Lot 224: Andrew Jackson Hair in Locket and Portrait Miniature

1st item: A braided lock of hair belonging to General and later President Andrew Jackson, gifted by Jackson to Bernard Maguire of Philadelphia in 1844. Housed in a gold plated metal locket and gold filled chain with decorative shield engraved en verso, "General Andrew Jackson's HAIR / March 15, 1844 / B.M. ". The gift of the hair is the subject of a letter from Bernard Maguire to Jackson on 1844, thanking him and stating that "this venerable lock of your hair will cheer me and be my companion late and early." (Source: the Library of Congress, Andrew Jackson Papers, March 1, 1844. Note: the date on the locket postdates the letter, a possible mistake in remembrance on the part of Mr. Maguire). Hair: approximately 1 1/2"L. Locket: 2 1/2"h x 2"W. This locket has descended with the 2nd item in this lot, a miniature watercolor portrait of a young man with reddish hair and blue eyes, dressed in a white shirt and black coat and tie. Oral tradition states that the subject is a young Andrew Jackson, although there is no documentation to support this assertion, and early portraits of Jackson prior to his victory in the Battle of New Orleans are extremely difficult to locate. The oval painting is unframed and unsigned, and contained within a period oval leather case with silk lining. Portrait 2 1/4"h x 1 3/4"W. Case 3" x 2 1/2".

PROVENANCE: Private Natchez, MS collection.

CONDITION: Locket and hair in very good condition with a small nick to edge. Portrait exhibits some grime and warping to ground and is either painted on paper or has had a paper backing applied. Some small losses around edge. Case is very worn with fraying to silk interior.