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LOT #42162 |
Starting Bid: $2,000
Ulysses S. Grant Autographed Letter Signed...
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Description
Former President Grant Writes His Daughter from St. Petersburg, Russia about His Travels in Europe During His World Tour
Ulysses S. Grant Autographed Letter Signed ("U.S.
Grant"). Four pages on two leaves, 4 1/2 x 7 inches; St.
Petersburg, Russia; August 7th, 1878.A personal letter from former President Ulysses S. Grant to his daughter Ellen Grant, about his world tour. He discusses his recent travels through Europe and reveals his upcoming travel plans. He writes, in full:
"Dear Daughter:
I thought your ma had written to you since our arrival here a week ago - but find she has not. I write to tell you that we are just as well as we can be, and are enjoying our travels as much as possible. But I long to get back to the states and to have a house of my own to get in to. St. Petersburgh is a beautiful city and we have had as cordial a welcome as possible. Tomorrow we go to Moscow, and the great National - or International - fair; then return here and go to Austria to remain several weeks - five or six. Our address there will be Vienna, care of the American Minister. But we will be most of the time in the Austrian Alps. After leaving Paris we passed through Holland, spending more than a week there by way of Hannover to Berlin, then by Hamburg - the most beautiful city in Germany if not on the Continent - to Copenhagen. We said (sic.) nearly a week at the latter place with your uncle Cramer. But your Aunt Mary was not there. She has however returned by this time. We then visited Norway, Sweden, and Finland. All these countries left a pleasant impression but home presents more attractions and I long to get there. Give our love to Algy and the babe who I suppose knows more by this time than any of the family althou [sic] he may not be able to say it quite so well - and our best regards to Mr. & Mrs. Satoris. Kisses for yourself from your Affectionate Pa & Ma.
U.S. Grant"
This letter delves into Grant's world tour that began shortly after his presidency in 1877. Grant discusses his welcomed stay in Russia and his upcoming travels to Austria, to his daughter Ellen. He writes of his enjoyable time spent in France, Germany, and Scandinavia - but reveals a yearning to be back home in the States.
Ellen ("Nellie") was Grant's only daughter of four children. She married Algernon Sartoris at the White House in 1874. The couple moved to back to Sartoris' native England and had four children with only three surviving into adulthood. Sartoris' heavy drinking and infidelity led the couple into an estranged marriage and by the late 1880s-1890s they were largely separated in practice. Nellie spent much of her later years apart from her husband, a distance that deepened following the death of their young son, Algernon.
Condition: Very good, overall. Minor staining to the first leaf. Slight separation to the integral fold, affecting some text, but not the legibility. Adhesive residue on the bottom margin of the recto on the second leaf.
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
June
19th
Friday
10:50 am CT
Auction Dates
June
19th
Friday
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17 Days
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(Lots 42001-42298) - 11:00 AM Central Time, Friday, June 19, 2026.
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