Military

1237. Marquis de Lafayette Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in French,

signed “Lafayette,” one page both sides, 5 x 7.75, November 30, 1823. Untranslated handwritten letter by Lafayette. In fine condition, with a small repaired area of seal-related paper loss to the integral address leaf. Starting Bid $200

1238. Frederick W. Benteen Signature. Military officer (1834–1898) who first fought during the American Civil War and later commanded soldiers during the Indian Campaigns and Great Sioux War against the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne. Benteen is best known for being in command of a battalion of the 7th U. S. Cavalry at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in late June 1876. Rare ink signature, “F. W. Benteen,” on an off-white 3.75 x 2.75 sheet clipped from a military document dated circa October 1875. In fine condition. Encapsulated in a PSA/DNA authentication holder. Starting Bid $200

1239. George A. Custer Autograph Document Signed. Civil War–dated ADS in pencil, signed “G. A. Custer, Brig. Genl., Commdg. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Div. Cavalry Corps,” one page, 7.5 x 5.25, July 10, 1863. Scarce, early handwritten document from Boonsboro, Maryland, just days after the Battle of Gettysburg. In full: “Rec’d from William Miller (2) two tons of hay for the war of the United States.” Penned on the reverse of a fragment of a document from the 3rd Division, Cavalry Corps. In very good to fine condition, with overall creasing, and a stain and hole to the upper left corner. Accompanied by a custommade quarter-leather red presentation folder and an engraved portrait. A rare autograph penned on the battlefield by one of the heroic commanders of the Civil War.

Appointed Brigadier General on June 29, 1863, for his gallant conduct at Aldie, Custer went on to serve with distinction through the Gettysburg and Virginia campaigns. From July 9 to 11, he was engaged in fighting in and around Falling Water, Maryland, with important and heavy skirmishing taking place on the date of this document. Kirkpatrick had ordered advanced troops to move toward Falling Water, but only Custer obeyed the order. As a result, some 1,200 rebel soldiers were captured. Starting Bid $300

Army Patch. An embroidered 2.25˝ x 3˝ patch of the First United States Army insignia, presented with a World War II-dated TLS signed “O. N. Bradley,” one page, 6 x 8, Headquarters Twelfth Army Group letterhead, October 21, 1944, addressed to Elmer Pearson, in full: “I am enclosing a shoulder patch from the First United States Army to add to your collection. This was the patch worn by Army Troops in their assault on the beach of Normandy.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope. Starting Bid $200

tograph. Iconic vintage matte-finish 13.75 x 10.75 photo of Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz signing the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri on September 2, 1945, signed and inscribed in the lower border in black ballpoint, “To Arthur A. Stark and his children—with best wishes, C. W. Nimitz, Fleet General, US Navy.” A preprinted signature, inherent to the image, appears over the document. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200