2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
A UNIQUE, AUTHENTICATED LOCK OF HIS HAIR AND OF HIS BEARD ! Accompanied by fabulous identification. Contained in a small 2 x 2 paperboard frame / folder with a 1½ inch diameter clear glass panel on each side (very likely a pocket watch crystal) are the small lock of beard hair (tied with a very delicate thread) and larger white lock of hair from his head. ACCOMPANYING SUPERB DOCUMENTATION INCLUDES: (1) A 3 x 4½ card neatly penned in seven lines entirely in the hand of Old John Brown's wife and fully signed "Mary A. Brown" from Rohnerville Sept. 13, 1877 inscribed: "Dear friend. I will enclose a lock of hair and a little of his beard. The book you speak of we should all be glad to receive and accept your thanks for it." Card likely sent to F. B. Sanborn, a long time family friend and biographer of John Brown. Aging, but exc. +. (2) Short note from John Brown's daughter Annie Brown. 4 lines entirely in her hand with full signature "Present to Mrs. James Redpath [another noted biographer of John Brown]…a lock of my father's beard cut off just before he went to Harpers Ferry." Fading, aging, but all readable. (3) Letter of three pages. Neatly penned and fully signed by John Brown's daughter "Annie Brown Adams" from Humboldt Co. Calif August 12, 1903 to a Mr. O'Donnell. Thanks him for writing about Mrs. Redpath, asking to forward the letter of Annie's to him and: "About the questions you ask. I am very sorry I have no recollection at the present of what you wish to know in regard to the lock of hair. If you [refer to] a book by Richard J. Hinton 'John Brown and His Men' you will get the information you wish…the picture in the front of the book is a perfect outrage to the memory of my father. Like a great many other outrageous things that have been manufactured in Kansas in regard to him. I know my father never sat for that picture. It is totally unlike him in every respect. I am unable to write much and reply to questions asked, so will refer to Mr. Hinton's book as I furnished the information most people wish…he died in London several years ago. Let his faults and failings die with him." Just lightest fading, but exc. +. (4) Oval photo portrait of John Brown's wife Mary Brown; view originally taken in 1859 this print may be that early or somewhat later, but it is definitely the 19'th century. It's mounted on a 5 x 7 heavy paperboard card boldly inscribed on reverse (old and of the period as well) "Mrs. Mary A. Brown, widow of John Brown of Osawatomie…very scarce and unusual." (5) Oval 5 x 7 photographic portrait (it might possibly be a photo copy of an oil painting) of John Brown of a painting or photo made in 1859 just a few months prior to his execution. It to is mounted on a paperboard card 8 x 10 and inscribed on reverse in the same hand as the Mary Brown photograph, boldly "John Brown." Both photos are different. Both do show aging with a typical sepia toning; a few nicks along outer edge and the paperboard card is aged and worn with a few light damp stains. (6) A carte-de-visite size photograph of that identical view of a bearded John Brown quite sharp and clear sepia toning and aging, but exc.
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