CUSTER, GEORGE
An early portrait of Custer at West Point, including a slip with his bold signature. Oval salt print, mounted to card, circa 1861. 7 1/4 x 5 1/4 (18 x 13) cm; And a slip (all of this at one time framed together), with Custer's manuscript reading "G.A. Custer / Cadet U.S.M.A. / May 1861." The slip 2 x 7 inches (6 x 20 cm). the slip toned and with irregular edges, the photograph with foxing to image, light dust soiling, clipped corners, remnant of mount at top left.
A portrait of General Custer in his final year at West Point in 1861, appearing quite cocksure in his cadet uniform. Custer famously graduated last in the class of 1861; he finished 34th in a class of 34 graduates; 23 classmates dropped out for academic reasons, while 22 classmates had already resigned to join the Confederacy. Upon graduating, Custer immediately entered the Civil War as a second lieutenant and was also assigned to the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment. By July 1861, a month after graduating, he was with his regiment at the First Battle of Bull Run. Such early items are scarce.
Sold for $8,960
Estimated at $2,000 - $3,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
CUSTER, GEORGE
An early portrait of Custer at West Point, including a slip with his bold signature. Oval salt print, mounted to card, circa 1861. 7 1/4 x 5 1/4 (18 x 13) cm; And a slip (all of this at one time framed together), with Custer's manuscript reading "G.A. Custer / Cadet U.S.M.A. / May 1861." The slip 2 x 7 inches (6 x 20 cm). the slip toned and with irregular edges, the photograph with foxing to image, light dust soiling, clipped corners, remnant of mount at top left.
A portrait of General Custer in his final year at West Point in 1861, appearing quite cocksure in his cadet uniform. Custer famously graduated last in the class of 1861; he finished 34th in a class of 34 graduates; 23 classmates dropped out for academic reasons, while 22 classmates had already resigned to join the Confederacy. Upon graduating, Custer immediately entered the Civil War as a second lieutenant and was also assigned to the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment. By July 1861, a month after graduating, he was with his regiment at the First Battle of Bull Run. Such early items are scarce.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, Nov 25, 2025
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle’s November 25, 2025 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps attracted strong global interest, delivering outstanding results and a sale total that surpassed expectations.
Highlighting the sale was a rare 1910 Doves Press tercentenary edition of Shakespeare’s Sonnets printed on vellum that soared past its estimate of $10,000-15,000 to achieve $60,800 amid trans-Atlantic bidding. One of just 15 copies produced on pure vellum, it is an exceptional example of the press’s vellum printing with an attractive binding by Charles MacLeish, enhanced by the distinguished provenance of Cortland Bishop and John Saks.
Also featured was a remarkable 1528 manuscript detailing the colonization of Venezuela by a contingent of conquistadors backed by the German financiers who supported Charles I of Spain in his bid for the Holy Roman Empire. Far outperforming expectations, it realized $35,200.
A standout among several intriguing American flags was a large and rare 21-star United States flag in the unusual Great Star pattern, circa 1819, which more than doubled its $10,000-15,000 estimate, selling for $35,200. The flag was created to commemorate Illinois’s admission to the Union in 1818.
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
