LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 June Civil War Grand Format Auction #663  / 

74180

Seventh Cavalry Regimental Badge and Custer ALS

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:4,500.00 USD Estimated At:18,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Seventh Cavalry Regimental Badge and Custer ALS
<B>Seventh Cavalry Regimental Badge Accompanied by Civil War-Dated Custer Autograph Letter Signed</B></I> "<I>G. A. Custer B. Maj. Gen</B></I>". One page, 7.5" x 4.5", Headquarters, 3rd Div Cav., January 5,1865, to jeweler Charles Tiffany of New York. The letter reads as follows: "<I>Messrs Tiffany& Co. Please make to the order of Col Hastings one of the 'Custer Badges' and oblige G. A. Custer B. Maj Gen</B></I>" Smith H. Hastings was commissioned into Company "M"of the 5th Michigan Cavalry in 1862 and was promoted through the ranks to colonel by December 17, 1864. He was wounded in June of 1864 at Trevilian Station, Virginia when Wade Hampton's Confederates surrounded the Michigan 5th Cavalry. In one of the bloodiest battles (and the largest all-cavalry battle) of the Civil War, the unit sustained over 400 casualties with the Rebels capturing nearly half of the regiment. The Confederates were victorious. <BR><BR>Along with this letter, offered here is this rare original medal created by Tiffany & Co. to Custer's exact specifications, just like the one commissioned for Hastings. Featuring an inverted five-point star with the numeral "7" and mounted on a modified Maltese Cross, "Custer" is printed on a blue inked background. The Michigan state motto "<I>Tuebor</B></I> " (meaning "I will defend") is inked along the bottom of the cross. In script, inscribed on the reverse is "Fred Riedel, Co C., 7th Mich Cavy". Wear to the original lacquered finish and a small chip in the central enameling does not diminish the quality and look of this amazing artifact. Representing one of the finest pieces of Seventh Cavalry history, Custer himself can be seen wearing an identical Seventh Cavalry Badge in a series of portraits taken by Matthew Brady in May of 1865.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Miscellaneous Collectibles, Smal (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
Sign In to Bookmark Lot