F. Otto Becker (German-American, 1854-1945), after Cassilly Adams (1843-1921)

Custer's Last Fight

Lithograph print

Signed to lower right

37 1/4 x 23 3/4 in., framed to 41 1/2 x 28 in. 

A print of Custer's Last Fight, produced specifically for Anheuser-Busch. Originally based on a painting by Cassilly Adams (1843-1921), this print by Becker features Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer in the center wearing a tan fringe uniform and brandishing a sword. Chaos is clearly ensuing since both his cavalrymen and his opponents — Native Americans from the Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes — are charging in on horses, firing guns, and actively dying in this scene. The battle is gruesome; in the lower right corner alone, Native Americans are scalping Custer's men. This climactic scene foreshadows the 7th Cavalry Regiment's fatal end, since Custer and his men are surrounded. Considered the most significant battle of the Great Sioux War of 1876, the tribesmen might have had more casualties, but they proved victorious over the U.S. Army, even killing Custer. 

The original painting by Adams was purchased by Anheuser-Busch in 1888, after which Becker modified it into the print here. After Becker made his changes, the print was distributed by Anheuser-Busch for nearly 70 years to bars and taverns that sold its beer. It stopped in part when the Vietnam War broke out, since the mindset of "dying with your boots up" was disappearing, as well as the rise of the Indian Rights Movement. 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Art, Folk Art, Military Art, Etching, Engraving, Lithographs, Prints, Ephemera] [Late Indian Wars, Great Sioux War, George Armstrong Custer, Battle of Little Bighorn, Lakota, Lakota Sioux, Arapaho, Northern Cheyenne, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse] 

In a paper frame made to look like wood — frame is falling apart and has few rips.