Lock of Washington’s hair and other presidential memorabilia up for auction
As the world turns its attention to the U.S. election on November 5, history enthusiasts are gearing up for a unique auction set to take place later in the month. The auction, organized by Guernsey’s auction house, features an array of significant artifacts, including a lock of George Washington’s hair and a flag that adorned Abraham Lincoln’s coffin.
“We’re conducting an auction of some of the most historic objects relating to American history that have ever come up for sale,” said Arlan Ettinger, president of the New York-based auction house.
Among the highlights is a locket containing strands of hair from Washington, the nation’s first president, who passed away in 1799. This rare item has been preserved for generations, passed down from a family friend.
Another centerpiece is a U.S. flag that draped Lincoln’s coffin during his funeral procession in 1865, as it journeyed from Washington, D.C., to his final resting place in Springfield, Illinois. This item carries an estimated sale value of $800,000 to $1.2 million, although Ettinger noted that assigning a precise value to such a unique artifact is challenging.
The auction will also showcase a rare 49-star flag from 1959, representing the period following Alaska’s statehood and before Hawaii’s addition to the union. This flag was previously displayed in the White House during Dwight Eisenhower’s presidency.
Additionally, the auction includes presidential portraits from the Bachrach photography studio, many of which have never been publicly exhibited. A notable portrait of Lincoln, created by Francis Bicknell Carpenter as a study for his renowned painting, “First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln,” will also be up for bid.
Scheduled for November 22, the auction will be conducted both online and live at the Arader Galleries in New York City. “We don’t know what’s going to happen at the election, but one way or another, there’s great focus on the Office of the Presidency right now and American history,” Ettinger remarked.
With the election on the horizon, this auction promises to captivate both history buffs and collectors alike, shining a light on the rich tapestry of American presidential history.
