LOT #49128 |
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Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln: Locks of Hair and Mourning Band with Provenance....
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Sold on Nov 4, 2015 for:
$30,000.00
Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder
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Description
Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln: Locks of Hair and Mourning Band with Provenance. This well-documented, substantial lock of President Abraham Lincoln's hair contains over 300 strands of brown hair with perceptible streaks of grey. The hair is affixed with black thread to a 2.75" x 2" piece of cardstock bearing the printed name of "Mrs. J.P. Usher" on the verso. The card is then further housed in a small envelope measuring 3" x 2.5" with a period handwritten notation identifying the source of the contents as "President Lincoln." The lock of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln is held in similar to fashion to her husband's, though the quantity is much less, and the envelope reads "Mrs Lincoln."Both small envelopes were then retained in a third envelope, measuring 4" x 2.5", bearing an ink inscription reading "President & Lady Lincoln's Hair." A faint pencil notation below incorrectly identifies the inscription as being that of Lincoln himself.
Accompanying the hair is a 45.5" x 7" piece of black cloth, made of fine black gauze, used as a mourning band by Interior Secretary Usher at the funeral of President Lincoln. The band is housed in an envelope reading: "Mourning worn by Judge Usher at President Lincoln's funeral."
Both locks of hair and the mourning band have been in the possession of the family of John P. Usher for 150 years. Included in this lot is a letter of provenance from a granddaughter of Usher, dated November 6, 1980, from Cleburne, Texas, reading in full: "The mourning cloth was worn by my grandfather, John P. Usher, at Abraham Lincoln's funeral. The cloth, as well as the locks of Mr. & Mrs. Abraham Lincoln's hair, have been in our family since 1865."
Condition: All are in near fine condition.
Auction Info
2015 November 4 - 5 Manuscripts Grand Format Auction - New York #6149 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
November, 2015
4th-5th
Wednesday-Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 9
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 3,255
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