How to Sell Your Ulysses S. Grant Autograph
To auction, sell or consign your Ulysses S. Grant autograph, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).
Remembering Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th president of the United States between 1869 and 1877. Before his presidential term he attended West Point and served in the Mexican-American War. He joined the Union Army at the start of the American Civil War in 1861 and led the Vicksburg campaign. He was promoted to Lieutenant General by President Lincoln and later to Commanding General of the United States Army.
Grant was unanimously nominated by the Republican Party as the presidential candidate and was victorious in the 1868 election. As president he helped preserve the economy following the civil war, established the Department of Justice and prosecuted the Ku Klux Klan. Grant’s presidential ranking has increased since the mid-1990s with critics highlighting his protection of Native Americans and African Americans.
Here Are Some Ulysses S. Grant Autographs We’ve Sold:
Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston autograph letter signed ”J.E. Johnston”, dated 16 May 1865 from Charlotte, North Carolina, written soon after being released on parole by the Union Army. Also with three endorsements signed by Ulysses S. Grant, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and General John Schofield. Letter is addressed to General Schofield, just two weeks after Johnston surrendered his Army of Tennessee and still active rebel troops. After both parties agreed to military surrender, Johnston and Schofield negotiated supplementary terms, including his soldiers’ release, and here asks permission to travel to Canada. Reads in part: ”…As soon as the terms of ‘the convention’ are executed in Georgia & Florida, I wish to go to St. Catherine’s Springs, Canada. Will you be so kind as to inform me if I will be permitted to travel directly from Virginia to that point? Most respectfully / Your obt sevt / J.E. Johnston”. General Schofield endorses the letter on 16 May, the same day, ”Respectfully refered [sic] to Lt. Gen. Grant. J M Schofield Maj Genl.” Grant then endorses the letter on 22 May: ”I am very much in favor of granting Gen. Johnston’s request and if authorized will telegraph the authority at once. U. S. Grant Lt. Gen.” Lastly, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton seeks approval from President Johnson: ”Submitted to the President who directs that the permission asked by General Johnson [sic] be granted with the condition that he does not return to the United States without leave of the President. Edwin M Stanton Sec of War.” Letter on one page measures 8” x 6.25”, matted with a portrait of Johnston to an overall size of 12.5” x 18.25”. Light toning and folds throughout; very good to near fine. A U.S. Grant autograph is rare dated during the Civil War or directly relates to the Civil War as this one does. Sold for $12,500.
U.S. Grant autograph letter twice-signed, dated 21 April 1863, while Grant served as Major General for Union forces. The 18th U.S. President writes to Colonel C.A. Reynaud in Millikins Bend, Louisiana in full: ”In view of the expected fall in the river, and possibly the difficulties that may be encountered in reaching Walnut Bayou through the Canal, I think it advisable to put through at once all the barges now ready to receive freight &c. to Cooper’s Plantation. Should the water there fall the distance would not be great to haul supplies to reach the bayou which will be navigable with a great fall of water. Should the river still keep up the barges can be brought back to the mouth of the canal to receive their loading. / Respectfully / US Grant / Maj. Gen.” In a postscript Grant adds, ”This should not be delayed longer than to-morrow / U.S.G.” Five days prior, Grant had ordered Union troops under fire in Vicksburg to meet up with his troops at the West side of the Mississippi. This move confused the Confederate Army and led to a victory at the Battle of Champion Hill on 16 May 1863. 2pp. letter is written in ink on one page, front and back. Measures 8” x 10”. Folds, dampstaining to top right corner and archivally repaired tear at left edge. Overall very good condition with bold and legible writing. A U.S. Grant autograph is rare dated during the Civil War. Sold for $3,781.
Ulysses S. Grant Signed CDV Signed as Lieutenant-General
Rare CDV photograph signed by Ulysses S. Grant, while he served as Lieutenant General of the Union army in the Civil War. Grant held that rank from 1864 until 1866, when he was appointed as the first four star Major General in U.S. history. Grant signs “U.S. Grant, Lt. Gen U.S.A” to bottom of sepia-toned CDV taken by T.F. Saltsman studios in Nashville, TN. Measures 2.5″ x 4″. Light soiling, else near fine. Grant’s signature remains bold. Sold for your $3,702.
Ulysses S. Grant autograph letter signed, dated 14 August 1861 at the beginning of the Civil War, and a week after Grant’s promotion from Colonel to Brigadier General. Grant writes from his Headquarters at Ironton, Missouri to a Mr. Crane in Pilot Knob, MO, in full, ”Sir: Send me six teams this morning. Let them come by the depot and put in two sacks of corn each. / Respectfully / U.S. Grant / Brig. Gen. Comdg”. Letter measures 7.75” x 9.75”. Professionally restored along folds, overall in very good condition. A rare letter by Grant during the Civil War, likely one of his first as General. Sold for $3,000.
Ulysses S. Grant Twice Signed Cabinet Photo
Ulysses S. Grant cabinet photo signed “U.S. Grant” on both the border underneath the photo and verso. Grant’s autograph inscription in sharp black ink to verso reads in full, “With the compliments of U.S. Grant / New York City / September 30th 1882 / For / Mr. Edward Bok / Brooklyn, N.Y.” Upon the photo’s border is printed, “Houseworth, Photographer, 12 Montgomery St., San Francisco”. Measures 4″ x 6.5″. Foxing and a minor dent to the right edge, else near fine. Sold for $2,623.
