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