Cowboys, Cattle, Custer and More from Old West Books
Meatpacking magnate J. Ogden Armour.
Item 8 is a very rare pamphlet entitled The Battle of Little Big Horn, by Wallace David Coburn, introduction by Charles M. Russell. Coburn was an obscure cowboy poet, Russell the very well known western artist. We are a bit confused by the timing here, as this first edition was published in 1936. Russell died ten years earlier. Perhaps it was prepared in advance, as it contains information about Custer's body being mutilated which apparently was to be hidden from Mrs. Custer. Elizabeth Custer lived until 1933. Certainly this is a very rare Custer item. $1,350.
Speaking of Mrs. Custer, item 13 is The Boy General. Story of the Life of Major General George A. Custer As Told by Elizabeth B. Custer. Mrs. Custer spent her half century-plus of widowhood attempting to redeem her husband's reputation, so badly tarnished at Little Big Horn. This book is a condensation of the three books she wrote about Custer. It is signed by Elizabeth and includes a three-line note from her as to why he was known as the "Boy General" (he was named a general of volunteers at the age of 23 during the Civil War). $2,250.
Item 54 is a book that has been described as "An important item in the literature of meat packing." I'm not sure how much meat packing literature there is, but this one was written by a man whose name is still synonymous with meat - J. Ogden Armour. The title is The Packers the Private Car Lines and the People. J. Ogden, who took over his father's business in 1901, brought it to great heights during the first two decades of the 20th century. At one point, his wealth reached $100 million, back in the days when $100 million was a lot of money. However, some felt him less than a fair businessman, accusing him of antitrust violations, along with strike breaking. This book is an answer to a claim that the large packers were using their power to control the shipping of beef. It was published in 1906. Armour would get his comeuppance after the War, losing most of his fortune and control of Armour and Co. after it went deeply into debt. $100.
Old West Books can be reached at 817-557-4830 or oldwestbooks@earthlink.net. Their website is www.oldwestbooks.com.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("Martinus Luther") to His Friend the Theologian Gerhard Wiskamp ("Gerardo Xantho Lampadario"). $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: An Exceptionally Fine Copy of Austenís Emma: A Novel in Three Volumes. $40,000 - $60,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Presentation Copy of Ernest Hemmingwayís A Farewell to Arms for Edward Titus of the Black Mankin Press. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript Signed Integrally for "The Songs of Pooh," by Alan Alexander. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Manuscript of "Three Fragments from Gˆtterd‰mmerung" by Richard Wagner. $30,000 - $50,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Preliminary Artwork, for the First Edition of Snow Crash. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("T.R. Malthus") to Economist Nassau Senior on Wealth, Labor and Adam Smith. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides Finely Bound by Michael Wilcox. $20,000 - $30,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: First Edition of Lewis and Clark: Travels to the Source of the Missouri River and Across the American Continent to the Pacific Ocean. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Original Artwork for the First Edition of Neal Stephenson's Groundbreaking Novel Snow Crash. $100,000 - $150,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: A Complete Set Signed Deluxe Editions of King's The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King. $8,000 - $12,000.
Bonhams, Dec. 8-18: Autograph Letter Signed ("John Adams") to James Le Ray de Chaumont During the Crucial Years of the Revolutionary War. $8,000 - $12,000.
Sotheby’s Book Week December 9-17, 2025
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Hooke, Robert. Micrographia: or some Physiological Descriptions of Minute Bodies made by Magnifying Glasses. London: James Allestry for the Royal Society, 1667. $12,000 to $15,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Chappuzeau, Samuel. The history of jewels, first edition in English. London: T.N. for Hobart Kemp, 1671. $12,000 to $18,000.
Sotheby’s, Dec. 12: Sowerby, James. Exotic Mineralogy, containing his most realistic mineral depictions, London: Benjamin Meredith, 1811, Arding and Merrett, 1817. $5,000 to $7,000.
Heritage Auctions Rare Books Signature Auction December 15, 2025
Heritage, Dec. 15: John Donne. Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death. London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
Heritage, Dec. 15: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Tender is the Night. A Romance.
Heritage, Dec. 15: Jerry Thomas. How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon-Vivant's Companion, Containing Clear and Reliable Directions for Mixing All the Beverages Used in the United States…
![<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.](https://ae-files.s3.amazonaws.com/AdvertisementPhotos/8caddaea-4c1f-47a7-9455-62f53af36e3f.jpg "<b>Heritage, Dec. 15:</b> John Donne. <i>Poems, By J. D. With Elegies on the Author's Death.</i> London: M[iles]. F[lesher]. for John Marriot, 1633.")
