| VERY RARE and wonderful, original, 1876 CDV Photograph of General George Armstrong Custer taken in March 1876 by Joseph M. Mora of New York. This important historical Photograph measures approx. 2 1/4" x 3 1/8" and is mounted on its original Photographer's card mount. The image is a striking, 3/4 length portrait of General Custer in full dress uniform, his dress helmet under his right arm and wearing on his face a strange, somewhat quizzical yet somehow mournful expression. This photograph was taken at the Photographer’s studio in March of 1876 - just 3 months before the fateful day on the Little Big Horn - and was among the last photographs taken of this legendary commander of the 7th U. S. Cavalry. In the years following Custer’s demise, Mora published various CDV and Cabinet Card images taken from this original 3/4 length portrait but examples of this highly sought after photograph is exceptionally rare in its original format. We will not attempt here to recount the storied life of this larger than life American Military Legend - those interested can simply "Google" the name "George Armstrong Custer" and the search engine will return 243,000 web sites where his tale is told. Hardly a year has gone by since his death that there hasn’t been another book published on some aspect of his life and loss.
This VERY rare and very desirable, original CDV Photograph is in outstanding condition. Both the Photo and Card Mount are clean and crisp and stunningly beautiful.. The Image exhibits razor sharp focus, strong contrast and deep, rich tonality. The CDV (along with the Kit Carson CDV also being offered in this week's eBay Auction) were very well preserved in an CDV Album. The original owner clipped the corners of the Card Mount and trimmed the bottom edge of the CDV for insertion into the Album - the trimming at the bottom edge removed the Photographer's imprint. The trimming at the bottom corners and at the bottom and left hand edge have affected the image area. The left hand edge is VERY slightly touched by the trimming and the bottom edge trimming has resulted in loss of approx. 1/4” of the image area. The Card Mount is crisp with sharp edges. The back of the card has a period, manuscript inscription at the top that reads “Battle of the Little Big Horn June 25, 1876. Genl. Custer & all his regiment were destroyed.”. There is also a contemporary newspaper clipping giving the “Indian account” of Custer’s final moments. We have seen a number of images taken from this photograph and other portraits taken at this same sitting by Mora - they all tend to be faded and / or degraded to a greater or lesser extent. We have never come across another example that even comes close to exhibiting the rich tonality and strikingly strong contrast seen in the photograph offered here. A VERY rare and stunningly beautiful, 1876 CDV Photograph of General George Armstrong Custer and a fantastic addition to any collection!!! This outstanding and historically important image is sold here, as always, without reserve and with the confidence that it will attract the serious attention it justly deserves!!!
Overseasshippping is extra and cost will be quoted at bidders request. Massachusetts residents must add 5% sales tax. Insurance is required on all Domestic Shipping and not available on International Shipping.
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ATTENTION FRIENDS!!!
We are pleased to announce the start up of a second weekly auction by WALNUTTS2!!!
The next generation of NUTS have decided to take a crack at listing some of the hundreds of items that we have accumulated over the past 28 years.
Click Here to See What WALNUTTS2 is Offering in this weeks Ebay Auction!!
Rest assured that WALNUTTS2 will be offering the same high standard of customer service and 100% unconditional satisfaction guarantee that you have found here in our weekly auctions.
The "young'uns" will be starting off slow as they learn the ropes but we ask that you support them as you have supported us over the past 10 years!!
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