Lot 572
SEVERAL STRANDS OF THE 1ST DUKE OF WELLINGTON'S HAIR
19TH CENTURY
Auction: 24 June 2015 at 19:00 BST
£400
Description
framed with a facsimile autograph document by Wellington's valet, John Kendall, stating that they were cut by him from the Duke's hair after his death
Dimensions
36 x 20cm
Footnote
Note: Kendall was employed by Wellington as his valet, and was at his side when he died on 14th September 1852. The last words Wellington spoke were to Kendall. Kendall kept a lock of hair for himself and sent a piece to Queen Victoria at her request, with an accompanying letter in which he explained 'The last hand laid on the body was mine, to cut off a lock of hair from the head.'