Presented is the First Edition of the "Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant", In Two Volumes, 1885, New York: Charles L. Webster & Company, Publishers. Volume I has a personal inscription from the first owner dated 1886. 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 Clemmons (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 boards commemorate the Joint Resolution of Congress, December 17, 1863, and the rear boards the Mississippi River. Original publisher's gold gilt lettered green cloth stamped with central gold gilt medallions on both covers, gold gilt lettering spines stamped with 4-star shoulder straps gilt, floral printed endpapers. These volumes are in good overall condition, scuffing observed to cover edges, gold gilt still bright and intact. Intact pages exhibit age tanning and foxing, no other obvious marring noted. Books measure 9.5"L x 6.5"W x 1.75"D approximately.*