AMER AUGUST 2015
The live portion of this session begins on Monday, August 24, 2015.
FABULOUS ARCHIVE OF GENERAL EDWARD GODFREY INCLUDING REGULATION INDIAN WAR ERA SPRINGFIELD ARMORY STAFF AND FIELD OFFICERS SWORD AND UNPUBLISHED PHOTOGRAPHS OF GODFREY.Included in this archive from direct family descent are three fine cabinet cards of Godfrey with various ranks. There is a rare copy of General George A. Custer and the Battle of Little Big Horn with a presentation to his nephew and niece, "The Alts", with large autograph as Brigadier General. Another rare pamphlet also written by Godfrey (whose family this descended) included in this grouping "Some Reminiscences, Including the Washita Battle, November 27, 1868." There is a poem written by Billy Alt found in this book with historic events taken from the text which ends "The Indians fought for their right. That's what made the awful fight. Custer was shot in temple and breast. After the battle he was laid to rest." There is a wonderful photograph of Godfrey on horseback at the 50th Anniversary of the Little Big Horn fight, June 25, 1926 inscribed on verso "Meeting former hostiles on Custer Ridge...for greetings and exchange of presents to cement perpetual peace. General Godfrey presented an American flag to Sioux Chief White Bull who presented the General with the blanket seen on his saddle." There are a fine group of photographs from Ft. Riley, Kansas which General Godfrey was in charge circa 1900 showing such images as "Indian curiosities" and "views of Cavalrymen on horseback jumping obstacles", and another on a bucking bronc. Godfrey pioneered "rough riding" Here. There are numerous other family photographs all the way up to WWII. There are also family letters to Rudolph Alt of varying content, including an invitation of our poem writer Billy Alt's high school commencement at Robert E. Lee High School in 1931, Jacksonville, FL. The sword in this grouping is a regulation Model 1860 staff and field officers sword, marked "US Armory, Springfield, Mass" and inspected "CCS". I'm not sure why Godfrey would have had a staff officer's sword as he was a Cavalry officer, but this sword does date his time as a officer in the 7th US Cavalry. SIZE: CONDITION: Condition of paper items good to fine overall. Some photographs have light fading, various defects and blemishes. Pamphlets are both complete with chipping and staining and Washita bent and creased.. Sword is very good overall, markings all discernible, 31" blade is overall grey with staining and pitting. Nickle plated scabbard has freckling with areas of pitting. Grip is sound and solid with complete sharks skin and wire wrap. Brass exhibits mustard colored patina. Archive should be examined by interested party. 44797-24 JS (6,000-8,000)