Lot 3021
Personal items, awards, uniforms, documents, paraphernalia of a Russian Kuban Cossack, Personal effects of Michael Ivano. Personal items, awards, uniforms, documents, paraphernalia of a Russian Kuban Cossack, Personal effects of Michael Ivanovich Kustoff Born in 1897, Kustoff was an officer in the Kuban Cossack Army. Fleeing the outcome of the Revolution, he arrived in the U.S. in 1919 and applied for naturalization in San Diego in 1920. He apparently suffered severe tribulations (kidnap and torture according to his personal account) when he tried to practice law in California in 1920’s. Kustoff studied law at the University of Florida in Gainesville, and went on to be admitted to the State Bar of Texas. He died in 1964 and is buried in the Serbian Cemetery, Galveston TX. Medals – Order of St. Anne. Cross. 3rd Class. Military Division. Gold and enamels. Hallmarked "56" on loop, maker’s marks " ??". Well-preserved. On fraying ribbon; Order of St. Stanislaus. Cross. 3rd Class. Military Division. Gold and enamels. Hallmarked "56" on loop. Well-preserved; Badge of the Kuban Cossack Army. Screwback, multi-piece construction – Very rare as such; Centennial of the Patriotic War Medal (Diakov 1527.3) and Romanov Tercentenary Medal 1913 – both bronze on ribboned bar; Uniform: Full-length Cossack Overcoat. Dark olive. With Artillery Captain shoulderboards and chevrons on both sleeves; White chemise; Red riding pants with gold facing; Red triangular head scarf; Karakul Cossack cap; Uniform shirt, tan, with shoulderboards designating Lieutenant of the 19th Unit; Tall black riding boots; Part of epaulette; Weapons – Kinjal: Bone and ebony hilt with silverwork, two raised silver knob ornaments. Maker’s name on face, lower end of the blade: ?????? Black scabbard, silver and niello work top and tip, very end of scabbard broken; Kinjal: Bone and wood hilt with two raised silver knob ornaments. Slightly curved blade with double-grooved fuller at center of each face. Wood scabbard with simple band, broken at bottom; Shashka. Silver and niello hilt with typical cleft end. Blackened wood scabbard with three ornate silver and niello bands. The end of the scabbard has been broken off (during Kustoff’s time as a Cossack as is shown in some of his photos); Apparel also includes two pieces of religious vestments; additional pair of Russian Artillery unit shoulderboards; straight wooden riding crop with leather loop, parts of equestrian straps with metal ornaments Miscellaneous paraphernalia: Includes about 46 photos of Kustoff, black & white and sepia, some showing him in his Cossack uniform (presented here) wearing his Orders and medals and weaponry (presented here); Photo album of photos, most if not all seem to have been taken after his emigration to the U.S.; about 96 postcards presumably of his travels; Personal ID cards; "Justice in Iron Mask", a book by Kustoff, member of the State Bar of Texas, 1936 -- a "thrilling account" of his quest after being denied the right to practice law in California in 1920 and his suffering kidnap and torture in that quest; file folder of various Xeroxed manuscripts and affidavits; and documents and sundry news clippings Great research potential. A museum-worthy set.
Estimated Value $50,000-UP.
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