July 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, July 31st, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/31/2014
General George Custer check signed ''G A Custer''. Partially-printed check is filled out entirely by Custer, dated 14 February 1873. Drawn on Planters National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky, Planters Nation, check is made payable to ''Mrs. Clifton'' or ''order'' for ''Twenty'' dollars. Interestingly, Mrs. Clifton was a transvestite and her identity was kept secret until her death. Thrice married, her last husband was Sergeant John Noonan, Company L, 7th U.S. Cavalry. This 7 December 1878 excerpt from the ''Army and Navy Journal'' describes the situation: ''Taken from a dispatch sent 31 October 1878: 'A singular development transpired at Fort Lincoln today. Mrs. Sergeant Noonan, who died last night, turns out to be a man. Mrs. Noonan was a laundress at the post and a most popular midwife. She was married three times, and was one of the widows of the Custer massacre. Her husband is a member of the 7th Cavalry, and now in the field. There is no explanation of this unnatural union except that the supposed Mexican woman was worth $10,000 and was able to buy her husband's silence. She has been with the 7th Cavalry nine years.'' Check measures 7'' x 2.75'' with two tiny holes at left and a bank cancellation tear, though not affecting signature. With showthrough from two endorsements to verso, one through the ''G'' of signature. One endorsement prepared for Mrs. Clifton's ''X'' mark was erroneously penned by the witness ''Mrs. Clayton'' instead. Check is nicely displayed with an original cabinet photo of Custer. Overall, near fine.
General George Custer Signed 1873 Check -- Made out to a Mrs. Clifton, Whom Famously Turned Out to Be a Male Posing as a Woman & Married to a Soldier in the 7th U.S. Cavalry
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