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Locks of Lincoln’s and Booth’s hair go on the auction block in LA

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For those who treasure history and the wonderful memorabilia it offers, an opportunity of a lifetime just may be in the offing. The Los Angeles based Heritage Auctions will soon auction off a lock of Abraham Lincoln’s hair as well as hair samples from the man that murdered him – John Wilkes Booth.

The sale will commence on September 17 at the Heritage galleries in Los Angeles. Anything of Lincoln’s is always prized but Heritage spokesman Eric Brady explained the significance of the John Wilkes Booth hair when he stated that, “Shortly after Lincoln’s assassination, society and culture was purged of any mention of John Wilkes Booth. So, anything of his is always desirable.”

“In the 19th century,” Brady continued, “it wasn’t considered creepy to take a lock of someone’s hair. It was socially acceptable… it was an act of remembrance or tribute.”

A lock of Lincoln's hair for auction

A lock of Lincoln’s hair for auction

Brady explained that hair samples are huge collectibles and there is a huge community of people who collect hair from the famous and he has overseen many an auction. Also available at the Lincoln and Booth auction will be hair locks from Ulysses S. Grant and from Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd Lincoln.

Recently, a lock of hair belonging to Thomas Jefferson went for $7,000 and a lock from singer/songwriter David Bowie is expected to sell for in the $4,000 range. Back in February, a piece of hair from John Lennon sold at auction for $35,000. Apparently, any lock of hair from any of the Beatles or from Elvis Presley or Marilyn Monroe are highly sought after and prized. Back in 2002, some of Elvis’ hair went for $155,000 at auction.

Other memorable figures from history are also valued for their hair locks. Robert E. Lee’s hair recently went for $19,000 and George Armstrong Custer’s golden locks fetched in $21,000 at a recent auction. Brady says they are extremely careful with regard to identifying and authenticating the hair that goes up for sale.

Booth’s hair trail, especially, was scrutinized. After Booth had murdered Lincoln and was subsequently gunned down by soldiers as he tried to escape from a barn, his body was taken onto a Navy ship. Everyone had strict orders to not tamper with Booth’s body in any way. However, one sailor, lopped of a piece of Booth’s hair when no one else was looking and the hair has been passed down for generations. Brady expects Booth’s to command at least $25,000.

PHOTO CREDITS: Heritage Auctions / Pixabay