My Life on the Plains; Or, Personal Experiences with the Indians by Gen. G. A. Custer, First Edition, 1874

Custer, General George A. My Life on the Plains; Or, Personal Experiences with the Indians by New York: Sheldon and Company, 1874. First Edition. Octavo. Rebound in ¼ leather and cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt titles, and gilt tooling to the spine, and a new archival cloth slipcase inlaid with the original front panel. 

Presented is a first edition printing of My Life on the Plains; or, Personal Experiences with the Indians by General George A. Custer. The book has been archivally rebound in 1/4 brown leather and cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt titles, and gilt tooling to the spine. It is presented with a new archival cloth slipcase, inlaid with the original front panel’s buffalo head motif. A portrait of Custer begins the volume, with seven additional full page wood engravings by Roberts throughout. 

My Life on the Plains was first published serially in Galaxy magazine, starting in May 1872. It was then issued in book form by New York publishers Sheldon and Company in 1874. Covering the years 1867–69, Custer’s book tells of the Seventh Cavalry’s operations on the frontier during the period of most extensive military activity against the Plains Indians. Included in the book are his descriptions of the landscape and speculations on the history and nature of the "Indians." 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. This book is considered a "classic account of military operations against various tribes of Plains Indians in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas” (Encyclopedia of American War Literature, pg. 84.)

This is the only full-length book Custer published during his lifetime, issued just two years before his death at The Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876.  In his own time, he achieved much of his fame as a daring soldier by courting the media, interviews, and through his own published accounts of his adventures. After his death, his legacy was continued and defended by his wife, who wrote three books chronicling Custer’s life. 

CONDITION:

Very good condition. Octavo. Rebound in ¼ brown leather and cloth boards, with raised bands, gilt titles, and gilt tooling to the spine, and a new archival cloth slipcase inlaid with the original front panel with buffalo motif. Interior pages with some foxing to the first few pages, cleaner in later pages. Frontispiece portrait of Custer with tissue guard, with toning and foxing. Seven additional illustrations: "Santana, Second Chief of the Kiowas" pg. 43, "The Attack Upon the Train" pg. 65, "The Kidder Murder" pg. 77,  "The Battle of Washita" pg. 161, "Lone Wolf, Head Chief of the Kiowas," pg. 193, "Yellow Bear, Second Chief of the Arapahoes," pg. 212,  and "Little Raven, Head Chief of the Arapahoes." pg. 220.

Book Dimensions: 9 1/4" H x 6 5/16" W x 1 5/16" D.
Slipcase Dimensions: 9 11/16" H x 6 9/16" W x 1 13/16" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.