Custer's Last Flag Could Fetch $5 Million

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Jun 25th 2010 at 12:45PM

It was 134 years ago today, June 25, that George Armstrong Custer and his 7th Cavalry fought and were overwhelmed by Lakota Sioux and Northern Cheyenne at Little Big Horn River. There were no survivors among those who fought under Custer's direct command and very few artifacts remained on the field. But one relic, a cavalry guidon, or swallow-tail flag, was hidden under the body of a dead trooper and discovered three days after the battle by Sergeant Ferdinand Culbertson, who was assigned to a burial party. Sothebys New York will sell this flag in October in a sale titled: October 2010: Custer's Last Flag: The Culbertson Guidon from The Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Since 1895, the delicate silk flag has been preserved at the Detroit Institute of Arts. It had been given by Culbertson to Charles and Rose Fowler of Detroit in approximately 1880 and was purchased from Rose Fowler Reidel by a public contribution in 1895. The flag carries an estimate of $2 to 5 million and proceeds from the auction will be used by the museum for future art purchases. The guidon will be unveiled to the public in September.

"This immortal battle flag represents the spirit, the bravery and the tragedy of one of the most dramatic moments in American history," commented David Redden, Vice Chairman of Sotheby's. "Battle-worn and bullet-torn, the Culbertson Guidon conjures the ferocity of that terrible battle."

"The Detroit Institute of Arts has been a steward of this flag for more than 115 years," said Graham W. J. Beal, DIA director. "In 1895, the flag fit in with the wide range of artifacts collected and displayed at that time. It remains, without doubt, an important historical treasure, but has long since ceased to meet current criteria as a work of art. It makes sense for us to sell it for the benefit of the collection." According to an article in the Detroit News, the museum has not revealed any information on what objects might be bought instead. The flag itself will hopefully find a home in another museum's collection.

For more information on rare flags, check out our recent piece on the Stars and Stripes as folk art.

Tags: Battle of Little Big Horn, custer, custers last flag, custers last stand, george custer

Filed under: Auctions

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Reader Comments (Page 4 of 5)

FRED BRONSON Jun 28th 2010 7:54PM

WE SAY WE ARE SORRY, AND HAVE TO STEP AS IF WE ARE WALKING ON EGGS TO ILLEGALS WHO HAVE NO RIGHT TO BE HERE YET HAVE NEVER SAID PLEASE FORGIVE US FOR STEALING YOUR LAND, RAPING YOUR WOMAN AND CHILDREN, KILLING YOUR MEN, THERE IS SOME THING WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.
CUSTURD WAS NO HERO HE WAS A MURDER AND SHOULD NOT BE HONORED

Joe Jun 28th 2010 8:27PM

Wow Patrick, sounds to me like you must live some other place than the USA. I mean, if you actually live by what you say that is. After all, in YOUR eyes our founding fathers and the govenment of the US was and "probably today is" no different than Hitler. If I personally believed that I would have nothing at all to do with this country or anyone who did, but I don't believe anything close to that as you say you do. Maybe it's "ok" to turn a blind eye an only "talk" about how bad people are rather than doing something about it such as showing everyone who does matter to you how you wouldn't be ANY part of such people. Or is it that it's "ok" to get as much as you possibly can, do all the things you like to do in this country but only talk the talk of how terrible and bad these people and govenment are? Gee, if I beleived anything close to what you seem to, I would be on the very first plane out of here that's for sure! After all, never know it just might be you or your kind (whatever kind that may be) that this govenment decides to commit genocide on??? No, you can rest assured I would have nothing at all to do with anyone or anyplace that was like Hitler. Tell ya what, keep beleiving all your sad drivvel, how plain sadistic the US govenment was and most likely still is, how they tried to snuff out a whole race of people and while you're at all that, keep reaping the rewards this country and it's govenment make very possible for you to have ok. How do you sleep at night anyway, ya know living in a country that is no different than Hitler was??? The facts are Patrick, our govenment is now nor has ever been perfect, they've have and will do some things that will make most people very upset from time to time. but in no way, either in the past or the present has the US government gone the genocide way. Not against the Native American's, not against the black race, not against ANYONE! Maybe you're just a little confused? Maybe you need to look up the actual meaning of genocide? WHat Hitler did his best to do tot he Jews was genocide, what the US Government did to the N.A. wasn't, not even close. It was plenty of bad things but genocide is NOT one of them. Please excuse my typo's and mis spellings, I'm sure there are plenty.

