Rare and touching two-verse love poem, signed “G. A. C.,” on a 5.25 x 8 lightly-lined off-white sheet, inscribed at the top “To Mary.” The poem reads, in full:
“I’ve seen and kissed that crimson lip
With honied smile o’erflowing;
Enchanted watched the opening rose
Upon thy soft cheek glowing;
Nor deemed thy beauties spell
A finer charm could borrow
But Oh! I had not then beheld
Thy parting look of sorrow
Altho in nature’s garland gay
A thousand hues betwining
Can one surpass the snow white flower
Through dew drops meekly shining!
Dear Mary thy eyes may prove less blue
Thy beauty fade to morrow
But Oh! My heart cant ne’er forget
Thy parting look of sorrow”
In very good condition, with two horizontal folds, scattered light toning and soiling, scattered creasing and wrinkling, a couple small edge tears and pin holes, and Custer’s writing and signature a shade or two light, but completely legible.
Before entering West Point, Custer worked as an Ohio schoolteacher and stayed at the residence of a wealthy farmer. The farmer’s daughter—Mary Holland—soon became the object of his affection and ultimately the recipient of this poem. Custer was known to have often expressed his emotions via poetry, recounting the memories of crimson lips, honied smiles, and blue eyes. While he was wooing Holland he got the idea of enrolling at West Point, and wanted to marry his sweetheart. Neither the young woman nor her father, however, relished the thought of her become a soldier’s wife. Holland’s father is said to have played a major, though discreet, role in securing Custer’s appointment to the military academy—with the knowledge that cadets could not be married. This poem is a uniquely original romantic gesture from the ultimately tragic figure in American history. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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