Description:

THE FLAG THAT DRAPED THE COFFIN OF PRESIDENT ULYSSES S. GRANT
A presidential relic of great historical importance, the 38-star American flag that was brought to the deathbed of President Ulysses S. Grant immediately after his passing and which remained with him, at times covering his coffin, until the late hero's remains were delivered to City Hall in New York City for public viewing. Believed to be produced by Cheney Brothers in Manchester CT, the largest silk manufacture in the country at the time, this screen printed flag, 45.25 in. x 31.25 in. (sight), is a two-sided silk flag, set in a contemporary black wood frame, with period written letter of presentation from the Reverend, and undertaker, who prepared Grant's body for burial. At the lower right corner of the frame appears the letter of presentation from this undertaker Rev. Stephen W. Merritt, Jr. (1833-1917). The presentation reads, in full: ‘Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Aug. 27th 1885 This will certify that the flag in Mrs. H. H. Hathorn's possession is the flag used to cover the body of Genl. Ulysses S. Grant at Mt. McGregor, from July 23rd 1885 to Aug. 5th 1885. [Signed] Stephen W. Merritt New York City To Mrs. H. H. Hathorn Saratoga Springs, N.Y.' Beside this presentation is a smaller, much later typed attribution, ca. 1920s, taped to the flag: ‘This flag was on the casket of General Grant. Please note that it has 38 stars.' As expected, the flag has numerous splits and stains with one interior chip flipped and revealing the much brighter underside of this flag, Rev. Merritt's handwritten presentation note bears some stains and tears, but generally the entire presentation is generally very good condition. An explanation of the association of these individuals follows. After a long and distinguished career as the commanding general of the U.S. Army during the Civil War, Acting Secretary of War, and two terms as President, Grant discovered he had throat cancer in 1884. He was given a mountaintop cottage in upstate New York and relocated there, immediately commencing the writing of his memoirs as a means to provide funds for his wife and family after his passing, at the same time, he was making plans for his ultimate demise. Haunted by the very 'public' degradation of Abraham Lincoln's body post-mortem, and having developed a suspect opinion of embalmers due to countless amateur grifters attempting to defraud the government by offering their illegitimate services on the grounds of fresh battlefields during the Civil War, he was hoping his body would be carefully embalmed ‘for burial until pleasant weather in the fall' as he wrote in a letter to his son several days before his death. Grant succumbed to cancer on July 23, 1885. Grant was literally ‘placed on ice' in a patented ice-cooled coffin obtained in Saratoga Springs, NY, until Merritt, summoned by Frederick Grant, arrived from New York late the same evening with a cadre of assistants. Merritt and his firm were considered the preeminent morticians in the country. After Grant's body was prepared, it was placed in an elaborate coffin sealed with an airtight glass cover, and this flag was draped above the coffin as mourners passed the body which remained in the cabin at Mt. McGregor, until August 4, 1885, when Grant's body was transported to the State Capitol in Albany NY, and then to West Point, ultimately arriving at City Hall in New York City on August 5, 1885, at which time this flag was replaced with a more elaborate example. However, the catafalque constructed for use at Grant's cabin, and from which this flag was suspended at times, was also used in New York. The recipient of this flag, who received it only 19 days after Grant's burial in New York, was the wife of prominent Republican U.S. Representative Henry H. Hathorn (1813-1887), a businessman living in Saratoga Springs, close to Mt. McGregor, and owner of the Union Hotel there. Most importantly, in 1884 it was Henry Hathorn who donated the cottage at Mt. McGregor for Grant's use, completely explaining Merritt's thoughtfulness in giving Mrs. Hathorn this flag. This is a presidential relic of the first order, worthy of conservation and display in a place of honor. Due to the delicate condition of this silk flag, we adamantly suggest this item to be picked up in-person for transport. If the purchaser prefers to ship this item, it is required that the customer will arrange shipping of their own accord, and assume full responsibility for the safeguarding during shipping, and ultimate condition of item upon receiving. One of the most important presidential relics that we have encountered.

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March 27, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000