Treasures from Our West: Photograph, Custer, Grand Duke Alexis, Buffalo Bill

Originally featured in Points West magazine in Summer 2016

Photograph, Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer, Russia’s Grand Duke Alexis, and William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody

Russia’s Grand Duke Alexis set out for a tour of America on August 20, 1871. The group arrived in New York City on November 21, after stops in Europe, the U.S. East Coast and Midwest, and Canada—complete with celebrations, balls, and state dinners. Then, Alexis and company arrived in Omaha, Nebraska, on January 12, 1872, promptly heading to Fort McPherson to meet his buffalo hunt cohorts that included Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer, General Philip Sheridan, and William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. After two buffalo kills on the 14th, Alexis headed to Denver on January 17, leaving America on February 22.

This photograph is of Custer, Alexis, and Buffalo Bill, although Buffalo Bill was not in the original composition. At some point his image (see photo above) was superimposed on the shot to include him with Custer and Alexis.

Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer, Russia’s Grand Duke Alexis, and William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. Black and white photograph, 1872. MS 6 William F. Cody Collection. P.69.819

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