This is a phenomenal expansive lifetime of military service collection of photos, documents, and artifacts from the life of Captain Roger Bates Bryan originating from the mid to late 1800's. Roger Bates Bryan (1860 - 1926) graduated from West Point military academy in 1882 and was first assigned to Ft. Custer, MT in 1883. Throughout his career he was appointed to 1st Lieutenant in 1890 and Captain in 1899. He eventually went on to publish an autobiography titled "An Average American Army Officer". The collection features Roger Bryan's personal effects including his original Government Issue personal effects such as gauntlets gloves, spurs, collar, military belt with its original brass U.S. Cavalry buckle, U.S. Captain shoulder straps, U.S. cap insignia, U.S. Dress shoulder knots, and U.S. officers cap as well as a copy of his autobiography "An Average American Army Officer" all finely displayed in a wood and glass curio case with red velvet bottom. The collection also comes with three Presidential signed promotion letters hand signed by Chester Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, and William McKinley, and a letter signed by Arthur MacArthur (father to Douglas McArthur, one of only five men promoted to the five-star rank of General of the Army during WWII). The collection comes with a set of twelve black and white military photographs from 1883-1899 showing his West Point Graduation, Cadet Appointment, Completion of Cavalry School in Ft. Leavenworth, Appointments to 1st Lieutenant and Captain, and an 1896 law certificate. The piece comes with a photo of his wife with her obituary, pictures of his son, his wife's family, and original letters. This collection offers a wonderful look into the life of a U.S. Army Officer from the late 1800's. The collection shows good condition overall with some ware due to age. Additional photographs and ephemera included documenting his life. Provenance: From the ex-collection of Jim Aplan from Piedmont, South Dakota The display case measures 18" deep by 22 1/2" wide and 6" tall.