From The Tan Yard To The White House, by William M. Thayer (Third Edition, Illustrated), 1886 📜🇺🇸🏛️

$55.00

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This listing is for a vintage 1886 edition of "From The Tan Yard To The White House," a biography of President Grant by William M. Thayer.

This volume, the Third Edition, offers a historical glimpse into the life and achievements of one of America's most celebrated military leaders and presidents, presented with a decorative binding.


2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

"From The Tan Yard To The White House" tells the story of President Grant's life, from his humble beginnings in a tannery to his rise as a general in the Civil War and his eventual journey to the presidency.

The biography explores Grant's character, his military strategies, and his political career, offering a narrative that was popular with a 19th-century American audience.


3. About the Author ✍️🏛️

William M. Thayer was a prolific American author, known for writing popular biographies of prominent figures for a general audience. His achievement was in making historical narratives accessible and engaging for a broad readership.

Thayer's biographies, including this one on President Grant, were widely read and contributed to the public's understanding of American history and the lives of its heroes.


4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 1886, this book belongs to the post-Civil War era, a time when the lives of national heroes like President Grant were of great public interest.

The book is a tangible document of that period, reflecting the public's fascination with narratives of success and leadership. The decorative binding is a fine example of popular publishing aesthetics in the late 19th century.


5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is for an enthusiast of American history, a scholar of the Civil War era, or a collector who values a book for its historical content. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who appreciates a vintage biography as a window into the past.


6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1886 edition of "From The Tan Yard To The White House" is a fine item for enthusiasts of American history.

Its value is not in its rarity but in its historical content and its aesthetic appeal. The book’s decorative red cloth binding is a charming example of late-19th-century book art. 

This book is 139 years old as of 2025.


7. Condition 🔎📚✨

  • This book is a used hardcover edition with a decorative red cloth binding.

  • The binding shows visible wear consistent with its age, including rubbing, scuffing, and some discoloration to the boards.

  • The pages are age-toned but remain clear and legible.

  • A key condition note is that there is one ripped page, as depicted in the photos.

  • There are no personal inscriptions or markings.

  • This item came from a local estate sale and was in the previous owner's home office for many years.


8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

  • This book was originally published in 1885 and became a popular title for Thayer, who was known for his biographies that often focused on a person's rise from humble beginnings.

  • Ulysses S. Grant died in 1885, a year before this edition was published.

  • The book was published in London by Hodder and Stoughton, highlighting the international interest in American historical figures during this period.

  • The phrase "From the Tan Yard to the White House" became a common way to describe Grant's life.


9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

  • Author: William M. Thayer

  • Publication Date: 1886

  • Edition: Third Edition

  • Publisher: Hodder And Stoughton

  • Place of Publication: London

  • Illustrator(s): Uncredited (but illustrated)

  • Unique Provenance: None.

  • Book Cover Type: Hardcover with decorative gilt stamping.

  • Genre: Biography, Non-Fiction, History.

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