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Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Auction: The Earp Brothers & Cowboys

Sat, Jul 26, 2025 11:00AM EDT
  2025-07-26 11:00:00 2025-07-26 11:00:00 America/New_York North American Auction Company North American Auction Company : Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Auction: The Earp Brothers & Cowboys https://live.naabid.com/auctions/north-american-auction/tombstone-western-heritage-museum-auction-the-earp-brothers-cowboys-20021
Join North American Auction Company on July 26th for a once-in-a-lifetime auction of the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum Collection. This extraordinary sale features the largest private collection of Tombstone history, including rare and historic pieces tied to Wyatt Earp, the Earp Brothers, and the infamous Cochise Cowboys. From original artifacts, outlaw relics, and the largest collection of C.S. Fly photographs, this is a can’t-miss event for collectors of the Old West’s most legendary chapter.
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Lot 120

Fort Custer (1877-1898) Display Ex George E. Polka

Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Starting Bid
$700

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
Featured in this lot is this Fort Custer (1877-1898) photo memoriam and artifact display found and metal detected by George E. Polka; Provenance: From the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum in Tombstone, Arizona. The display case features a wonderfully and professionally crafted and complete display of artifacts collected per Fort Custer and photographs that highlight specific themes for this display. The display features a photograph of a 25th Infantry Officer in 1895 and includes items such as buttons and adornments associated with Infantrymen in the 25th Infantry Battalion. The second is a photograph of the 25th Infantry barracks and includes adornments and drink tokens used in daily life. The next is a photograph of an Indian Scout in 1887. The next is a photograph of the enlisted men's barracks in 1895 with buttons and gambling tokens with cufflinks and buttons around it. The next photograph is of the Fort Custer picnic in 1886. The second to last photograph is of rifle practice on the shooting range in 1885 with cartridges and ammunition with some guide-on adornments surrounding it. The last photograph looks like a reenactment of the iconic photograph on the steps of Custer's home at Fort Lincoln this one at Fort Custer and shows officers and visitors 10th anniversary of the Battle of Little Big Horn. The display comes complete with a hand signed copy of George E. Polka called Fort Custer 1877-1898 Then & Now. George E. Polka has maintained a life-long interest in the Native American culture and its interaction with the white, or "Anglo," culture. Polka has spent a large percentage of his time and money over the past fifteen years traveling to historical sites to do the research required to continue his saga. In January, 1992, the author put A Clash of Two Cultures aside while he concentrated on researching and metal-detecting at Fort Custer. As there are no remnants of the fort, he collected and restored the only tangible evidence remaining-Fort Custer Artifacts. - About the Author, Fort Custer 1877-1898 Then & Now by George E. Polka. The condition of this Fort Custer time capsule display is good with some natural patina and wear consistent with the age of the items but in all everything is in good overall condition. The measurements of this display is 39 1/4" x 34 1/4" and the visible collection in the display measures 35 1/2" x 30 1/2". The collective weight of this display is 11lb 4oz.

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