LOT #47104 |
Starting Bid: $1,000
Archive of Letters, Telegrams and Invitations Addressed to George A. Custer. ...
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Description
Archive of Letters, Telegrams and Invitations Addressed to George A. Custer. Approximately 37 letters, including seven war-dated letters, three telegrams, two printed invitations, and one handwritten invitation (from the Custers) spanning the years 1862 to 1869, with the majority of the letters dating from the years 1866 and 1867. Most are requesting favors or addressing routine military matters such as equipment and transport. A few letters with original transmittal covers, and additional covers that cannot be matched to their letters. Overall, the archive reflects Custer's celebrity status after the war and offers a glimpse into his social and professional spheres.Includes, of note:
Isaac Peckham Christiancy ALS. Four pages of a bifolium, 5 x 8 inches; Detroit; October 25, 1864. Christiancy, an influential Republican and Michigan Supreme Court Justice, sends his congratulations and good wishes on the occasion of Custer's promotion and recent successes while serving under Philip Sheridan during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. In very small part: "All the loyal North is proud of you and all rejoice at your promotion. What a history for a man of your age!...It is difficult to conceive of a prouder moment in the life of any man in ancient or modern times than you must have experienced when sent to present the trophies of the recent battle, to have it announced to you thus publicly that your services in the field were appreciated..."
Yellowstone Expedition Telegraph. One page with cover, 5 1/2 x 8 1/3 inches; received at "4 30 am Apr 28 [1873]" from the Assistant Adjutant General in St. Paul via Chicago, Illinois. The telegraph declines Custer's request for an ambulance to transport his sick men explaining that "The record of your regiment show that it is substantially armed with Sharps improved carbines a few other patterns being distributed in three troops for experimental trial on just such an expedition as you are going on..." He further denies his request that his battalion not be paid until May 8.
Charles H. Veil ALS. Three pages of a bifolium, 8 1/2 x 10 3/4 inches; San Francisco; March 18, 1866. Veil addresses the letter "Dear General" and sends news of the arrival of various regiments in California as well as mining prospects.
Condition: Usual mail folds, toning, and minor occasional separations at folds. Yellowstone Expedition telegraph has stray ink burn affecting a few words.
Provenance: Presented by Elizabeth Bacon Custer to May Custer Elmer; thence by descent and inheritance to our consignor.
Auction Info
2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts & Texana Signature® Auction #6328 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
February
26th
Thursday
10:50 am CT
Auction Dates
February
26th
Thursday
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2 Days
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(Lots 47001-47282) - 11:00 AM Central Time, Thursday, February 26, 2026.
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