Sword Carried by Ulysses S. Grant to be Auctioned by Heritage!

DALLAS, TEXAS: A "Magnificent Sword For General Grant!" read the headline in the Richmond Examiner on April 16, 1864. "The Most Beautiful And Costly Sword Yet Manufactured In This Country," proclaimed the St. Louis Dispatch. Truly a national treasure, this silver and gold jeweled presentation sword owned by General Ulysses S. Grant is one-of-a-kind, the only such example of precious craftsmanship and historical significance in private hands.

"This sword, which hails from The Tharpe Collection of American Military History, was presented to the future 18th president of the United States by the citizens of Kentucky, who gave this token of their esteem to General Grant upon his promotion to 'General-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States' in 1864, a major turning point in the Civil War as Grant was being elevated to the same level of command as only George Washington had ever achieved," said Dennis Lowe, Director of Civil War Auctions for Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries. "Kentucky patriots raised money to purchase this unique and extremely valuable sword crafted by St. Louis silversmith and jeweler Henry Folsom."

"26 mine cut diamonds compose Grant's monogram, 'U.S.G.,' set upon a large amethyst surmounted by a gold sunburst," Lowe explained. "The sword is crafted of pure silver and gold with the silver grip in the form of the goddess Victory. Over the head of the goddess is an American eagle with wings spread. The sword is still in the magnificent original ivory mounted black japanned fitted case in which it was presented to Grant. The 33 inch blade is intricately etched and engraved with battle scenes which include a stand of arms, artillery firing, cavalry engagements as well as an infantry scene symbolizing Grant's command of the entire United States armed forces."

"Grant was fresh from victories at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge and was brought in from the west by President Lincoln and Congress to win the war that had torn the nation apart for three long years," Lowe said. "Within a year of Grant's promotion to General-in-Chief of the United States Armies, the Confederate Army led by Robert E. Lee surrendered and the war was over. America was once again united. This was the highest rank ever achieved by any American since the Revolutionary War when George Washington was appointed General-in-Chief, both of whom carried the fate of the country in their hands, both of whom became president of the United States after the war to heal and build a nation."

The Ulysses S. Grant Presentation Sword will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Civil War Signature auction, to be held on June 24, 2007 in Gettysburg, PA.

General Ulysses S. Grant Presentation Sword:
ESTIMATE: $2,000,000 - $2,500,000

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com.

Prospective consignors and sellers of political memorabilia, Americana, and related collectibles are invited to visit www.HA.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Dennis Lowe at DennisL@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Nicole Jewell at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272, or visit www.HA.com to order by email.