LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2006 Dec Signature Civil War Auction #642  / 

25416

Early Custer Albumen Print By Brady

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,125.00 USD Estimated At:4,500.00 - 5,500.00 USD
Early Custer Albumen Print By Brady
<B>Exceptional Early Custer Albumen Print By Matthew Brady Showing Custer With Confederate Lt. Washington And A Freed Slave Boy.</B></I> This 3" x 3" image is a variant of a fairly well known field portrait showing Custer early in the war. It is mounted to a 5" x 4" card to which is affixed a late 19th century manuscript caption. Here the future slayer of Sioux is shown with a Confederate prisoner to his right and a contraband ex-slave between their feet. Custer and the rebel officer had been friends before the war and it was natural to have had this photo taken when the opportunity presented itself. The caption reads, "<I>AN ODD GROUP (1862) Photographed by Brady at Harrison's Landing, after the Battle of Malvern Hill. Subjects, Lieut. Washington, known better as 'Jimmy', Captain, afterwards General Custer' and a 'Ward of the Nation'. Washington, (son of Colonel Lewis W., of John Brown fame) was an Aide on Gen. Johnston's staff, and was captured in carrying dispatches. He and Custer had been classmates and warm friends at West Point at the beginning of hostilities. The artist has set before them the cause of the separation. Custer died, like the gallant soldier he was, at the massacre of Little Big Horn. Washington is living, near Pittsburgh.</B></I>" The subjects jokingly referred to this image a "both sides of the cause". From an old family album. Stains and fading, a smoothed fold along lower portion of the image. Good condition. Ex. William Turner, author of <I>Even More Confederate Faces</B></I>.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Small Flat (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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