Friday’s ad is the oldest piece of American breweriana known to exist. It was a poster created by Anheuser-Busch, who commissioned the original painting, Custer’s Last Fight, which was painted by Cassilly Adams in 1884. A lithograph was then prepared by F. Otto Becker in 1889. It was distributed as an advertising poster by Anheuser-Busch. It has since become one of the “most famous views of of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, referred by Indians as the Battle of Greasy Grass.”
Today is the anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Little Bighorn, which has become famous as Custer’s Last Stand. It began on June 25, 1876 and ended the following day.
According to one history website, Indian Wars — Wyoming Tales and Trails, “it is, however, best charitably described as fanciful. The Indians’ attire is in error; Custer’s hair is in error, he had it closely shorn before leaving Ft. Abraham Lincoln; he is wearing a red scarf; and, perhaps most importantly, the battle is being fought on the wrong side of the river.”
As possibly the very first piece of breweriana, an original will set you back a pretty penny, at least from $1,699 to $2,250. One of the eBay sellers includes the following information about the lithograph:
Measures approx. 32 ” X 42″across Great colored lithograph depicting the grisly battle between General Custer’s troops and Indian warriors at Little Big Horn. Custer is featured at center waving a saber and dressed in fringed buckskin. The remaining cavalry officers (except for his brother Tom) are dressed in military uniform. Indians are armed with scalping knives, tomahawks, clubs, spears and rifles. Dead of both parties appear in foreground, with several being identified in the bottom margin as Courier from Sitting Bull, Squaw Killing wounded, Rain In the face and the Sioux Warrior who killed Custer. Custer’s medals and banners are in lower left margin. Mounted Indian poses beside a monument in lower right margin. In the small margin directly under the picture it is marked Entered According To Act Of Congress By Adolphus Busch march 30th 1896 In The office of The Librarian Of Congress At Washington, D.C. In the lower center portion it is marked The Original Painting has been Presented to the Seventh Regiment U.S. Cavalry By Anheuser Busch Brewing Association, St. Louis, Mo. U.S.A.
{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
That reminds me of a joke that I heard in the late 60′s about a commissioned mural on Custer’s Last Stand. At its unveiling, the historical society LOL’s (little old ladies) were aghast at seeing haloed catfish in the air above the river, & Indian couples copulating on the riverbank, to which the artist replied, “Imagine Custer saying to his soldiers after what they saw on arrival: ‘Holy jumping catfish, look at all those f’ing Indians!’ “
I have both this print and “attack on the overland stage” which is another great one. Wasn’t aware of the value.
I also own “attack on the overland stage” im confused every site I look at say its a cardboard copy? But mine looks and feels just like a canvas ? any Ideas.
I believe I’d hang on to that one. Big bucks. Unless of course you’d like to sell it to me. :-)
I saw some comments but thjere are hundres of paper prints and few genuine lithograph copies, prints are not worth much but if you could find a origional copy of the first lithograph it would be worth something.The origional oil painting burned, in the seventh calvery barracks.
i have the print framed and matted..anyone interested?
Definitely. Send me your price and we will go from there… Thanks.. Don
On canvas? Sure Email me.
Does anyone know if this original print is on carboard type material? I have it too but even the frame is cardboard. Ist that correct? I am trying to figure out the value as it was damaged in our recent flooding.
NO IT IS ON PAPER i HAVE HAD OURS SINCE NEW.
The Custer Battlefield museum in Garry Owen, Montana has a limited edition reprint that I had framed and on display in my home.
I have loved this image ever since I saw it in a bar in St. Joseph, Missouri when I was a child.
i have this painting except no logo on the bottom. it is 25×37. does anyone know if not having the logo on the bottom means anything?
I also have a framed print that came out of a bar in petersburg va. It does not have writing on it. At one time the frame had a brass tag with the prints name..let me know wut u find out
I also have the one with no ad at the bottom. Size 24×37,
wood frame 29 5/8 x 42 5/8.
