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George Custer and Grizzly Bear Autographed Photograph, 

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:25,000.00 USD Estimated At:30,000.00 - 40,000.00 USD
George Custer and Grizzly Bear Autographed Photograph, 

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Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
an albumen photograph of George Custer with the first grizzly bear he killed during his expedition to the Black Hills, August 7, 1874, signed below the image With My Compliments G.A. Custer and in pencil on verso J.H. Beard. From left to right, are Indian Scout Bloody Knife, Lieut. Col. George Custer, Private John Noonan, and Captain William Ludlow.

According to the consignor, this photograph was presented to James Henry Beard (1811-1893), an American artist who specialized in portraits as well as animal and genre paintings. He painted portraits of several leading men of his time including Custer. Katz (1985:104) illustrates a photograph of Custer and an elk he killed on the same expedition, with a presentation inscription to Beard. 6" x 8", matted and framed, 16" x 20".

An exceptional Custer rarity, this image is primarily known as a stereograph, issued by Illingworth after his return from accompanying the 1874 Expedition into the Black Hills. While Illingworth apparently carried cameras for both stereo negatives and larger format plates on the expedition, this image appears to be an enlargement from the original stereo negative. 

Condition: Even toning; scattered stains on image and margins; Custer signature bold and clear.