Lock of Beethoven's hair, "mousy-brown" in color, cut from his head on his deathbed, with an unsigned note of authenticity dating from the 1860s at earliest.
Item Information
Provenance
According to the note of authenticity, the hair was cut by Anton Gräffer and given to Otto Nicolai in Vienna before he departed for Berlin. It then passed into the possession of Geheim-Legitationsrath Amnbronn, then was divided and passed through the hands of Fraulein Schröder (Grossschönewald) and Fraulein Breit of Langenbachstift, then to the Rank family in Solingen.
Auction Information
Auction House
Sotheby's (London)
Date of Sale
06/06/2013 to 06/07/2013
Pricing Information
Treasures Tracking
Object
Estimate Price
15,000-20,000 GBP