Description:

Grant Ulysses 1822 - 1885 General Ulysses S. Grant strands of hair, beautifully presented
General Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States and as commanding general, worked closely with President Lincoln to lead the Union Army to victory over the Confederacy in the American Civil War. Twice elected president, Grant led the Republicans in their effort to remove the vestiges of Confederate nationalism and slavery, protect African-American citizenship, and support economic prosperity nationwide.



Offered here is a unique relic that directly links us to the personage of General Ulysses S. Grant. This collection of five hair strands, mounted in plastic, derives from the John Reznikoff Hair Collection, certified in 2014 as the largest Hair Collection by The Guinness Book of World Records. The strands are encapsulated alongside three funeral related photographs circa 1885. Beautifully presented on a light brown 16" x 12" mat, with cut-outs for the 3 photographs. Fine condition and ready for framing.


After Gen. Grant had died a few minutes after 8 A.M. on Thursday morning, July 23, 1885, his son, Col. Frederick D. Grant, sent a telegram to Stephen Merritt in New York City: "Your ,services as undertaker are requested. Come immediately." Merritt received the telegram at 9 A.M. A member of Holmes Undertaking Company of nearby Saratoga, New York, was under the impression that they would perform the embalming of General Grant and did so that afternoon. Col. Grant would later write that Merritt "was alone employed to superintend the preparations for the funeral of General Grant."


From the January 9, 1886, notarized Letter of Provenance, in possession of University Archives, in part, "Edward T. Butts being duly sworn says that on the day of 1885 he resided and still resides at No 31 India Street Greenpoint City of Brooklyn County of Kings and State if New York, and that he was employed by Mr Stephen W. Merritt undertaker and doing business at No 210 Eight Avenue City of New York. Deponent further says that on the 24th day of July 1885 he in company with the aforesaid Mr Merritt, and one TJ Hemma who was also employed by said Merritt … proceeded to Mount McGregor for the purpose of reembalming and laying out Gen Grant. that on the 25th day of July 1885 deponent Mr. Merritt and Thomas J. Hemma duly arrived at Mount McGregor and proceeded to the home of the deceased Gen Grant and then and there reembalmed and laid out Gen Grant and that at the time aforesaid deponent trimed [sic, trimmed] and cut his beard and hair and preserved said trimming of said beard and hair and that there after on the 8th day of January 1886 deponent presented a part of said beard to and hair to Henry Matzinger of No 35 Greenpoint Avenue City of Brooklyn…" Signed "E.T. Butts" and "Henry Matzinger."


Hair collecting was a proper, and very personal way of remembering someone and began during the Victorian era. It predated photography and was superior to autograph collecting as it better connected the person with the owner.


Full locks of Grant's hair, less beautifully presented, sold at Heritage Auctions in 2009 for over $12,000.


Full Letter of Authenticity from John Reznikoff, a noted expert in the field, including a copy of the Guinness Book of World Record page, noting Reznikoff's collection. Includes documentation setting forth provenance.

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