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Remarkable display featuring ten strands of Lincoln's hair from a lock removed by surgeons in order to gain access to the fatal wound on August 15, 1865, plus a small swatch of the towel used to staunch the flow of blood from the president's head at Ford's Theatre immediately after he was shot.
The hair originates from a larger lock presented by Mrs. Lincoln to Dr. Charles Sabin Taft, one of the surgeons attending to the president. He later willed the keepsake to his son. It was then sold to a long time admirer of Lincoln named William H. Lambert, along with several other items of Lincoln memorabilia. Lambert sealed the hair in a simple gold box, inscribed: "The enclosed lock of hair given to Dr. Charles S. Taft one of the attending surgeons, April 15, 1865." Upon Lambert's death in 1914 his estate was put up for auction and the lock of hair was bought by Henry C. Hines. To preserve the integrity of the lock Hines kept the gold box sealed and it did not reappear again until 1993. It was discovered among the estate belongings of a close acquaintance of Mr. Hines and subsequently acquired by University Archives. An accompanying packet documents the history of the hair strands and includes a certificate of authenticity from University Archives.
The towel swatch, measuring approximately 1˝ by .75˝, was affixed to a provenance document prepared by Clarence H. Sandford, circa 1890, a copy of which is included. In part: "This piece of towelling…was received by me at Hudson, N.Y. in April 1865…together with a letter from my sister, Mrs. Mary J. Webb, stating that it was a piece of a towel which was used by the surgeons in the 'President's Box,' to staunch the blood from the wound in the head of President Abraham Lincoln, in Ford's Theatre on the night of April 14, 1865…My sister was among the audience in Ford's Theatre when the assassination transpired…Her husband at that time Ass't Surgeon, U.S. Army…was with her—in uniform—and was one of the first surgeons to reach the 'President's Box' when it became known that the President had been shot. She told me that this towel was divided as a souvenir, among several of those who were participants and spectators…It is at best a gruesome relic, and may as well pass into oblivion when I can no longer exhibit and explain it to intimate friends."
Impressively double-matted and framed with descriptive plaques, several related images, and a reprint of the front page of the New York Herald of April 15, 1865, to an overall size of 39 x 30. In fine condition.
The Collection of Dr. Joseph Matheu.
