Living History
Historical hair is like no other area of collecting...
> It shocks
> It divides opinion
> It’s impossibly intimate ...and that’s why collectors love it.
A lock of hair transports you back decades - even centuries, and sets you down alongside history’s most famous names - at critical moments in their lives. From Charles I with his head on the executioner’s block, to Marilyn Monroe singing happy birthday to JFK, or Elvis joining the army.
Hair has no equal in collecting. It wasn’t simply signed, touched or used by a historical figure, it is the historical figure. It’s living history.
At Paul Fraser Collectibles we have the world’s largest stock holding of collectible hair. From Napoleon to Justin Bieber. All fully authenticated by our in-house experts.
If you’re looking to partner with us, and capitalise on this unique and untapped area of the collectibles market, read on...
Marilyn Monroe lock
From May 19th 1962, the night she sang Happy Birthday to JFK.
A short history of hair collecting
We have our great great great grandparents to thank for making hair collecting popular. The Victorians introduced the custom of remembering deceased loved ones through locks of their hair. 19th Century lovers would also often exchange strands as symbols of affection, and owning locks from celebrities of the day was the equal of owning an autograph. Queen Victoria wrote in her diary in 1855 that France’s Empress Eugenie was “touched to tears when I gave her a bracelet with my hair”.
It was still hugely popular in the early part of the 20th century. During WWI, US film star Mary Pickford – known as “the girl with the curls” – auctioned a lock of her hair for the US war effort. It sold for $15,000 (the equivalent of $250,000 today).
Today, just as in previous centuries, many parents keep locks of hair from a baby’s first haircut. And although less popular than it was in its Victorian heyday, a large community of hair collectors remains. Which explains the strong prices you see at auction.
Queen Victoria childhood lock of hair
Authentic large locks of Elvis Presley’s hair, clipped during his 1958 US Army haircut.
of the most valuable locks of hair ever auctioned
CIA operative Gustavo Villoldo snipped off a three-inch lock of Che Guevara’s hair to prove to his superiors the revolutionary was dead, after CIA-backed soldiers captured and killed Guevara in the Bolivian jungle. Texas bookshop owner Bill Butler paid $119,500 for the lock in 2007. “Guevara is an iconic figure for some people, and his hair engendered a remarkably emotional response when we offered it,” explained the auctioneer. A “baseball-sized” clump of Elvis Presley’s hair sold in 2002 for $115,000. It came from Elvis’ personal barber, Homer “Gill” Gilleland.
A lock of David Bowie’s hair sold for $18,750 in 2016 – as the singer’s death earlier in the year sparked bids from nostalgic fans. An employee from Madame Tussauds waxwork museum in London snipped the lock from the singer in 1983 to provide a colour match for a waxwork wig..
21 Napoleon $13,000
22 Ulysses S Grant $12,500
23 Beethoven $12,415
24 Napoleon’s horse, Marengo *4 $10,588
25 Marilyn Monroe $9,200
26 Jane Austen *5 $8,500
27 Bonnie Prince Charlie $8,269
28 Edward IV $7,236
29 Thomas Jefferson $6,875
30 John Adams $6,875
Jane Austen ($8,500) beats Charles Dickens ($5,542) in the battle of the English authors. Just think, both authors may have twiddled these very locks while plotting the next chapter of Pride and Prejudice, or Great Expectations.
Hair from Napoleon’s Battle of Waterloo horse, Marengo ($10,588), got the better of Copenhagen ($4,145), the Duke of Wellington’s mount at the battle.
Our top 10 locks of hair for sale
We have locks and strands from more than 60 historical figures and current Hollywood celebrities for sale. Our finest pieces are locks snipped at key moments of that person’s life, or with remarkable stories.
Examples include:
Elvis Presley
Elvis’ hair from the March 1958 haircut that broke a million schoolgirls’ hearts: when Elvis lost his locks in favour of the regulation GI short-back-and-sides upon entering the US Army. Elvis gave our hair from that cut to Gary Pepper, the president of one of Elvis’ first fan clubs.
John Lennon
From the September 1966 haircut that marked the end of John Lennon’s Beatles mop top. Originally obtained directly from John Lennon’s hairdresser Klaus Baruck. He trimmed Lennon’s hair in Hamburg, Germany, in preparation for Lennon’s starring role as Gripweed in Richard Lester’s comedic film How I Won the War.
Charles I
The grisliest piece in our collection (now sold) is Charles I’s beard hair; Charles is always pictured with his goatee. Physician Sir Henry Halford helped himself to the strands when he exhumed Charles’ body at Windsor Castle in 1813. Charles’ remains (including reattached head) had lain in secret at Windsor’s St George’s Chapel for 164 years, since his execution in 1649. They were only discovered during renovation works. It’s incredible to think that Charles likely groomed these strands on the morning of his walk to the chopping block.
