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Auction: 329 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 959

Custine, Adam Philippe, Comte de (1740-1793). French general; after serving in the Seven Years War, joined Rochambeau's Expédition Particulière to aid America in its War of Independence. Part of the Regiment de Saintonge, which participated in the Virginia campaign of 1781, Custine served with distinction against the British and received recognition of merit and a brevet from the fledgling U.S. Government. Made maréchal de camp on his return to France, and appointed Governor of Toulon. Elected to the Estates-General, then represented Metz in the National Constituent Assembly, where he often voted with the liberal nobility such as the Marquis de Lafayette. Rejoined the army and served as Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Vosges, then of the Army of the North. Although strict in his discipline, Custine was popular with his troops who nicknamed him "général moustache" (apropos as the engraving shows). When a series of military mistakes not of his making resulted in Custine's failure to relieve the besieged fort of Condé, he was recalled to Paris during the Reign of Terror, arrested and tried for treason. The Tribunal found him guilty on the 27th of August, 1793, Custine was guillotined the next day. Autograph Letter signed "Custine". Folio. One page, 30 March 1792. In the letter, which Custine begins "We, Adam Philippe de Custine lieutenant general of the French Army", he discusses the defense of the frontier. About Very Fine. Accompanied by a Delpech engraving of Custine.

Estimate
$200 to $250