AMER AUGUST 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, August 24, 2015.
PAIR OF RARE EUROPEAN VALOR AND SERVICE MEDALS PERSONALLY OWNED BY GENERAL GEORGE A CUSTER.This most interesting pair of medals was found in the same box with Custer's personal M.O.L.L.U.S. medal sold in our March 2015 rare firearms sale along with other personal medals of George and Libbie Custer. 1) Spanish military Medal of Valor, Discipline and Loyalty from Carlist Wars. 20.14gms - silvered brass and ribbon. 35mm. By: E. Falot (French maker) below bust and stamped with "C" on edge. Obv: Leftward facing Alfonso XSII. Rev: VALOR/DISCIPLINA/LEALTAD inside wreath with crown at top. Ribbon: Yellow with two 4mm red vertical stripes near edges. Ribbon Bars: Elgueta, Oria, Tolosa. Lightly worn with brassy color on the high-points and silver-colored fields. Suspension bar for ribbon has been bent. The original ribbon shows in a somewhat tattered shape with three bars and the original pin for suspension is missing. A scarce medal when signed by E. Falot and while not awarded to a particular soldier (as is typical of this type), the fact that this medal accompanies the General Custer-owned pieces, and may have some personal connection, makes it particularity intriguing. 2) 1854 British Crimean War Service Medal. 40.26gms - silver and ribbon. 36mm. By: W. Wyon (British maker). Obv: leftward facing crowned Victoria. Rev: Allegorical fame crowning soldier with laurel wreath; Crimea in left field. Ribbon: Light blue in center with thin yellow stripe at edge. Ribbon Bar: Sebastopol. Lightly polished, but remaining nearly fully detailed and re-toned nicely. The orig ribbon remains attached and aside from being moderately soiled remains in fine condition. Unmarked on the edge, thus withholding name of awardee. Overall, a charming example from this well-known conflict against the Russian Empire. A medal that raises more questions than it provides answers as it is part of an archive that was personally owned by General George Custer, but the reason for this particular medal's inclusion remains a mystery. While speculartory, a possible reason behind the inclusion of this medal alongside Custer's personal medals can be tied to General McClellan. During the Crimean War, the Army sent McClellan between 1853 and 1856 as an observer. During that time, he reported largely on the siege operations around Sebastopol. This work may have very well garnered him a medal of observation (differentiated from the other medals by the lack of edge engraving). Later in his military career, McClellan served as mentor for Custer - their mutual fondness being well documented. It's this affinity that leaves open the possibility that McClellan may have gifted the observers Crimean medal to Custer at some point, perhaps at his passing. SIZE: PROVENANCE: General George A and Elizabeth Custer, Margaret Flood (Libbie Custer's personal assistant), Spink Smythe, Lot 1075 and 1076, August 22, 2012. CONDITION: As described above. 48441-2 JS (1,500-3,000)