Four strands of President Abraham Lincoln's hair plus a small swatch of black mourning cloth that covered the catafalque on which Lincoln's body lay in state, matted and framed with an engraved portrait to an overall size of 8.75 x 14. A certificate of authenticity from Charles Hamilton is affixed to the backing, reproducing a provenance note by L. E. Leigh. Leigh's letter, in full: "This is a piece of the cloth, that covered the catafalque on which the coffin of Mr. Lincoln rested in the White House on the day of the funeral and on which he lay in state. Also a lock of his (Mr. Lincoln's) hair presented, as was also the cloth, to me by Mrs. Wm. Slade." William Slade was Lincoln's White House valet and confidential messenger. In fine condition, with foxing to the engraving. From the collection of Stephen Adamson.
