Interesting vintage 8 x 6 paperstock photo (on a 12 x 9 mount) depicting Custer among a crowd of dignitaries, including President Taft, at the dedication of a statue of George Armstrong Custer. The reverse of the mount bears a lengthy note in Custer’s hand, signed and dated June 4, 1910, which reads, in full: “When I entered the grandstand to unveil the statue of my husband, President Taft stepped aside to let me pass. Though I do not remember it, I was so frightened, my school mate who was near me thro’ it all, says that in reply to my remark that I hardly thought that I ought to preceed [sic] the President, he answered ‘Madam we are all here to do honor to you and yours.” A notation in another hand indicates that the photo was presented by Mrs. Custer to Herbert Swett. The image itself is lightly soiled and rubbed and has several small spots that are mostly confined to the margins. The mount bears losses to two corners and significant insect damage along the right edge; happily, the damage is well away from both the image and the writing on the reverse and can be completely matted out to make an appealing presentation. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
