George Armstrong Custer: His Personal Monogrammed Lap Desk. This well-used desk may have accompanied Custer on a num...
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Description
George Armstrong Custer: His Personal Monogrammed Lap Desk. This well-used desk may have accompanied Custer on a number of military campaigns. It descended through the family of "Captain Jack" Crawford, a famous figure of the Old West who became Chief of Scouts for the U.S. Army. According to family tradition, it was presented to Crawford, along with a pearl-handled revolver, by Elizabeth Custer in appreciation of an ode to Custer written by Crawford.Crawford, known as the "Poet Scout of the Black Hills," published one of the first such tributes after Custer's death. He was second in command of scouts during Crook's campaign, and succeeded Cody as Chief of Scouts in August, 1876. An enthusiastic, if not terribly gifted, poet, Crawford was a great admirer of Custer and one of the founders of Custer City, Dakota Territory. Elizabeth Custer was known to bestow items which had belonged to her husband on friends and admirers, and this gift to Crawford was much in character.
Crawford's grand-daughter, Irene Rockhart Shortz, loaned this desk and fourteen other items that had belonged to Captain Jack to an exhibit at the Fort Bliss Museum in El Paso, Texas. A copy of the receipt for those items is included with the lot. Also included is a family genealogy tracing the descent of the desk and gun through the family to Charles Mandeville, who in 1988 sold the pieces to firearms dealer John Gangel who, in turn, sold the desk to Western dealer Brad Witherell. It has since been owned by two private collectors. We include five pages of photocopy documentation The walnut desk has what is clearly an original brass plate reading "G. A. C." inset into the lid. Dimensions of closed desk: 13.5" x 9" x 6".
Condition: It is in very good condition, displaying good indications of longtime use. One brass strip is missing from the front, as shown in the photo, but could be easily restored.
Auction Info
2025 October 24 - 25 Americana & Political Signature® Auction #6324 (go to Auction Home page)
Bidding Begins Approx.
September
29th
Monday
Auction Dates
October
24th-25th
Friday-Saturday
Proxy Bidding Begins Approx.
5 Days
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: N/A
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 73
Auction Type
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Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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