Our top 10 locks of hair for sale
King Charles III
The only known hair from King Charles III ever offered for sale.
Trimmed from a teenage Prince Charles in the 1960s. The lock comes from the collection of Mr George Crisp, the personal barber to the Royal Family from 1929 to 1971. Kept securely by Mr Crisp as a reminder of his time with the Prince. There is no more intimate a piece of King Charles III memorabilia in existence.
Justin Bieber
In February 2011, teen sensation Justin Bieber cut off his famous locks. TV personality Ellen Degeneres tweeted “All I want for my birthday is a lock of Justin Bieber’s hair”.
Bieber was happy to oblige. Degeneres sold the hair on eBay for $40,668, with the proceeds going towards her favourite charity, The Gentle Barn. The hair was purchased by the Golden Palace Casino and now forms part of their travelling museum of weird and wonderful objects.
Bieber donated the rest of the hair to his favourite charity, Pencils of Promise. They in turn contacted Paul Fraser Collectibles. We acquired it for a considerable charitable donation.
Michael Jackson
The hair comes from the infamous 1984 Pepsi commercial shoot when his hair caught fire during a pyrotechnic accident. Ralph Cohen, executive producer for the Pepsi commercial, was among the first to aid Jackson. Cohen threw his Armani jacket over Jackson’s head to help extinguish the flames. On removing his jacket Cohen found Michael’s hair attached to it.
Our top 10 locks of hair for sale
Marilyn Monroe
A lock of the impossibly blonde hair belonging to Marilyn Monroe. Snipped from her head by her Fifth Avenue hairdresser, Robert Champion, just hours before she sang “Happy Birthday Mr President” for JFK in New York.
Daniel Radcliffe
The hair comes directly from a wigmaker who has worked on several major recent films and TV programmes. The wigmaker takes hair samples from celebrities to ensure the wigs exactly match their hair. 99% of TV and film stars use wigs or hair extensions on screen.
Neil Armstrong’s hairdressing scissors, comb and hair
The haircut that sparked a court case. In May 2005, Neil Armstrong became involved in a legal battle with barber Marx Sizemore of Lebanon, Ohio, after finding the barber was selling his hair to memorabilia hunters.
Armstrong threatened legal action unless the hair was returned or the sale proceeds donated to charity. Following Sizemore making the charitable donation, the scissors and comb used by the barber and 25 strands of Armstrong’s hair were held in a private collection.
Edward IV (1442-1483)
The oldest hair in our collection
A key artefact from the Wars of the Roses. These strands were removed when Edward’s body was exhumed at Windsor Castle in 1789, centuries after his death. Was the first Yorkist king poisoned? A DNA test on the hair could clear things up.
Classic Racehorse Collections FOR SALE
An impossible-to-recreate collection of tail and mane hair from the finest flat and jumps racehorses of the 20th century.
Features stars from the US, UK, Ireland and Europe, including Red Rum, Secretariat, Arkle and Desert Orchid. 102 horses in total.
SUPERB PROVENANCE
Many of the strands come from the collection of racing historian Michael Tanner.
The Scrap Book
60+ 20th century leading racehorses of their day
The Scrap Book Full List
Alleged
Nureyev
Alysheba
Manila
Blushing Groom
Sharpen Up
Buckskin
Bet Twice
Busted
Morston
Bustino
Risk Me
Caerleon
Be My Guest
Chief Singer
Shadeed
Claude Monet
Legend of France
Desert Orchid
Commanche Run
Don’t Forget Me
Glint of Gold
Siberian Express
Bluebird
Henbit
Gallic League
Jumbo
Midyan
Jupiter Island
Assert
Known Fact
Arctic Tern
Kris
Nijinsky
Last Tycoon
Green Desert
Law Society
Magic Mirror
Blazing Saddles
Slip Anchor
Never So Bold
Kalaglow
Northern Dancer
The Minstrel
Reach
Valiyar
Riverman
Lear Fan
Sadlers Wells
El Gran Senor
Shardari
Shernazar
Shirley Heights
Sagace
Steinlen
Mtoto
Storm Bird
Wassl
Teenoso
Sharpo
Trempolino
Paean
Vaguely Noble
Lyphard
The Scrap Book
Examples
The Red Book
36 x 20th century leading racehorses of their day
The Red Book Full List
Aldaniti
Arkle
Boldboy
Teleprompter
Brigadier Gerard
Mill Reef
Burrough Hill Lad
The Dikler
Comedy of Errors
Gaye Brief
Dawn Run
Persian War
Grittar
Hallo Dandy
John Henry
Forego
Le Garcon d’Or
Desert Orchid
Master Smudge
Spanish Steps
Nijinsky
Secretariat
Pendil
Diamond Edge
Red Rum
Petite Etoile
Ten Up
Bregawn
Tingle Creek
Freddie
Wayward Lad
Badsworth Boy
Well To Do
Corbiere
What a Myth
Forgive n Forget
The Red Book
Examples
How do we know the hair is genuine?