mrloksmith Jun 28th 2010 8:24PM

this is american history this should be and bought by the american goverment and put in the smithsothian museum we spend more money on bs

MyKisa Jun 29th 2010 5:39AM

....great grand was born Jan of that year.....he sure was one very aware old man...

TMZ SUCKS AND IS ENTERTAINMENT FOR MORONS Jun 28th 2010 8:36PM

BULL!! YES, IT WAS GENOCIDE WHAT WE DID TO THE INDIANS...ARE YOU AN IDIOT OR WHAT????

TMZ SUCKS AND IS ENTERTAINMENT FOR MORONS Jun 28th 2010 8:43PM

ANY AMERICAN THAT IS NOT ASHAMED OF WHAT THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT DID TO THE INDIANS IS AN INSENSITIVE, FASCIST,
JERK. IT'S A NATIONAL EMBARASSMENT. YOU PHONY PATRIOTS MAKE ME PUKE WITH YOUR LOVE OF AMERICA EVEN WHEN SHE MURDERS HER OWN CHILDREN.

Harvey Jun 28th 2010 11:13PM

Hey, TMZ, your ignorance of American history is showing. Go back to page three and read my comments. Harvey

JSV Jun 29th 2010 1:32AM

And everyone WONDERS why we Native Americans shake our heads in amazement? Custer was a braggard who hated Indians, wanted to continue to glorify himself by wiping us off the face of the earth .. and took how many men with him?

PLEASE! Yes, I will agree this flag represents a PART of America's history. But let us NOT glorify COLONEL CUSTER. He was made a Brevet General during the Civil War. After the War, his rank returned to Colonel. Custer's wife, Libby, is the sole reason we even remember him today. She made 'his memory' her life's work.

Frankly, if he were a leader among my people, Mohawks, I would hang my head in shame! Just remember the US Cavalry massacred woman and children - even babies. Think hard about who you give praise and honor to.

MyKisa Jun 29th 2010 6:09AM

....look to the Indian to see what gov man has in store for you.....

JSV Jul 1st 2010 1:09AM

MyKisa
History is history - your reply to my comment appears to have misunderstood my message. The Little Big Horn was over 125 years ago, in 'another world and in another time" - I am NOT implying that our American Armed Forces would behave the same way today.
Many Native Americans are proud to serve our country in the Military, and have done so with great honor anad courage.
Mohawk teaching: Hate eats the hater. Beware.

Marcus Jun 30th 2010 10:01PM

This Guidon belong to the U.S. Army. It should be at the museum at the Little Big Horn Battlefield, in Montana. NOT for some private use.

basman1234 Jul 3rd 2010 9:21AM

This is sad. Selling this National artifact is shameful. It should either be in the Smithsonian or at Little Big Horn. DIA could donate it and get the tax credit. If they sell this Guidon, the IRS needs to crawl up their backside and make life impossible fo the DIA..... How much for the Statue of Liberty? Everything is for sale in this country... land, business', politicians, people... very, VERY sad.

Buzzard Jul 3rd 2010 10:29AM

I agree that the flag should be destroyed. And I would take it one step further. I think the federal government should form a commission to review all artifacts in museums and destroy things from any person or event that they find objectionable. We could finally rid our culture of anything that isn't "good" history. The only problem would be deciding who would be on the commission. I'm sure that there are people, many of them on this forum, that would be willing to serve. But why reinvent the wheel? We could save a lot of time if we contacted government officials in the former Soviet Union, or China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, or even Hugo Chavez, and find out how they did it.

suesaxe Jul 3rd 2010 2:13PM

Why in the world isn't the flag at the National Monument????

