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his is an incredibly rare, museum-grade historical relic: an authentic lock of hair from Mary Todd Lincoln, First Lady of the United States. While Abraham Lincoln’s hair is occasionally seen on the market, documented specimens from Mary Todd Lincoln are significantly scarcer—often cited as being 100 times harder to acquire.
Condition & Specifications:
• Item: Genuine Lock of Hair (Mary Todd Lincoln).
• Mounting: Professionally matted with a high-quality historical portrait of Mary Todd Lincoln and a companion image of the President.
• Display: Housed in an ornate, gold-finished miniature relic frame.
• Size: Ready for framing or archival display (approximate 8.5\" x 11\" sheet size).
Unrivaled Chain of Custody (Provenance):
This specimen boasts a \"triple-crown\" of provenance, tracking through the most prestigious collections in American history:
1. The Roy P. Crocker Collection: Originally part of the world-famous collection of the Lincoln Savings and Loan Association.
2. Sotheby Parke Bernet: Sold on November 28, 1979, as part of Lot 260 (copy of original sale catalog entry included).
3. The Forbes Collection: Subsequently purchased and owned by Malcolm Forbes Sr., then sold via Christie’s as part of the renowned Forbes Collection.
4. Louis Mushro Certification: Hand-signed and certified by Louis Mushro, Lifetime Member of the Manuscript Society, who personally removed this lock from the original described lot.
Collector Significance:
The inclusion of copies of the Sotheby’s 1979 catalog and the Christie’s Forbes documentation provides a level of security rarely found in hair relics. This is a primary-source piece of Civil War-era history, perfect for serious collectors of Lincolniana, First Lady memorabilia, or 19th-century rarities.
