Title:
Ulysses S. Grant Civil War-Era Military Rank Autograph Cut - "U. S. Grant / Maj. Gen." - Union General and 18th President - PSA/DNA Certified Authentic - Certification No. 85947450

Description:
An exceptional authentic autograph cut of Ulysses S. Grant, one of the defining military and political figures of nineteenth-century America. The period paper bears Grant's handwritten signature, "U. S. Grant," followed on the next line by the military rank "Maj. Gen." A further abbreviated pen flourish or notation appears beneath. Because the surviving cut does not preserve a date or surrounding document text, the precise date and original document from which it was removed cannot be established from the artifact alone.

The inclusion of Grant's military rank makes this considerably more evocative than a simple signature cut, directly associating the autograph with his celebrated military career. Grant rose rapidly through the Union command structure during the Civil War, becoming a major general before ultimately being promoted to lieutenant general and placed in command of all Union armies in 1864. 

The autograph is presented beneath a striking wartime photograph of Grant standing in military uniform beside a tree at a Union encampment. The black presentation mount provides strong visual contrast with the light-colored original paper, while the tall PSA encapsulation creates an especially attractive display combining an original Grant autograph with Civil War imagery.

The paper exhibits expected age-related toning and minor discoloration consistent with a nineteenth-century manuscript fragment. Grant's brown-ink signature and rank remain clear and visually appealing.

Historical Context:
Ulysses S. Grant was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio, on April 27, 1822, and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1843. He served with distinction during the Mexican-American War before resigning from the Army in 1854. When the Civil War began in 1861, Grant returned to military service and rapidly emerged as one of the Union's most successful commanders. 

Grant's victories at Fort Donelson and later Vicksburg established his national reputation. Following further success, President Abraham Lincoln elevated him to lieutenant general in March 1864 and entrusted him with command of the armies of the United States. Grant subsequently directed the coordinated campaigns that relentlessly pressured Confederate forces during the final phase of the war. 

His place in American history was permanently secured at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Grant. The surrender represented the decisive collapse of the Confederacy's principal eastern army and became one of the defining moments marking the conclusion of the Civil War. 

Grant's military fame subsequently carried him into national politics. Elected president in 1868, he served as the 18th President of the United States from 1869 to 1877. His administration confronted the immense challenges of Reconstruction, and Grant supported federal efforts to protect the civil and political rights of African Americans, including enforcement efforts against the Ku Klux Klan. His presidency also encompassed the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment and the establishment of Yellowstone as the nation's first national park. 

Authentication & Encapsulation:
The autograph has been authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA. The certification label identifies the piece as "CUT ULYSSES S. GRANT PSA/DNA CERTIFIED" and designates it "AUTHENTIC AUTO." The visible PSA certification number is 85947450.

The protective holder preserves the original manuscript cut while allowing Grant's signature, military rank, and accompanying photographic presentation to remain clearly visible. PSA/DNA authentication provides important third-party verification for an autograph associated with one of the most consequential American figures of the Civil War and Reconstruction eras.

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer's request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional "Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate" signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
Ulysses S. Grant occupies the rare historical position of having played a central role in both the military preservation of the Union and the political reconstruction of the nation after the Civil War. Particularly appealing here is the presence of "Maj. Gen." beneath his signature, giving the autograph a direct military association beyond that of an ordinary presidential signature cut. Combining an original nineteenth-century Grant autograph, his handwritten military rank, dramatic Civil War imagery, and PSA/DNA authentication, this is a compelling display piece for collectors of Civil War history, Union generals, American presidents, and important nineteenth-century autographs.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.