FIRST EDITION OF CUSTER'S CLASSIC ACCOUNT OF MY LIFE ON THE PLAINS, IN ORIGINAL CLOTH

CUSTER, George A. My Life on the Plains. Or, Personal Experiences with Indians. New York: Sheldon, 1874. Octavo, original blue cloth, gilt buffalo-head cover motif. Housed in a custom clamshell box. $4800.

First edition of this classic of western Americana, illustrated with eight full-page wood-engravings by A. Roberts, including a portrait of Custer and four portraits of chiefs, a very nice copy in the original cloth.

Originally serialized in Galaxy magazine between 1872-74, Custer's fascinating autobiography of life as a cavalryman fighting Native-American tribes on the plains appeared in book form only two years before his last stand at Little Bighorn. Introduced by his sketch of the landscape and speculations on the history and nature of the "Indian," Custer's narrative begins with the expedition of Major-General Hancock in the spring of 1867 and ends with the Washita campaign on the frontiers of Kansas. Copies also found in green, russet and maroon cloth: no priority established. Howes C981. Graff 961. Luther 7. Rader 1011. Jones 1566. Eberstadt 121:97. See Hamilton I:1265. Owner ink signature.

Only light scattered foxing, cloth with mild toning to spine, slight rubbing to spine ends, gilt bright. A lovely copy.