Lock of George Washington’s hair up for auction with starting bid of $1K

Auction bidders now have the chance to own a special piece of history: a lock of George Washington’s hair.

Leland’s auction house is virtually auctioning off a locket containing a “well-documented” chunk of the nation’s first president’s hair.

The starting bid for the handmade brass and glass locket containing multiple strands of Washington’s hair, accompanied by a hand-written letter, was $1,000. Two days into the auction, the bidding is up to $1,771 with seven active bids.

Leland’s expects the locket of hair to sell for between $4,000 and $6,000, according to an auction house spokesperson. Another lock of Washington’s hair sold at a previous auction for more than $35,000.

The hair is believed to have been removed from Washington’s head close to or after his death in 1799, Leland’s notes in the product description.

The handwritten letter, dated June 28, 1836, states: “General Washington’s hair – cut from his head in the year 1799 by Mr. John Pierie of Philadelphia, from whom I received it, Fr. Hopkinson, Philada.”

Seven days remain on the bidding for the unusual antique. 

Two other chunks of the Founding Father’s hair live at The State Museum of Philadelphia, the PhillyVoice noted. The museum cites one lock as originally being from United States Army Officer Robert Wescott, although it’s been in the state’s possession for 140 years. The other historic chunk came from Valley Forge Historic Park.

“Artifacts associated with the nation’s first president are highly coveted by museums, history buffs and memorabilia collectors alike,” the Philadelphia museum stated.