Gen Ulysses S. Grant Signs a Photograph for his Own Sister, in the Wake of Lee’s surrender at Appomattox

Grant is seen wearing his black mourning band for the assassination of President Lincoln.

This document has been sold. Contact Us

The best known photographs of Grant were taken by the Philadelphia photographer, Frederick Gutekunst. This is a CDV, 2 1/2 by 4 inches, with the backstamp reading F. Gutekunst, 704 & 706 Arch St., showing Grant in a full-faced portrait, dressed in his military uniform with buttoned vest and his hand inserted...

Read More

Gen Ulysses S. Grant Signs a Photograph for his Own Sister, in the Wake of Lee’s surrender at Appomattox

Grant is seen wearing his black mourning band for the assassination of President Lincoln.

The best known photographs of Grant were taken by the Philadelphia photographer, Frederick Gutekunst. This is a CDV, 2 1/2 by 4 inches, with the backstamp reading F. Gutekunst, 704 & 706 Arch St., showing Grant in a full-faced portrait, dressed in his military uniform with buttoned vest and his hand inserted in his pocket, and signed on the front by the General: "U.S. Grant, Lt. Gen. U.S.A. (United States Army)". Grant posed for Gutekunst in the spring of 1865, either in late April or May. In the photograph Grant is wearing a black mourning band around his left arm in remembrance of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, which occurred five days after Lee’s surrender at Appomattox.

Mary Frances Grant was the youngest child of Jesse Grant and Hannah Simpson. Born in 1839, she was 17 years younger than her brother, Ulysses S. Grant. In October 1863 she married Michael J. Cramer, who had a long career in the diplomatic service. The Cramers left descendants, and some of their family treasures came down through the family to this day.  This is Mary Grant Cramer's signed photograph of her brother, which we recently obtained with some other artifacts from those descendants. When she died in 1905, The New York Times noted in her obituary that "she was well known in religious and charitable circles."

Frame, Display, Preserve

Each frame is custom constructed, using only proper museum archival materials. This includes:The finest frames, tailored to match the document you have chosen. These can period style, antiqued, gilded, wood, etc. Fabric mats, including silk and satin, as well as museum mat board with hand painted bevels. Attachment of the document to the matting to ensure its protection. This "hinging" is done according to archival standards. Protective "glass," or Tru Vue Optium Acrylic glazing, which is shatter resistant, 99% UV protective, and anti-reflective. You benefit from our decades of experience in designing and creating beautiful, compelling, and protective framed historical documents.

Learn more about our Framing Services