GUN SPRING 2018
The live portion of this session begins on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
GENERAL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER, HALF-PLATE AMBROTYPE FROM LIFE, SEPTEMBER 1863, THE FINEST AND MOST ICONIC AND HISTORIC OF ALL CUSTER PHOTOGRAPHS.This ambrotype was taken in late 1863 by photographer William F. Browne who worked as a camp photographer with Custer's 5th Michigan Cavalry and later did military photographs for Alexander Gardner. Mark Katz in his 1985 text Custer in Photographs shows another view from same sitting which unfortunately is cracked into about 10 pieces in a slightly different pose, property of the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institute. This particular image was bought in 1971 from Major Brice C. Custer from direct Custer family descent. This is without a doubt the finest, unique hard image of Custer known and has no peers. Contrast and surface are excellent with just minor haloing around edges. SIZE: PROVENANCE: George Armstrong Custer, 1863; Nevin Custer, 1876; Custer family descent to Brice C. Custer; Greg Martin, San Francisco, 1971. CONDITION: Very fine overall. Half-plate ambrotype, glass plate measuring 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" is still housed in its orig veneered case with gold trim. Hinge is broken, but can easily be repaired. 52863-16 JS (40,000-60,000)