Abraham Lincoln Related
Substantial Lock of President Abraham Lincoln's Hair with Extensive Provenance back to Gifting by Mary Todd Lincoln
(Abraham Lincoln) A substantial Lock of Abraham Lincoln's Hair with Extensive Provenance in detail, Framed under glass, the Hair being an apparent Presentation Gift from Mary Todd Lincoln circa 1871 for "Spiritualist" services, Choice Very Fine.
An important and substantial Lock of Abraham Lincoln's hair, held in place by a Silk Ribbon secured to a personal name card Imprinted: "Mrs. C.L. Blanchard." A pencil notation below reads: "Lock of Pres. Lincoln's hair. / sent to Mrs. C.L.B. by Lieu. F.T. Hard. / Lincoln's servant." (We have not located any information regarding Lieut. Hard. If documented, that information would no doubt add further value.) The white card and its lock of hair are in a simple small wooden frame under glass for display, to an overall measurement of about 4.75" x 3".
The single bundled strands of Lincoln's hair is a light brown in color and has a length of about 1.625" with the ends curling somewhat inward as shown. The hair is in excellent clean condition and appears sharp, while the card backing shows only slight age. Locks of Abraham Lincoln's hair, and those of other prominent Americans, are well-known to have often been given as presentations, memorial remembrances, and/or were kept as mementos. In recent years, many of these locks have been broken up and offered as individual strands. It is becoming increasingly rare to find such full locks of Lincoln's hair, typically more seen offered as one tiny cut piece cut from one strand. They are especially important and valuable to collectors when one becomes available with solid provenance, as substantial as this lock.
Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln, who had suffered the loss of her husband and two of her sons, came to St. Charles in 1871 to meet with Mrs. Howard. Mrs. Lincoln is said to have consulted with Mrs. Howard daily while she stayed at the Howard House Hotel under the alias name "Mrs. May." Mrs. C.L. Blanchard (nee Florence Howard) was part of a family of famous "Spiritualists" who resided at the Howard House in St. Charles, Missouri. The Howard House still exists today, and it is considered one of the most historic homes in St. Charles. Florence's mother, Caroline, was a spiritualist of considerable fame, which is where the connection to Mrs. Mary Lincoln derives. According to the Howard House website: "Caroline Howard and her daughters held many seances in the house, and the services that Mrs. Howard offered became popular with grieving wives during the Civil War.
Leonard and Caroline Howard's daughter, Florence, continued conducting seances in the house after Caroline's death. Florence married undertaker C.L. Blanchard in 1896. For a short time, the Howard House served as a funeral home. The parlor of the house was used as an embalming and viewing room, until Mr. Blanchard relocated his funeral business to a building on Main Street. The front door of the house still has the name "C.L. Blanchard" etched into the glass.
The Leonard Howard House served as a residence for three generations of the Howard family. After the last of the family passed away, the house was sold and renovations began. Several discoveries were made during the renovation of the house. Two antique parasols, one of which now resides in the St. Charles History Museum, were discovered in the house. A book dating from 1834 was found hidden between two walls. Most importantly, a shawl belonging to Mary Todd Lincoln, along with several other important antiques and artifacts from the house, were auctioned at an estate sale held in the 1990s. That shawl is said to have been presented to Caroline Howard by Mary Todd Lincoln herself, in appreciation of Howard's "Spiritualists" services. The Howard House has been restored. It remains today as one of the most historic buildings in St. Charles." A well-documented Lock of Abraham Lincoln's Hair with Extensive Provenance to Mary Lincoln.