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Auction: 339 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale at NY INC, Grand Hyatt
Lot: 2058

Custine, Adam Philippe, Comte de. French general; after serving in the Seven Years War, joined Rochambeau's "Expédition Particulière" to aid America in its War of Independence, being 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. 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, tried for treason and guillotined. Autograph letter signed "Custine", darted 30 March 1792, in which he begins "We, Adam Philippe de Custine lieutenant general of the French Army", and discusses the defense of the frontier; also document signed "Custine" as Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Rhine, dated in Mainz, 24 Xieme 1792, concerning the appointment of Citizen Adjutant Major Barthelemé Roche. About very fine. Accompanied by a Delpech engraving of Custine. [2]

Estimate
$100 to $200