A Popular Life of Gen. George A. Custer by Frederick Whittaker, First Edition, in Original Boards, 1876

Whittaker, Frederick. A Popular Life of Gen. George A. Custer, Major-General of Volunteers, Brevet Major-General U.S. Army, and Lieutenant-Colonel Seventh U.S. Cavalry. New York: Sheldon & Company; Chicago and Cincinnati: A.G. Nettleton & Co.; St. Louis and New Orleans: O. Bryan, Brand & Co.; Boston: Crocker & Stickney; Philadelphia: H.W. Kelley; San Francisco: A. Roman & Co., 1876. First Edition. In original red cloth pictorial boards, titled and embossed in black and gilt to the front board and spine, blind embossed back board. Illustrated throughout. 

Presented is a first edition of Frederick Whittaker’s A Popular Life of Gen. George A. Custer, Major-General of Volunteers, Brevet Major-General U.S. Army, and Lieutenant-Colonel Seventh U.S. Cavalry. Written and published just months after Custer’s death at The Battle of Little Bighorn, Whittaker’s biography was the first authorized biography of the famous General. The book was published in December of 1876 by Sheldon & Company in New York. The book was in such high demand that it warranted additional publishers in Chicago, Cincinnati, St. Louis, New Orleans, Boston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, as seen on the title page. It is presented here in the original red cloth pictorial boards, titled and embossed in black and gilt on the front board and spine, and blind embossed on the back board. It is illustrated with twenty illustrations, including a frontispice portrait of Custer after J.C. Buttre. 

The book details events in Custer's life, including his experience in the American Civil War and his significant role in the Battle at Little Big Horn. Whittaker’s reporting was based on personal notes and papers made available to him by Custer’s widow, Elizabeth Bacon Custer. The figure that emerges from the biography is one of epic proportions. Whittaker created a lofty image of Custer as a fearless and brilliant soldier, unparalleled in his bravery, and “a great man, one of the few really great men that America has produced.” Importantly, Whittaker casts blame for the disastrous defeat of Little Bighorn on Major Marcus Reno, helping to uphold Custer’s reputation in death. Although incredibly biased in his coverage and conclusions, A Popular Life remains important as the first published authoritative account of Custer's life. 

CONDITION:

Good condition overall. In original red cloth pictorial boards, with black and gold embossed title, sword, flags, and decorative border to the front board, black and gold embossed title and decoration to the spine, and a blind embossed cavalry sword on the back board. Light fading to red at top of spine, with wear and bumping to corners. Interior pages have light toning and occasional spotting. Frontispiece illustration engraving of Custer by J. C. Buttre, with a tissue guard. 20 total illustrations. 648 pp. 

Dimensions: 8 1/2" H x 5 7/8" W x 2" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.