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Located in southeastern Montana, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument memorializes the site of the Battle of the Little Bighorn which took place on June 25-26, 1876 between the United States Seventh Cavalry Regiment led by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, and the Sioux and Cheyenne under the political and spiritual leadership of Sitting Bull. The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument was originally named Custer Battlefield National Monument. President George H.W. Bush renamed the site on December 10, 1991. It is now representative of those who were in the battle, Native Americans and the 7th Cavalry.

A visitor center and museum contains exhibits relating to the 1876 Battle of Little Bighorn in which 263 US Cavalrymen, led by Colonel George A. Custer, were wiped out by Sioux and Northern Cheyenne warriors. The Museum features exhibits of the history of the battle, Custer, weapons, archaeology, Plains Indian life, and a walking tour with interpretive markers. It is wheelchair accessible. Adjoining the visitor center is Custer National Cemetery, which includes interments from abandoned frontier military posts, the world wars, Korea and Vietnam.

A 4.5 mile self-guiding tour road connects two separate battlefields, the Custer Battlefield and the Reno-Benteen Battlefield. Handicapped parking is located at these two locations and at the visitor center.

Ranger programs are scheduled throughout the summer, and bus tours of the battlefield operate from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. During the off-season a 17-minute documentary film is shown at the visitor center.

Additional information can be found at the the Friends of the Little Bighorn Battlefield's website, www.friendslittlebighorn.com.
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Mailing Address:
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Phone: 406-638-2621
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Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument lies within the Crow Indian Reservation in southeastern Montana. US 87 (I-90) passes 1-mile to the west; US 212 connects the monument with the Black Hills and Yellowstone National Park. The Crow Agency is 3 miles north, and Hardin, Montana, is 15 miles north. The nearest cities are Billings, Montana, 65 miles northwest and Sheridan, Wyoming, 70 miles south.
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joe Jul 3rd 2010 2:31PM

It appears from the posted picture of the flag that a portion just below the star field has been removed. What is that about?

ralanke Jul 3rd 2010 8:47PM

Remember Custer was not masscared, he was wiped out because he sough out and attacked a far superior force. His arrogance led to the deaths of his entire attacking force. It was a great defensive victory for the indians.
The flag belongs in the Smithsonian ...

r a cian Jul 3rd 2010 8:46PM

because custer originated in the state of michigan this flag needs to go to the base museum at ft custer,mich just like any other u.s.govt property

robert Jul 3rd 2010 8:59PM

destroying our past is not going to help things because if we did this we would not learn not to reapeate them again its like killing the messinger after bringing the message the truth hurts us but it is something we as a nation must live with in order to avoid reapeating

Dennis Jul 3rd 2010 10:32PM

TRUTH BE KNOWN?
CONNECT THE DOTS..WHY IT'S BEING REALLY SOLD..
1. DETROIT MUSEUM
2.DETROIT IS BANKRUPT
3.MUSEUM IS DESPERATE FOR $

AND IF IT WAS GIVEN TO THEM? THEN WHY ARE THEY ABLE TO EVEN SELL IT? LET ALONE WHY NOT BE REQUIRED TO DONATE IT TO THE SMITH... ?

IFANYTHING? SB BE DONATED TO IT'S ORGIN STATE.. SOUTH DAKOTA.. TO THE LITTLE BIG HORN MUSEUM SHOULD IT NOT? AND IF NOT THEM? THEN IS IT NOT US GOV'T PROPERTY , IE: US CALVERY?

SEEMS TO ME THE US DISTRICT ATTORNEY OUGHT TO GET ENVOLVED IN THIS TRANSACTION..SELLING GOV'T PROPERTY..

AND BTW? It was and still is standard policy to destroy homes, animals and any person(s) that give shelter and aid to the Enemy.. In the Civil War this was common- and all the way thru and including Veit Nam...and we do it today in the war against Terrorisum.....Iraq, Afganhistan, etc..

and in our American Cities... All the Gangs do it to each other..
It's too bad they don't do more of it and wipe each other out..
Chicago is taking a step to help that along..allowing Hand Guns by Honest Law Abiding people to have and carry them. Maybe they can get rid of more gangs that the Police can't do anymore with their hands being tied by the liberals.