U.S. Grant Autograph on a CDV Photo – With PSA/DNA COA
U.S. Grant autograph on a carte de visite photo, ”U.S. Grant / Lt. Gen. U.S.A.” upon the image. CDV by Brady measures 2.5” x 4”. Toning, slight peeling to upper right corner and evidence of prior mounting to verso, else near fine. Accompanied by PSA/DNA COA. A U.S. Grant autograph is pricey when signed on a CDV. Sold for $2,500.
Ulysses S. Grant Signed Cabinet Photo w PSA/DNA COA
Cabinet card signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, taken in Rome where he traveled after serving two terms as President. Grant signs his name to the bottom of the card, which features a sepia toned photograph of himself, taken at the “H. Lieure” studio in Rome. Measures 4.25″ x 6″. Trimming to upper and lower borders, otherwise near fine with a bold signature by Grant. With a COA from PSA/DNA. Sold for $1,808.
U.S. Grant autograph letter signed as General in Chief of the U.S. Armies. Letter, datelined City Point, Virginia, 19 January 1865 instructs General Edward O.C. Ord to appoint a Commission to investigate the controversial ”Norfolk trade” where officers under General Dix were illegally selling trade permits on the blockaded port. On Headquarters Armies of the United States letterhead, it reads in full: ”General, your private note of this date is rec’d. I think your suggestion to appoint a Commission to investigate into the Norfolk trade matter a good one. I could not suggest better names for the Permission than those named by you. Go on with it and lose no time in having the Commission commence its work. Very respectfully / U.S. Grant / Lt. Gen.” 2pp. letter measures 5” x 8”. Written neatly in slightly faded black ink. Framed to a size of 10.75” x 22”, with second page directly under the first. Tape markings to bottom of first page and top of second. Letter possibly mounted to board within frame. Chipping to frame. Overall very good condition. A U.S. Grant autograph is rare dated during the Civil War. Sold for $1,720.
1883 General Ulysses S. Grant ALS
Ulysses S. Grant autograph letter signed. Datelined New York City, 8 October 1883 & signed, “U.S.Grant.” 2pp. letter addressed to Theodore Lyman, asks that he send a request to the Peabody Educational Fund Trustees, on Grant’s behalf, for a copy of a recent resolution. The Fund was founded to promote the “intellectual, moral & industrial education in the most destitute portion of the Southern States.” Grants writes “I am sorry to trouble you with this, but I will do as much for you some time if it comes in my way.” 4.75″ x 8″. Fine. Sold for $1,507.
U.S. Grant Autograph on a Naval Appointment as President — 1873
U.S. Grant autograph on a document as President. He signs ”US Grant” above his printed title ”President of the United States of America” at the top edge. Dated 25 March 1873, the document appoints Charles T. Forse to the position of Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. The appointment took effect on 11 February 1873 and is made official here. A blue Department of the Navy seal is affixed to the bottom half atop an etched nautical scene. Single page document is countersigned by George Robeson as Secretary of the Navy. Measures 15.75” x 19.75”. Some creasing and staining across top right. In good to very good condition. Bold U.S. Grant autograph. Sold for $1,343.
U.S. Grant Autograph on a Presidential Pardon From 1869 — During His First Year in Office
U.S. Grant autograph on a document, “U. S. Grant” as President. Dated 25 October 1869, document commands the secretary of State to pardon one Robert Wilson. Partially-printed single-page document measures approximately 6.5″ X 7.5″. Attractively matted and framed beside a handsome etching of Grant to an overall size of 19.5″ x 11.25″. Near fine. Dark U.S. Grant autograph. Sold for $1,249.
U.S. Grant Autograph on an Extradition Order as President
Ulysses S. Grant document signed as President. Dated 2 February 1877, the document calls for the extradition of Thomas Ellis. It reads in part: ”…Ellis charged with the crime of Forgery in the third degree…a fugitive from the justice of the United States, in the Dominion of Canada…take and hold him in your custody and conduct him from…the Dominion of Canada…into the United States, there to surrender…to the proper authorities of the State of New York…” A pearl color seal is affixed to the signed page. Partially printed document runs 2pp. on card-style stationery, measuring 10.75” x 15.5”. Separation along fold lines, archivally mended. Very good condition. Included is a 9” x 12” etching of Grant. Rare U.S. Grant autograph. Sold for $1,220.
President U.S. Grant Autograph on His Print
Ulysses S. Grant print of himself, signed by the President, ”U.S. Grant”. Printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Image measures 4” x 5.5”. Nice U.S. Grant autograph. Near fine. Sold for $1,000.
Ulysses S. Grant Check Signed as President — With Letter of Provenance From Grant’s Son
Ulysses S. Grant check signed as President, dated 28 November 1874. Composed on Grant’s personal check (with ”U.S. GRANT” printed on the side), the President signs ”U.S. Grant” upon this check payable to Grant’s longtime friend, Judge John F. Long for $367.50. Check is framed with a 1895 letter signed by Grant’s son, Frederick, who writes, ”…I was away from my father so little during his lifetime, that I have received very few letters from him. All of these…have long ago been given away, and now I am without such mementoes even for my own family. I have nothing but a few old checks with my father’s autograph upon them. I would be glad to cut the autograph off of one of these, and send it to you…” Check measures 7.25” x 3”, handsomely framed with an engraving of Grant and Frederick’s letter, to an overall size of 23.25” x 18”. Bold U.S. Grant autograph. Very good to near fine condition. Sold for $1,000.
To auction, sell or consign your Ulysses S. Grant autograph, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).
FAQs
How do I consign or sell my Ulysses S. Grant autograph?
It’s never been easier to sell your Ulysses S. Grant autograph at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and images of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with a free appraisal.
This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement for your review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following the auction.
What factors determine the value of a Ulysses S. Grant autograph?
The value of your item can vary based on condition and subject matter of the document.