Outstanding group of three original photographs of Comanche, the mixed-breed horse which 7th Cavalry Captain Myles Keogh rode at the Battle of the Little Bighorn under Lt. Col. George A. Custer. Although the entire detachment was killed, Comanche was found wounded but alive two days after the battle. The horse was nursed back to health and became a symbol of the fallen 7th Cavalry. He was later retired with honors and lived out his days at Fort Riley, Kansas.
The lot includes:
- an original 8 x 5 albumen photo of Comanche with 7th Cavalry blacksmith Gustave Korn on its original 10 x 8 mount, imprinted with a caption: "Comanche, The Only Surviving Horse of the Custer Massacre," with further details and an image credit, "Photographed May 21, 1889 by Ramsour & Pennel." Notably, Korn would be killed at Wounded Knee in December 1890.
- an original 6.5 x 4.25 cabinet photo of Comanche by D. F. Barry of Bismarck, Dakota, with affixed caption below.
- an original 7 x 4 stereoview photo of Comanche with two soldiers by F. J. Haynes of Fargo, Dakota Territory, published as part of a "Northern Pacific Views" series.
In overall good to very good condition, with heavy chipping to the mount and modern ink notation to the reverse of the Ramsour & Pennel photograph, and some foxing and toning to the other photographs.
The Collection of Dr. Joseph Matheu.
