Vintage Card Of The Month: 1933 Goudey General Sturgis

This month’s VCoM comes from the 1933 Goudey Indian Gum series, card #71 General Sturgis. These cards were inserted in to Goudey Gum packs, the 96-card checklist was made up of military commanders, Native Americans, pioneers and Western scenes.

Samuel Sturgis spent his entire adult life in the military seeing combat during the Mexican-American War, the Civil War and the Indian Campaign of the late 1800s. He served in the cavalry and was actually captured during the Mexican-American War, he served as company commander through the Civil War and was later made commander of the 7^th Cavalry over an egotistical Lt. Colonel named George Armstrong Custer. Sturgis’ son, James Sturgis, served as Custer’s Lieutenant during the Battle of the Little Bighorn. His other son, Gen. Samuel Sturgis II, also served during the Civil War, Indian Campaign and WWI. His grandson, Gen. Samuel Sturgis III, served during WWI, WWII and the Korean War. The City of Sturgis, South Dakota is named after him.

This card is in good shape, no creases, tears or chips. The edges are straight but the corners are slightly rounded. The colors are starting to dim and there are a couple of small stains on the back. The card though has held up well and still has that solid cardboard feel when you hold it. This is probably one of my better conditioned vintage cards in my collection.