Seven Mile Funeral Cortège of Genl. Grant in New York August 8, 1885, contains 79 photographs documenting the death and funeral of Ulysses S. Grant.
The album (38 x 47 cm) is bound in brown leather with “Seven Mile Funeral Cortege of Genl. Grant in New York August 8, 1885” stamped in gold on the front cover. The album was published by the U.S. Instantaneous Photographic Co. in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1886. The album begins with portraits of Grant and various family members before delving into scenes from “General Grant’s Last Days” at Mount McGregor, New York, and subsequent funeral preparations. Numerous images show scenes from the day of Grant’s funeral including views of the catafalque and funeral parade through New York City. Many images exhibit signs of extensive manipulation through retouching and montage work. Also of interest is a page in the middle of the album explaining how the U.S. Instantaneous Photographic Company would be placing albums at several hotels around New England “for free inspection of the public” while admitting “first-class advertisements” at premium costs.