Sign at bottom says “CUSTER’S LAST FIGHT” but is
not brass, appears to be a fibre or hard cardboard.
Very old but vivid colors, probably printed on paper by litho,
laminated to cardboard. Need more info on origin. Thanks.
I have the Ones with the card board frame + 1 in a regular frame that I bought @ a VFW for 5 bucks 20 something years ago.so what are they Worth ,ball park? would be nice to make some bucks.
Hi Michelle,
I recently had one of these in cardboard (all in one piece) which I bought for $65.00 still in shrink wrap. You can probably see 1952 copyright date. I am interested in one
in a frame. Please reply. I Need history if nothing else.
Thanks, Waldo.
Do all of them have F. Otto Becker in the lower right hand corner?
Thanks,
Rj
yes mine does have that in the corner
Does anyone know where I might buy a copy or reproduction of this? Saw one as a kid, and always admired it. Would sure like to have one for my home..
I have reproduction of limited number that where handed out at the 1998 Convention.. I like to sell
I have the cardboard one in decent shape make me an offer
Anyone ??
Google “Custer’s Last Fight” Poster.
I have an original lithograph in what appears to be an original frame! Any idea on what current value would be? It was appraised in 1985 for $12,000, papers are in hand!
“Custer’s Last Fight”
Measures approx. 32 ” X 42″across Great colored lithograph depicting the grisly battle between General Custer’s troops and Indian warriors at Little Big Horn. Custer is featured at center waving a saber and dressed in fringed buckskin. The remaining cavalry officers (except for his brother Tom) are dressed in military uniform. Indians are armed with scalping knives, tomahawks, clubs, spears and rifles. Dead of both parties appear in foreground, with several being identified in the bottom margin as Courier from Sitting Bull, Squaw Killing wounded, Rain In the face and the Sioux Warrior who killed Custer. Custer’s medals and banners are in lower left margin. Mounted Indian poses beside a monument in lower right margin. In the small margin directly under the picture it is marked Entered According To Act Of Congress By Adolphus Busch march 30th 1896 In The office of The Librarian Of Congress At Washington, D.C.
I have a Custer’s Last Fight lithograph with wood frame. It lools more like the second one from the top on this page. Is there anyone who can appraise mine and tell me the best place to sell it. I can send pics. Your reply is appreciated.
i have a painting on cavas of custers last stand, gold color wood frame also has a light in center top. you can see O Becker lower right hand corner,anyone know what it could be worth thanks
I have the 1998 reproduction of Custer Last fight the the Bewer gave out at there convention frame is a awesome rustic frame and like to sell… it anyone know what it is worth and would like to buy it…
I have the framed one above first $1500 gets it
Well, I’m sort of confused. We have a copy (?), that I think is old, of this Anheuser Busch Brewing Assoc. poster. I find no copywright date on it, on its face. Lower left-hand corner says, “0-448-59249-9 Manufactured in the U.S.A. Dover Publications, Inc.” . . . with an address in Mineola, NY.
What can you tell me about that?
I am searching for an old Anheuser Busch Brewing Poster, which feature members of the 24th Infantry Regiment Combat Team (Buffalo-Soldiers) en-route to the front line during the early days of the Korean war. 1950.
Have a friend who has a poster measuring 29 1/2 by 31. Finish appears glossy…….any idea what it may be; copy, reproduction, print etc…
I have one that is definently on canvas and definitely original. It is in a gold colored wood frame. 24×37″ plus frame.There is a small caption on the back although the paper is falling apart. It reads something like “reproductions of this famous painting have been created by the Simmons-Sisler company St.Louis masters of colour craftsmanship. This picture has been treated with high gloss varnish. To preserve this picture and keep it clean, wipe it thouroughly with a dry rag periodically. Anheuser-Busch inc. St Louis, MO”
How much is it worth and who would like to buy it?
I have an original 1896 lithograph of Custers Last Fight and am willing to sell it. It is in wonderful condition. My price is $2,500 firm. Very mix, no disappointments.