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Lot #4
George Washington

Strand of President Washington’s hair with excellent provenance

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Estimate: $800+
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Description

Strand of President Washington’s hair with excellent provenance

A single strand of George Washington’s hair, measuring approximately 2.75″ long, affixed to a letter of provenance with a red wax seal. Written by Boston city councilman John R. Adan, the letter reads: “At the end of George Washington’s administration, Oliver Wolcott, one of his cabinet & Mrs. W. called on Prest. W. & his wife. The latter gave Mrs. Wolcott a lock of the President’s hair…One of the descendants of O. W. gave one hair of this lock to M. D. Ross, who presented it to me April 1847. It is attached to this paper. J. R. A.” In very good to fine condition, with some light mounting staining to the letter of provenance. Accompanied by the scrapbook compiled by Adan from which this was removed, which includes affixed letters and signatures of notable Boston-area figures such as Edward Everett, William Prescott, Jr., Leverett Saltonstall I, Nathaniel Bowditch, and Simon Greenleaf.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs And Artifacts
  • Dates: #477 - Ended June 15, 2016