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Home > Collecting George Armstrong Custer - Killed At The Battle Of The Little Big Horn 1876
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Collecting George Armstrong Custer - Killed at the Battle of the Little Big Horn 1876 by Nancy Hendrickson
General George Armstrong Custer was an enigma. He was a practical joker who frequently disregarded orders, but a strict disciplinarian when it came to soldiers serving under him.
He loved the ruggedness of the frontier West but adored attending New York theatres. He admired Indian warriors like Crazy Horse but went into battle to destroy them.
Custer was a gambler who hated addictions. He worshipped his wife, Libbie, but flirted with every woman he met.
General George Armstrong Custer graduated from West Point during the opening months of the Civil War, became a bonafide hero, and a general at age 23. After the War, he was sent West where he was known as a renowned Indian fighter. He was reckless and brash, and utterly fearless in battle. He died at the Little Big Horn in June of 1876 in a battle with Crazy Horse, Gall, Sitting Bull and approximately 2,000 Cheyenne and Lakota Sioux warriors. He was 36 years old.
More than anything, Custer wanted to be remembered. Today, you'll find places named for the Civil War hero, like Custer County, South Dakota, and Custer, Michigan. However, it's doubtful the general himself would have ever dreamed that a whole field of collecting would spring up around him. Today, Custer collectibles are hot ticket items. If you want to own something that was actually his, be prepared to pay dearly for it. A brief signed note can go for as much as $15,000. However, you can get started in collecting Custer for far less.
A favorite collectible is the Custer doll produced by Marx. A doll in good condition, with its original box, equipment manual and accessories (hats, sword, binoculars, etc) sells for $200.00 to $300.00. But if you're willing to settle for less than mint, you may pick up a scratched, dirty version without accessories for about $25.00.
Hundreds of books have been written about the Boy General, one of them by Custer himself. An 1874 first edition of his book, "My Life on the Plains", sells for about $1600.00. You can pick up a first edition of Libbie's "Boots and Saddles" for about $250.00. Even books autographed by Custer biographers like Lawrence Frost can cost over $100.00.
Postcards of the Little Big Horn Battlefield from the early part of the 20th Century sell for about $7.00, while a copy of Custer's personal guidon (flag) is $40.00. The New York Life Insurance Company even used Custer's last battle as the theme for a 1935 ad. The ad recently sold for $80.00. Even a piece of wood from Custer's Monroe, Michigan house has sold for over $100.00.
If you want a memento from the Little Big Horn Battlefield itself, you'll have to buy it from someone who found it prior to the battlefield becoming a National Monument. Recently several relics (found in 1902) from the battlefield were sold for $1200.00. Of course, as with all collectibles, you'll want to buy from someone who guarantees authenticity.
Want to get started in collecting Custer, but are on a small budget? Be on the look out for a Custer Budweiser beer tray that sells for $40.00, a Danbury Mint bronze Custer medallion for $50.00, or a Custer decanter for $10.00. Want an elongated Custer penny? It's only $1.25.
Custer may not approve of all the ways he's remembered, but one thing is certain - he IS remembered.
About the Author
Nancy Hendrickson is a freelance writer and book promotion expert. Discover more about her writing at http://www.nancyhendrickson.com
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