MYSTERIOUS LOVE LETTER SIGNED “MACK X” WRITTEN TO GENERAL GEORGE A. CUSTER RECEIVED THE DAY AFTER HE STARTED HIS LITTLE BIG HORN CAMPAIGN.

3 pages, small 8vo, no place, (but sent via railroad post on the Pennsylvania RR New York to Washington route, and then on the Chicago and Grand Rapids RR), May 14, 1876. The writer frantically pens “Why don’t you write? Even if you were starting out on a march, I should think you might with a pencil send a mark even, to so true a friend as I am to you – You talked about postal cards – Even they would have been welcome. I am left in the dark with regard to your movements. All I hear is what I see in the papers – little enough for a hungry friend. Wherever you are send a letter to me directing it to me if you choose (It will be safest of course) right away – but write do, and wherever you are, may God have you in His holy keeping”. With orig envelope marked “Personal” directed to “Genl Geo A. Custer/Fort Lincoln/Dakota Territory”, with post marks of the aforementioned railroad post offices and stamped “MISSENT” by the Chicago & Grand Rapids, whose post mark gives the date of May 18. It was on May 17 that Custer and his men rode out from Fort Abraham Lincoln, making the five week march to the banks of the Little Big Horn River in Montana, where they would meet their bloody end. This letter would seem to give support to claims made by Custer’s fellow officers that he engaged in extramarital affairs. It is difficult to put any other construction on so ardent a plea for communication, and the suggestion that sending it directly to the writer would be safest, perhaps keeping it out of the hands of a jealous husband or disapproving parent! Custer would never live to read this letter, leaving us with the unpleasant certainty that it was subsequently opened and read by his famously devoted wife. PROVENANCE: General George A and Elizabeth Custer, Margaret Flood (Libbie Custer’s personal assistant), Spink Smythe, Lot 1090, August 22, 2012. CONDITION: Cracking starting at folds. Small holes at fold junctions in all pages, otherwise very good. 48441-14 (3,000-5,000) – Lot 2218

Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - August 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	2218	$1,111.50	MYSTERIOUS LOVE LETTER SIGNED “MACK X” WRITTEN TO GENERAL GEORGE A. CUSTER RECEIVED THE DAY AFTER HE STARTED HIS LITTLE BIG HORN CAMPAIGN. 3 pages, small 8vo, no place, (but sent via railroad post on the Pennsylvania RR New York to Washington route, and then on the Chicago and Grand Rapids RR), May 14, 1876. The writer frantically pens “Why don’t you write? Even if you were starting out on a march, I should think you might with a pencil send a mark even, to so true a friend as I am to you – You talked about postal cards – Even they would have been welcome. I am left in the dark with regard to your movements. All I hear is what I see in the papers – little enough for a hungry friend. Wherever you are send a letter to me directing it to me if you choose (It will be safest of course) right away – but write do, and wherever you are, may God have you in His holy keeping”. With orig envelope marked “Personal” directed to “Genl Geo A. Custer/Fort Lincoln/Dakota Territory”, with post marks of the aforementioned railroad post offices and stamped “MISSENT” by the Chicago & Grand Rapids, whose post mark gives the date of May 18. It was on May 17 that Custer and his men rode out from Fort Abraham Lincoln, making the five week march to the banks of the Little Big Horn River in Montana, where they would meet their bloody end. This letter would seem to give support to claims made by Custer’s fellow officers that he engaged in extramarital affairs. It is difficult to put any other construction on so ardent a plea for communication, and the suggestion that sending it directly to the writer would be safest, perhaps keeping it out of the hands of a jealous husband or disapproving parent! Custer would never live to read this letter, leaving us with the unpleasant certainty that it was subsequently opened and read by his famously devoted wife. PROVENANCE: General George A and Elizabeth Custer, Margaret Flood (Libbie Custer’s personal assistant), Spink Smythe, Lot 1090, August 22, 2012. CONDITION: Cracking starting at folds. Small holes at fold junctions in all pages, otherwise very good. 48441-14 (3,000-5,000) – Lot 2218 Auction: Fine Art, Asian & Antiques - August 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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MYSTERIOUS LOVE LETTER SIGNED “MACK X” WRITTEN TO GENERAL GEORGE A. CUSTER RECEIVED THE DAY AFTER HE STARTED HIS LITTLE BIG HORN CAMPAIGN.