Featured in this lot is a first edition set of, "Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant - Vol. 1 & Vol. 2" by Ulysses S. Grant, copy-righted in 1885 by Ulysses S. Grant and press of J.J. Little & Company. The memoirs of the great general and 18th U.S. President are often mentioned as one of the finest American works of nonfiction and were written from his sick bed the last year of his life. Focusing mainly on his military career during the Mexican War and the Civil War. The book is a fascinating read with a rare fold-out of the terms of surrender given to Robert E. Lee. Volume I shows an excellent etching of Grant as a young soldier with Volume II having a portrait of the more known image of President U.S. Grant. These memoirs were written from the fall of 1884 and completed four days before his death July 23, 1885. The set was published by Grant's friend, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) under the alias of Twain's nephew, Charles L. Webster. This is a wonderful excellent quality set and a must own for any Civil War enthusiast. Mark Twain established his own publishing firm in 1885, and placed his niece's husband Charles Webster in charge. The first books published by Mark Twain's firm were these Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, and Twain's own Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Gold gilt medallions are stamped in blind to front and rear boards of both volumes. The front board commemorates the Joint Resolution of Congress, December 17, 1863, and the rear board commemorates the Mississippi River. Original publisher's gold gilt lettered green cloth hardcover stamped with central gold gilt medallions on both covers, gold gilt lettering spines stamped with 4-star shoulder straps gilt, and floral printed end papers. They show good condition overall with slight wear present from their age and use over the years, but no signs of major damage is noted. Interior pages are in good condition with little to no foxing or staining present. They measure 9 3/8" L x 6 3/8" W x 1 3/4" D and have a collective weight of 5 pounds and 8 ounces.*