Albumen Photograph Signed

Rome: Henri Le Lieure, 1878. First edition. Framed. Very Good. ALBUMEN PHOTOGRAPH OF GRANT IN MILITARY DRESS, SIGNED BY GRANT ON THE PHOTOGRAPHER'S MOUNT. A very handsome bust-length portrait of Grant taken by photographer Henri Le Lieure during Grant's visit to Rome in 1878. Signed "U.S. Grant" in ink on the original mount beneath the photograph.

A handwritten note on the paper backing of the frame reads:

"This photograph was autographed by U. S. Grant in April 1878 at the home of Dr. Charles McMillan, Counsel General (Great Uncle of Eunice) in Rome, Italy. Dr. McMillan had served as Medical Director on Grant's staff throughout the Vicksburg Campaign."

The frame, with the seal of "The Dayton Company Picture Galleries Minneapolis", on the backing likely dates from early-mid 20th century. (The Dayton Company was a celebrated Minneapolis department store in Minneapolis from 1911-1962, ultimately serving as the parent company for Target.)

Grant visited Rome on his hugely successful post-presidential world tour. "Grant traveled aboard a government vessel.. as the representative of his country, an emerging power in the world." In Rome he was granted an audience with both Pope Leo XIII and King Umberto I. "Grant wasn't fazed that a king and a pope vied for his company." (Chernow, Grant, pp. 871-73).

With printed credit of the photographer ("H. Le Lierue, Phot. / Rome, Place Mignanelli") printed beneath the photo. Henri Le Lieure (1831-1914), was a French-born photographer based in Italy who took photographic portraits of some of the most famous people of his day.

Size: Mounted image = 4x5.75 in; with mount = 6.5x8.5 in. Rome: H. Le Lieure, 1878. A few stray spots to image, beginning of Grant's "U" a little faint, probably due to trouble getting the ink to flow. An elegant, stately image documenting an important event in Grant's post-presidential career, with large (three-inches long) presentation signature by Grant.