Wife of President Ulysses S. Grant (1826–1902) and First Lady from 1869 to 1877. Autograph letter, in pencil, on both sides of one of her 3.75 x 2.25 personal calling cards, no date, but likely September 18, 1868. Mrs. Grant writes on behalf of her husband, most likely to General Cyrus Comstock. In full: “Genl. I wish you were not going away tomorrow. I want you to be here to help me with the little tea party Miss Shellman has a party on Friday & I know she will be so disappointed. The Genl. expected you to go with him to hear Bishop Simpson tomorrow evening & then I wish you were not going. You haven’t been at home hardly a day this summer.” In fine condition, with expected light overall soiling.
This letter was part of an archive of General Cyrus B. Comstock’s papers. On August 18, 1868, General Grant had invited Comstock to come to his Galena, Illinois, home and spend a month before returning with him to Washington at the end of September. On August 30th, Gen. Comstock telegraphed to Grant “Letter just received. I start tonight for Galena.” On September 18, 1868, Bishop Matthew Simpson of Philadelphia wrote Grant, “Your note, requesting me to deliver my lecture on the ‘Future of the Republic’ is just received. In accordance with your request, I will name to-morrow (Saturday) evening as the only time I shall be at liberty to do so, during my stay in Galena.” Evidently the offered letter was written on September 18 after Gen. Grant received the hand-delivered note from Bishop Simpson. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
(inquire for price)
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
