This matted display holds several strands of George Washington's hair from a lock with a documented line of descent through Alexander Hamilton's family. The strands are sealed beneath a small clear dome capsule in the center window of a navy velvet mat. Above it is a color print of John Trumbull's 1780 full-length portrait of Washington in Continental uniform, standing before his horse. Below is a printed placard giving Washington's dates and the history of the lock. Each window is set off with a gold and white bevel.

According to the accompanying certificate, the lock was first preserved by Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, widow of Alexander Hamilton. Eliza Hamilton knew the Washingtons well from her husband's years as Washington's aide-de-camp and Treasury Secretary, and in later life she helped raise funds for the Washington Monument. The lock passed to her son, James Alexander Hamilton, who briefly served as acting Secretary of State under Andrew Jackson in 1829. On March 11, 1871, the younger Hamilton presented it to Mrs. D. O. Bradley, wife of New York politician Daniel O. Bradley, along with a signed letter tracing it directly to his mother. Strands removed from that lock by its owner were later used to create relic displays such as this one.

Locks of Washington's hair were kept and handed down as keepsakes by family, friends and admirers both in his lifetime and after his death in 1799. They remain among the most personal Washington relics a collector can own, and a display like this offers a direct association with Washington, Eliza Hamilton and the Hamilton family at an accessible price.

Included is a Certificate of Authenticity describing the provenance of the lock and the making of the displays. The original 1871 Hamilton letter remains with the lock and is not included, but a copy is provided.

Condition: Very good. The archival-quality display is of modern construction and is sealed in a clear protective sleeve. The mat, print and placard are clean, and the dome capsule is intact.

Dimensions are Approx. 8” wide x 10” high.

A timely and amazing piece of American History.   [cm][ph:L]

We have additional, similar displays available.

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