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George A. Custer

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:NA Estimated At:NA
George A. Custer

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Auction Date:2020 May 13 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:15th Floor WeWork, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
General George A. Custer's circa 1870s thoroughbred racing saddle, measuring approximately 14.5˝ long, 10.5˝ wide, and 7˝ high, meticulously crafted with a vellum exterior. A passionate horseman, Custer owned and raced several thoroughbred horses in Kentucky; his best, Frogtown, had a great spring meeting at Lexington in 1872, winning the mile and a quarter and mile and three quarters dashes, both in record times. Custer decided to sell Frogtown in April 1876—two months before his famous 'last stand'—because his duty out West prevented him from 'giving so noble a horse the proper attention.' This sleek saddle, a scaled down version of the McLellan style of the Civil War, would have been a prized possession—as an expert cavalryman, Custer knew the value of a light and well-made saddle on the battlefield and on the racetrack. In very good condition, with overall wear and soiling.

This saddle is illustrated in Lawrence A. Frost's 1986 book General Custer's Thoroughbreds: Racing, Riding, Hunting and Fighting. A first edition of the book is included, inscribed by the author to the former owner of the saddle: "For Jim Strain, longtime friend and Custer buff who owns Gen. Custer's racing saddle—with all good wishes, Lawrence A. Frost." Also accompanied by a comprehensive provenance packet, detailing the unique history of this historic relic: the paperwork present includes family histories, letters, and documents concerning the saddle, which was obtained by James P. Strain circa 1928 from John Kirkpatrick, a descendant of the Custer family who possessed a trunk of family heirlooms. Based on correspondence within this folder, it appears that the saddle was exhibited at the International Museum of the Horse in the mid-1980s. An exceptional piece of Custer history, bringing to life the connection between his work as a cavalry officer and his passion as a racehorse enthusiast.