UPDATE: To clarify, the 40+ fabric pieces are loose, not attached to the background in the illustration. They are are shown in the present arrangement simply to show the quantity in the lot.
Collection of approximately 45 swatches of blue wool cut from the trousers worn by Clyde Barrow at the time of his death on May 23, 1934, following Frank Hamer and his posse’s ambush of Barrow and Bonnie Parker near Gibsland, Louisana. These swatches, each measuring approximately 1 x 1, originate from the collection of Marie Barrow, Clyde’s younger sister, and Charles Heard, who would affix these swatches to limited edition certificates that they would sell. Included with the swatch collection is one of these 11 x 8.5 certificates with an affixed trouser swatch, numbered 870/870, signed by both Marie and Heard. In overall fine condition.
Following Marie’s death, Heard divided the outstanding fabric swatches and signed certificates between himself and Marie’s family. The few hundred complete certificates given to the family were later destroyed in a fire, and the only surviving signed certificates were those that remained with Heard. This surviving collection of fabric is what exists after all the remaining signed and numbered certificates were utilized by Heard, with this final #870 certificate deriving from Heard’s own personal collection. An additional assemblage of Clyde Barrow's trouser fray is also included, as is a photo of Marie signing a certificate, as well as two certificates of authenticity, both containing an image of Marie with Clyde circa 1934.
