Ulysses S. Grant, Salesman’s Sample of Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

Description

Offering a scarce Salesman’s Sample of The Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.Certainly the most celebrated memoir to emerge from the aftermath of the Civil War.

For several years, rumors circulated that Ulysses S. Grant did not write his memoirs; many thought them the work of Mark Twain. That rumor is untrue. The original handwritten manuscript survives today and is entirely written in Grant’s hand.

Originally, Grant had written some articles about his battle experiences for The Century Company. He wanted to continue that path, hoping to create a memoir of his military career.

Grant had agreed to–but had not signed–a contract with The Century Company. That plan would give Grant ten percent of all sales after the book was finished. When Mark Twain heard about the offer, he was appalled by how little money Grant would get from the sales of the book. He believed he could offer Grant a better deal. Grant eventually signed with Twain’s firm, Charles L. Webster and Company. 

Twain’s created a unique marketing plan that would reach millions of veterans. Ten thousand agents blanketed the North, each following a script Twain had written. Many of these salesmen were veterans, some dressing in their Civil War uniforms.

This team initially sold 350,000 two-volume sets; with prices ranging from $3.50 to $12; depending on the binding. 

The cover of the Salesman Sample is the usually-seen green cloth boards and cover design we see on the trade edition. The inside front board has spine samples of the dark leather and tan editions, while the inside rear board has the same in green cloth; each bears the famous “shoulder strap” that marks the set.

The Sample Book includes two engraved frontispieces; a few other full-page illustrations; Grant’s Preface; and sampling of various chapters from the two volumes. This is followed by blank pages for noting the subscribers to the set, with place for the names, addresses, and number of volumes purchased.

This copy is especially exciting as it was used for the intended purpose. There are seven full leaves of names, addresses, and orders for the different binding styles.

Ownership signature of Helen F. Finch of Bath, NY on both flyleaves strongly suggests that the canvasser was in this case a woman. A genealogical map of her family shows no husband or children, which suggests that Finch, who was nearing 50 years old at the time this book was published, was making her own living, at least in part, as a book salesperson.

A very good copy in the publisher’s green cloth. Some soiling and spotting to the cloth, and gentle wear to extremities, with two small repairs to the spine, but a sound, crisp, internally clean example of this canvassing book.

GRANT, Ulysses S. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant [Canvassing book / Salesman’s Sample / Prospectus]. New York: Charles L. Webster, 1885. First Edition. Octavo, 72pp. (in various paginations), illustrated.