1873 Ulysses S. Grant Inaugural Ball Invitation

1873, Invitation to the Inaugural Ball for President Ulysses S. Grant's Second Term. This beautiful printed invitation to the Presidential Inaugural Ball held on March 4, 1873, was for President Grant's second term, with his new Vice-President, Henry Wilson. This invitation measures 9.75" x 7.75," . At the top is an ornate American shield with a "G" and "W" monogram (for Grant and Wilson) in the center. Below the shield is a list of the Managers of the Ball, which reads like a "Who's Who" of 19th Century Washington, D.C. The names include Roscoe Conkling, Simon Cameron, Winfield Scott Hancock, Hannibal Hamlin, James Garfield, Chief Justice Chase, William T. Sherman, and others. A Very difficult to find in this exceptional condition and with the original envelope and seal on the reverse. Also includes a calling card from "The Secretary of War". Why this card was included we do not know, but assume that the invitation was sent to the recipient by William W. Belknap, the Secretary of War at the time, with his compliments.