Grant Album by (GRANT, Ulysses S. -- Portraits) - 1885

New York: Adolph Wittemann, 1885. Hardcover. Wide 64mo. Red cloth, heavily embossed in black. (12pp, rectos only), accordion style. Full-page illustrations. Very good. First edition of this foldout booklet of superb sepia-tone artist's renderings of twelve different scenes from Grant's life, likely published shortly after his death to capitalize on the sentimental surge which followed that July 23rd event. The images are titled "Ulysses S. Grant" (suit and tie head-and-shoulders portrait set within oval), "Grant's Birthplace at Point Pleasant," "Bombarding the Outworks of the City of Mexico from a Belfry, in 1847," "Battle of Shiloh," "Marching Into Vicksburg," "Surrender of General Lee," "Inauguration as President of the United States," "Presentation to the Emperor of Japan, Tour of the World," "A Reminiscence of Long Branch," "Genl. Grant Leaving His N.Y. House for the First Time After His Illness in April 1885," "Genl. Grant at the Drexel Cottage, Mt McGregor" and "General Grant's Funeral Procession Passing Up Fifth Avenue." This complete set, including the decorative front and rear booklet cover, has been separated at each accordion fold, archivally free- floated and artfully arranged symmetrically and asymmetrically against a backdrop of glazed red and gold 19th century marbled paper and framed in a modern 3/4" wood and gilt frame with total dimensions of 16" X 20". This set is nigh impossible to find in choice collector's condition. Given its delicate nature, it's invariably found in seriously damaged and/or partial condition, with plates missing -- making this complete, clean and remarkably handsome full set quite exceptional. The unusual and tasteful presentation, with these marvelous images seeming to hover above the marbled paper backdrop, allows one to view the complete collection as it's never been seen before.