THOMASTON, Me. –  A collection of important artifacts, the majority from the 14-year period between the Battle of the Little Big Horn and Wounded Knee, will be featured in Thomaston Place Auction Galleries‘ Native American sale on Friday, January 14. The inventory will include items worn and weapons carried in the fight with Custer, and stellar examples of weapons and dress. Some have direct connections to Geronimo and his flight to Canada involving what have been called the “Mangas Caves.” Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries was pleased to assist the owner of this small, but choice, group of historically significant pieces. This included facilitating the return of two items – a pistol and knife that belonged to Chief Spotted Elk (a.k.a. Big Foot), who died with most of his tribe while camping along the Wounded Knee Creek on December 29, 1890, to the Mniconjou Lakota Tribe. The remainder of the collection will be offered on January 14.

Thomaston Place Auction Galleries owner and auctioneer Kaja Veilleux said: “It’s an honor to represent items collected by such a dedicated student of Native American history.  This sale represents a rare opportunity to own items of cultural and historic importance.”

Featured in the auction will be a circa-1870 beaded buckskin war shirt that belonged to Oglala Lakota Chief George Standing Bear (1835-1898) who participated in the Battle of the Little Big Horn. It carries an estimate of $75,000-$125,000. It was unlikely that he wore this shirt in the Battle, as it was 100 degrees that day. Instead, it probably would have remained with his possessions in camp. It was later transferred to his eldest son, Luther Standing Bear (1868-1935).

Also of note is a shield used at Little Big Horn by “One Hand,” a Hunkpapa Sioux and member of Sitting Bull’s Bad Bow Band of the Icira, will be offered. An 1820s-era Comanche warrior’s capture or “trophy” shield, it has a later Sioux cover decorated with a green Thunderbird figure and turkey feathers. The original hardened buffalo hump core with Comanche decoration remains intact beneath the newer cover. It is estimated at $30,000-$40,000.

In addition, the sale will present a circa-1860-70 Upper Plains Warrior’s Pony Club that was possibly carried at Little Big Horn. It is considered by many experts to be one of the finest known surviving Native American fighting weapons. It has a metal spike at the ball end, original tassel and hawk feathers, and a rarely seen quill drop and buffalo thong. The Pony Club is estimated at $30,000-$45,000.

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