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Rare pair of original real photo postcards (RPPCs) documenting the June 4, 1910 unveiling of the General George Armstrong Custer equestrian monument in Monroe, Michigan.
Both photographs are attributed in the image to Marcell Photo / Marcell Photo Co., Detroit and appear to document the actual dedication ceremony rather than later views of the monument.
The horizontal RPPC shows a large crowd of dignitaries and spectators gathered for the ceremony. Period wording in the negative identifies the scene approximately as:
“Unveiling of Custer’s Monument – Monroe Mich. – June 4, 1910”
“Marcell Photo Co Detroit”
The vertical RPPC shows the newly unveiled Custer equestrian statue surrounded by a large crowd and an enormous American flag. The monument base reads “CUSTER” and “Erected by the State of Michigan.” It is also marked “Marcell Photo.”
This was a significant historical event. President William Howard Taft attended and spoke at the dedication, and Custer’s widow, Elizabeth “Libbie” Bacon Custer, participated in the unveiling ceremony.
Both have early divided postcard backs and are unused/unposted.
Condition shows more than 115 years of age, including toning, edge/corner wear, spotting, scratches and surface/emulsion wear. The vertical card has several particularly noticeable light areas of surface/emulsion loss. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition.
An uncommon matched pair with appeal to collectors of George Armstrong Custer, Little Bighorn/Custer history, President William Howard Taft, Michigan history, Monroe history, Western Americana and early documentary photography.
Sold together as a pair.
