Description:

Alexander Hamilton
n.p., n.d.
Alexander Hamilton Hair Relic Certified By Charles Hamilton, Ex-James A. Hamilton
Hair

Two or three strands of hair belonging to American statesman Alexander Hamilton (1755-57-1804), accompanied by a photocopy of a statement of provenance provided by Hamilton's third son, James A. Hamilton (1788-1878); as well as certification provided by legendary autograph dealer and expert Charles Hamilton, signed as "Charles Hamilton." The hair strands are reddish-brown in appearance, with whitish tips, measuring approximately 2.75" x 1.125" in the present state affixed by adhesive tape to the upper left corner of the sheet. Near fine. Sheet: 8.5" x 11." Provenance: Doris Harris, 1984.

The provenance information shows that the strands originated from a lock of Hamilton's hair gifted to "Miss Mary L Booth" by James A. Hamilton on October 5, 1865. The hair lock recipient may have been Mary Louise Booth (1831-1889), an American writer, literary critic, translator, and editor-in-chief of "Harper's Bazaar" magazine from 1867-1889.

Charles Hamilton's signed certification statement, located at upper left, reads as follows: "I certify that the hair above is that of Alexander Hamilton and was removed by me from the original leaf bearing an authenticating comment by James A. Hamilton."

James A. Hamilton wrote a memoir in the late 1860s entitled "Reminiscences of James A. Hamilton, or, Men and Events, at Home and Abroad, During Three Quarters of a Century" (New York: Charles Scribner & Son). In it, Hamilton recalled fond memories of his father and defended his father's reputation against political detractors. Around this same time, in the 1860s, James A. Hamilton dispersed samples of his father's hair as well as signature clips.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: sheet: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: Hair

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October 8, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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