General Ulysses S. Grant Strands Of Hair

Ulysses Grant
n.p., n.d.

General Ulysses S. Grant Strands Of Hair
Hair

A handsome presentation sheet measuring 8" x 11" displaying hair of Civil War General & 18th US President, Ulysses S. Grant, printed with a portrait of Grant and an image of the notarized documentation from Grant's embalmer. The five, deep brown and gray hair strands are preserved in plastic, the longest measuring 1" in length. The original document of provenance is in University Archives. Fine condition and ideal for display.

When Grant died a few minutes after 8am 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 was accompanied by an assistant, Edward Butts, who provided a letter of provenance for the hair.

The notarized letter, dated January 9, 1886, reads in part, "Edward T. Butts…was employed by Mr. Stephen W. Merritt undertaker and doing business at No 210 Eighth Avenue City of New York…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 re-embalming and laying out Gen Grant…at the time aforesaid deponent trimed [sic] and cut his beard and hair and preserved said trimming of said beard and hair..."

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. He was twice elected president and led the Republicans in their effort to remove the remnants of Confederate nationalism and slavery in the country.

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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