Lot 704

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Description:

PEARL BROOCH CONTAINING A LOCK OF GEORGE WASHINGTON'S HAIR
An exquisite Washington item, a tiny silver brooch 9/16 x 1/2 in., with pearl border and light gold-washing at the edges, engraved initials ‘GW' on verso. Curled under glass are approx. 25 strands of Washington's light hair. This fine relic was handed down directly from the family of Elias Hasket Derby. Elias ‘King' Derby (1739-1799) an American merchant based in Salem, Massachusetts and often referred to as ‘America's first millionaire'. His large fleet of privateers was utilized during the Revolutionary War, with his ship, the ‘Grand Turk', alone captured 25 British ships, generating Derby significant wealth from then prizes. Derby was personally acquainted with George and Martha Washington, and there are also numerous scholarly indications of Washington's relationship with Derby which would indicate the probability that this brooch is, in fact, the keeper of Washington's hair. But perhaps the most compelling form of provenance comes by way of the four letters included in this lot, comprising the original note from Derby's wife sending a portion of the lock to a Mr. Poole in England in 1802. Along with this is an exchange some 70 years later between Derby's nephew Dr. George Derby. M.D. (1819-1874) a preeminent medical scientist who served as surgeon in the 23rd Massachusetts Regiment during the Civil war and the son of John Derby, Elias Derby's brother and a Richard Poole King, the son of the collector to whom ‘Mrs. Derby' first gave the lock. On March 15, 1802, Mrs. Derby writes to Poole, in part: ‘…I enclose the precious lock which I am well assured you know how to estimate and can value as I do above everything else in the world. I sent it to you with very great pleasure. Every body must admire and applaud. But every body does not feel that enthusiasm, veneration and love which belongs exclusively to minds & hearts like yours…who are worthy [of] such a treasure. My little lock. I shall more dearly value since, it is divided with one who has so just a knowledge of our immortal patriot and can so well describe his innumerable virtues…Mr. Derby begs to be particularly remembered…'. The next letter from King the son, July 8, 1872, laments to Derby that his family's lock of hair, originally contained within a Wedgewood vase, had been lost. He nonetheless concludes: ‘…I have no doubt that you are right in your conjecture…your lock of hair was given by Mrs. Washington to [Mrs.] R. C. Derby. The lock given to Mr. Thomas Poole I was always told was undoubtedly…from the Washington Family direct…'. King follows up his prior letter to Derby with one dated Aug. 18, 1873: ‘…This morning I have received it [the lock] from the daughter of the late Archdeacon Sandford and with it, the letter presenting it to Mr. Poole. But instead of the letter being signed by Mr. Marchant…it is signed by Mrs. Derby. I send you a copy of the letter [no longer present] as you requested…You may suppose I am much pleased to be the possessor of the Lock of Hair as I again can deposit in the…vase…'. The following year, on Apr. 23, 1874, King again writes to Derby, thanking him for his report of the [Massachusetts] Board of Health, and other own-health related news. This brooch ended up at Gebelein Silversmiths of Boston, and is still contained within one of the firm's boxes with an accompanying typed note outlining the nature of the correspondence accompanying this brooch. One pearl of the brooch missing, pin on verso detached from hinge, otherwise very good condition, and a most impressive relic.

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*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

January 19, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000