Conserving the Desk That Helped Tell Ulysses S. Grant’s Story
Background shows a sneak peek of the conservation treatment of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s desk. / Image of Grant writing his memoirs in July 1885 courtesy of the Library of Congress.
The Henry Ford has quite a collection of objects used by historical figures on display. There are many more gems safeguarded in storage with equally fascinating stories. One such piece is Army General and 18th U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant’s secretary desk. Henry Ford was interested in collecting items tied to people he admired. That is why he purchased Grant’s desk from renowned antique dealer Israel Sack of Boston, Massachusetts, in 1930. The desk had passed down through the family of Grant’s wife, Julia, before making its way to the former president. Grant used this desk while writing his “Personal Memoirs” in 1884 and 1885. Recently, the desk has made its way to the museum’s conservation lab for a bit of TLC and a taste of the limelight.
Everyday parlor inside Ford Home, 1943. The two-volume “Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant” are visible on the book stand’s third shelf. / THF255616
Located within Greenfield Village is the birthplace and family home of Henry Ford. Inside the everyday parlor are both volumes of Grant’s “Personal Memoirs,” demonstrating just how much Ford admired Grant.
In dire straits while battling throat cancer, the former president began writing his autobiography, which also included wartime stories, in 1884. Grant’s friend, the famous author Mark Twain, negotiated a generous two-volume book contract for Grant, which provided financial security for the family after his passing in a cottage on Mount McGregor in upstate New York on July 23, 1885.
View of the desk before conservation.
Created in New York between 1750-1790, this secretary desk is a superb example of Chippendale-style furniture, complete with ball-and-claw feet, a signature element of Chippendale furniture. Various compartments and a mirrored door hiding more storage inside the desk are perfect for keeping papers and small items organized.
Condition issues: alligatoring of the surface, old repairs, unstable front foot.
Under conservation lab lighting, condition issues were noticeable. The wood finish had fine cracks across the surface that looked like scales. Known as alligatoring, this is caused by deterioration of the old finish. As noted in its conservation record, the desk had been previously restored to fill losses with wood pieces, stabilize a loose claw foot, attach felt to the drop-front and create new metal hardware on the drawers. However, all of these previous restorations needed rejuvenation.
Once the desk was opened, other condition issues were revealed: stains from a liquid substance darkened the wood, the replacement felt was in poor condition and a braided cord around the mirrored door was detaching.
Interior view showing the braided cord once attached to Gen. Grant’s uniform and now around the mirrored door.
View during shellac removal with the right side of the drop-front stripped.
The first order of business was an overall dust removal by vacuum before tackling the deteriorating finish. Using ethanol and fine steel wool, the entire desk surface and compartments were stripped of the old shellac to expose the wood’s natural color. The brass hardware was removed for later polishing. Though not original, the hardware had been attached to the drawers long enough to create "ghosts," which in turn adds to its history.
What’s behind the mirrored door?
Secretaries such as the Grant desk often have a secret compartment. Behind the mirrored door and beyond the small drawer is what appears to be a false back. Sure enough, removing all the pieces reveals a secret section with four labeled drawers. A stack of stationery belonging to Grant’s second son, known as “Buck,” is in the bottom drawer.
Letterhead stationery found in secret compartment that belonged to Ulysses S. Grant Jr. (Buck).
Application of the gel stain on the desk surface.
After the desk had been fully cleaned, it was time to enhance the wood finish by brushing on layers of a gel stain. All the brass hardware was polished and sprayed with lacquer for protection. Each piece was reattached to its proper place. A new braided cord was added to the mirrored door since the original was in such poor condition. The latter was placed aside for safekeeping. New felt was applied to the desk, creating cutouts for the hinges to easily move without snagging as the drop-front is let down.
Views of the Grant desk after conservation.
Now that the wood finish is more even, the metal sparkling and the loose components stabilized, the story of this desk and its illustrious owner can be shared with the public. Maybe you, too, will write your own memoirs on a desk like this one!
Views of desk after treatment / THF196161, THF196160, THF196153, THF196156.
Marlene Gray is senior conservator at The Henry Ford. Special thanks to Charles Sable, curator of decorative arts, for his knowledgeable input.
