American Historical Ephemera & Photography, Featuring Property from the James Milgram, M.D., Collection of Broadsides, Ephemeral Americana & Historical Documents

Lock of George Washington's hair. Approx. length 1 1/4 in. -- Lock of Martha Washington's hair. Approx length 1 in. -- Each mounted to black silk mounted to light blue paper with ink identification of the subject.

[Framed with:] Photographic portraits of George and Martha Washington. Each approx. 3 3/4 x 4 5/8 in. possibly salted paper prints (soft focus and detail). 

Locks of hair and portraits mounted to visible 13 1/4 x 8 5/8 in. cardstock (some toning and brown spotting); framed to 17 1/2 x 13 in. (loss to molding, some separation at joins). With an ink inscription dated 1857 which details the provenance: "Photographs by Brady, April 1857, from the original miniatures, on Ivory, in Water Colours, painted from life, by Archibald Robertson, in Phila. in Dec. 1791, in possession of the Miss's Robertson, Grand Daughters of the Artist. The Hair of Washington + Lady was sent by the latter in her Husbands letter, to Major Billings of Popkeepsis, dated New Burgh June 17th 17[9]5 (see back of frame.)" The verso of the cardstock retains remnants of wax seals.

Archibald Robertson (1765-1835) was a Scottish painter known for his miniatures. He came to the United States in 1791 at the invitation of several wealth individuals and was asked to paint the portraits of George and Martha Washington. He had four children, and several granddaughters who may be the Misses Robertson, mentioned here.