"ADDING GREATLY TO THE CUSTER LEGEND": TENTING ON THE PLAINS, 1887, GENERAL CUSTER IN KANSAS AND TEXAS

(CUSTER, George A.) CUSTER, Elizabeth B. Tenting on the Plains or General Custer in Kansas and Texas. New York: Charles L. Webster, 1887. Octavo, original pictorial brown cloth, patterned endpapers. $950.

First edition of Elizabeth Custer's famous defense of Custer, with engraved frontispiece portrait and 28 illustrations, including 22 full-page and two maps, a splendid copy in original cloth.

Perhaps General Custer's most fervent defender, Elizabeth Custer wrote this book as part of a trilogy of autobiographical works focusing heavily on her husband. In Tenting on the Plains, which has been credited with "adding greatly to the Custer legend," Elizabeth Custer described "their marriage and experiences in the Civil War and subsequent Indian campaigns" (ANB). First edition: issued in brown cloth (this copy) and green cloth, no priority established. Frontispiece with facsimile inscription as issued below the image. Rader 1009. Eberstadt 105:101, 122:86.

Mere trace of edge-wear to bright cloth. A handsome copy in fine condition.