Danielle Linn, senior book specialist at Fleischer's Auctions, made an unexpected discovery while cataloging items once owned by Union Army General William Tecumseh Sherman. Among the items was a first edition of the 1885 memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, bound in rare calfskin. However, the real treasure was inside the book, where Linn discovered Sherman's personal notes and memories, including his first meeting with President Abraham Lincoln.
Sherman, known for his “March to the Sea” and his important role in the Civil War, was a close friend of Grant. Their memoir entries provide a unique insight into their relationship and the historical period. The memoirs are considered one of the best by a president or general, which makes this discovery even more significant.
The collection, which has never been offered for sale before, also includes Sherman's battle sword, his uniform rank insignia and his family Bible. The auction of these objects, scheduled for Tuesday, has sparked controversy as there is concern that these historic artefacts could end up in private collections, out of public view.
Despite this, the founder of the auction house, Adam Fleischer, has expressed his excitement about the find, calling it “the most important offering of Civil War antiques that has been sold in living memory recent”. The auction house estimates the entire collection could sell for more than $100,000, with online bidding already underway.
The Sherman House Museum in Lancaster, Ohio has been following the auction closely. The museum has raised about $90,000 in an effort to acquire the items and keep them available for public viewing. If unsuccessful, the museum hopes a private buyer will be willing to donate the items for display.
Regardless of the outcome, the discovery has been an exciting experience for Linn, who described it as “a real privilege to feel like a detective finding these clues and opening up and finding an American treasure.”
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