"U.S. Grant, President U.S." Oval Portrait, Engraved by A. B. Walter, Published by J. C. McCurdy, after a Photograph by Ulke

Presented is an oval presidential portrait of Ulysses S. Grant, engraved by A. B. Walter, after a photograph by Henry Ulke. The mezzotint was published by J. C. McCurdy & Co., in Philadelphia. It was likely issued in a series of presidential portraits, as similar portraits of Lincoln, Washington, and Vice President Colfax appear in other collections and catalogues. 

The mezzotint engraving presents a formal, dignified likeness of Grant, in the grand manner of nineteenth century presidential portraiture. Set within an oval frame, Grant is pictured in full bust, with a resolute expression on his face. He is formally dressed in a suit and vest, with a bow tie, crisp white shirt, and his pocketwatch chain visible. He is seated in an ornate wooden chair, with heavy draped curtains behind him. To the far right is a background visage of the White House, with the Potomac River running behind it. 

Born in Ohio in 1822 and educated at West Point, Ulysses S. Grant served with distinction during the Mexican-American War. With the outbreak of the Civil War, he returned to military service and quickly rose through the ranks thanks to his strategic aggressiveness and ability to coordinate large-scale operations. His victories at Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga established him as one of the Union’s most capable commanders, and in 1864 President Lincoln elevated him to General-in-Chief of the United States Army. Grant’s campaigns against Robert E. Lee culminated in the surrender at Appomattox Court House in April 1865. As an American hero, Grant was later elected the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877), working to implement Congressional reconstruction, remove the vestiges of slavery, and reform civil service.

CONDITION:

Near fine condition. Mezzotint engraving. Oval engraved portrait. Clean paper. Several small splits in paper edges, small and faint foxing marks in the outer margins, none affecting image or text. Faint rectangular plate mark. Titled  "U.S. GRANT/ President U.S." at bottom center. Printed along oval bottom margins, "Photo by Ulke” at left, “Published by J. C. McCurdy & Co. Philadelphia” at center, “Engd. by A. B. Walter” at right. All of the titles are within a faint gray oval border. 

Archivally framed in a custom decorative wooden frame, with acid-free gray mats, and UV Conservation Clear glass. 

Framed Dimensions: 15 1/2" H x 33" W x 1" D.