As the world focuses on the U.S. election on November 5, history enthusiasts may find additional intrigue later this month when rare presidential artifacts go up for auction. Items range from a preserved lock of George Washington’s hair to the flag that accompanied Abraham Lincoln to his burial site, offering collectors a chance to own extraordinary pieces of American heritage.
The auction is organized by Guernsey’s, a New York-based auction house known for handling historically significant items. According to Arlan Ettinger, Guernsey’s president, the sale will feature some of the most unique items tied to the history of the American presidency. One of the highlights is a few strands of George Washington’s hair, preserved in a locket. The gray hair, which belonged to the nation’s first president who died in 1799, was gifted to a close family friend and passed down through generations, making it a treasured relic of America’s founding.
Another notable piece is the U.S. flag that draped President Lincoln’s coffin as it made the solemn journey in 1865 from Washington, D.C., to Springfield, Illinois, where he is buried. Valued between $800,000 and $1.2 million, the flag is a symbol of reverence and national loss that has defied precise valuation due to its unique significance.
Collectors will also find a rare 49-star flag, a brief but notable artifact from 1959 when Alaska had joined the union, but Hawaii had not yet become the 50th state. This flag was displayed in the White House during President Dwight Eisenhower’s administration, capturing a snapshot of American history in transition.
In addition to these relics, the auction will feature presidential portraits from the renowned Bachrach photography studio, many of which have never before been publicly displayed. A portrait of Lincoln by Francis Bicknell Carpenter, created as a study for his famous painting, First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by President Lincoln, will also be on offer. The completed painting holds a prominent place in the U.S. Capitol today, reflecting Lincoln’s pivotal role in shaping the nation.
Scheduled for November 22, the auction will be held both online and live at New York City’s Arader Galleries. “With so much attention on the presidency right now, it’s a fascinating time to celebrate these pieces of American history,” Ettinger remarked.
READ MORE: