Elizabeth B. Custer Letter & Copy Photograph
Appraised Value:
$1,000 - $1,500
IMAGE: 1 of 3
Appraisal Video: (1:00)
Appraised By:
C. Wesley Cowan
Arms & Militaria, Books & Manuscripts, Decorative Arts, Folk Art, Photographs
Cowan's Auctions, Inc.
Appraisal Transcript:
GUEST: I bought it here in town at an antique mall.
APPRAISER: It's in fact not an original photograph, and it was probably printed not at the time of Custer's life, but, judging by the photographic paper, about 1900.
GUEST: I see.
APPRAISER: That's not the important thing, though. The important thing is the letter that goes with the photograph, signed by Elizabeth B. Custer. After Custer was killed in June of 1876, Libby Custer spent the rest of her life defending her husband. I really sincerely believe that Libby Custer is as much responsible as anyone for the mystique that has grown up around George Armstrong Custer. I would say at auction, this would probably fetch between $1,000 to $1,500.
GUEST: Okay.
APPRAISER: Okay. So does that surprise you?
GUEST: No, no, I'm very pleased.
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