The first question we’re always asked. As it should be. Authenticating a strand of hair isn’t the same as authenticating an autograph. Yes, DNA testing is hypothetically an option, but only if the hair has the root.
Instead, after ascertaining that the colour is a match, it’s all about tracking the provenance. We’re meticulous. Is there a clear line of ownership between the hair being snipped from the famous person’s head to the present owner? If there’s any doubt, we don’t sell it.
Which type of client buys collectible hair?
1 Fans – people who love a particular star, such as Daniel Radcliffe, Paul McCartney, Justin Bieber, and want to feel that personal connection to them.
2 Collectors fascinated by history – men and women who are amazed when they discover they can own a piece of a world changing historical figure –someone they’ve previously only read about in books. Whether that’s Edward IV from the Wars of the Roses, George Washington, Napoleon, Charles Dickens, or Neil Armstrong.
Our full list of collectible hair for sale
Alexander Skarsgard
Alice (daughter of Queen Victoria)
Anna Friel
Antonio Banderas
Ben Whishaw
Charles Dickens
Charles I
Charles III
Christopher Eccleston
Cillian Murphy
Claire Danes
Daniel Craig
Daniel Radcliffe
David Bautista
David Thewlis
Diego Luna
Duke of Wellington
Edward IV
Edward VII
Elliot Cowan
Elvis Presley
Ezra Miller
George III
George IV
George Washington
Geronimo
Hans Christian Andersen
Harrison Ford
Helena (daughter of Queen Victoria)
JFK
Jackie Kennedy
John Adams
John Lennon
John Steinbeck
John Walker (Walker Brothers)
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers
Justin Bieber
Katharine Hepburn
Keanu Reeves
Kevin Costner
Kit Harington
Kurt Cobain
Liam Neeson
Liz Taylor
Lord Nelson
Mads Mikkelsen
Maria Callas
Marilyn Monroe
Mark Rylance
Mary (daughter of George III)
Mary Stuart
Matthew McConaughey
Michael Jackson
Napoleon
Neil Armstrong
Noomi Rapace
Oscar Isaac
Paul McCartney
Pedro Pascal
Pierce Brosnan
Prince Albert Victor
Prince Leopold (son of Queen Victoria)
Queen Victoria
Sophia (daughter of George III)
The Red Baron
Thomas Hardy
Willem Dafoe
William IV
Investment Potential
Investment potential
Single strands from our hair locks sell for £399 per half-inch, giving our locks a full retail value far in excess of our current asking prices. This provides exciting potential for the entrepreneurially minded. Take a look below:
Buy Now Price
Full Retail Price
Charles III
Charles Lindbergh
Cillian Murphy
Classic Racehorse Collection
Daniel Radcliffe
Elizabeth Taylor
Elvis Presley
George V
Geronimo
Harrison Ford
Jacqueline Kennedy
John Adams
John Lennon
John Walker (Walker Brothers)
Justin Bieber
Keanu Reeves
Kurt Cobain
£8,000
£8,000
£6,000
£125,000
£16,000
£50,000
£45,000 £450,000
£8,000 £40,000
£7,000 £35,000
£150,000
million
£25,000 £200,000
£9,000 £90,000
£10,000
£12,000
£125,000
£45,000
£250,000
£2.4 million
£4,000 £300,000
£35,000 £250,000
£25,000 £300,000
Lord Nelson £15,000 £2.5 million
Marilyn Monroe
Neil Armstrong, including comb and scissors
Paul McCartney
Queen Victoria
£250,000 £4.5million
£25,000
£60,000
£20,000 £140,000
£8,000
£60,000
Since 1950, rare collectibles such as historical hair have grown in value by an average of 10% year on year. While past performance is no guarantee of the future, history indicates values for the rarest and most desirable pieces of collectible hair could well grow over the long term.
About Paul Fraser Collectibles
A British company with an international reach. Paul Fraser Collectibles is comprised of a diverse team of collectibles experts across a range of specialisms. Our experts, from the UK, North America and Asia, offer a combined 250 years’ experience in the collectibles sector. We have offices in the UK and the Channel Islands.
We have the world’s largest private stockholding of collectibles and deal in fully authenticated rare manuscripts, autographs, postage stamps, space memorabilia and, of course, historical hair.
Sell our hair
Are you a rare collectibles reseller or dealer? Interested in extending your range to include historical hair?
We’re keen to partner with colleagues in the trade who share our values of quality, rarity and integrity - for the benefit of both parties. Contact us today...
Contact our partnerships team on +44 (0)1534 639 998 or info@paulfrasercollectibles.com
info@paulfrasercollectibles.com
paulfrasercollectibles.com
19 Britannia Place, Bath Street, St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands, JE2 4SU.