The Strands of History Collection

Heroes, Heartthrobs and Highnesses

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Every Lock holds a captivating story. Every strand brings you closer to the real person - connecting your audience to remarkable moments in history.

These locks and strands transport you back decades, even centuries, and set you down alongside history’s most famous names at critical moments in their lives.

From John Adams signing the Declaration of Independence, to Marilyn Monroe singing “Happy Birthday” to JFK. Hair is living history. it remains the same as the time it was cut - binding the audience to that very moment.

Hair from a historical figure or celebrity is not merely something they touched or used. It was part of them. No signed photograph, no instrument played at a famous concert, no costume worn on screen offers the same level of physical intimacy with the individual.

This carefully curated collection, comprising some of history’s most celebrated individuals, holds fascinating stories. Stories that stay with you. Stories to tell family and friends. These locks keep these historical figures alive.

The practice has deep historical roots. In the Victorian era, locks of hair were a widely accepted way of remembering deceased loved ones, and the exchange of hair between lovers was a common romantic gesture. Applied to celebrated historical and cultural figures, this tradition has evolved into a distinct rare asset category.

This extraordinary collection of locks holds the answers to infinite questions:

  • What was going through the 23-year-old Elvis’ mind as he sat in that barber’s chair at the height of his fame?
  • Why did Lord Nelson sail at right angles to the French and Spanish fleet at Trafalgar?
  • What does it feel like to walk on the Moon?

The greatest hair collection ever assembled contains locks and strands from more than 60 historical figures and current Hollywood celebrities. Our finest pieces are locks snipped at key moments of that person’s life, or with remarkable stories.

View The Strands of History Collection

The greatest hair collection ever assembled contains locks and strands from more than 60 historical figures and current Hollywood celebrities.

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Authenticating Historical & Celebrity Hair

DNA testing is possible, however, it's far more accurate if the hair has the root. Getting a normal nuclear DNA profile from rootless hair is much harder because the DNA is usually tiny, degraded, and fragmented.

Matching & Tracking Provenance

We verify colour match first, then rigoroulsy trace the provenance. Every piece must show a clear, unbroken line of ownership from the moment the hair was cut to the present day. Any gap in that chain and the piece does not reach the market.

Provenance Case Studies

To view our Provenance Case Studies, please follow this link XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX or click on the link in the section following section.

Ownership history of the older locks is reassuringly well documented

The Victorians were passionate hair collectors. Lovers would exchange locks as a sign of their 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”.

John Lennon Full Lock of Hair from the preparation for filming How I Won the War in 1966

Provenance Case Studies

On period films, fantasy productions, sci-fi, biopics, musicals and superhero films, anywhere between 70 - 100% of lead characters will have wigs.

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Hollywood Set Wigs & Provenance

On period films, fantasy productions, sci-fi, biopics, musicals and superhero films, anywhere between 70 - 100% of lead characters will have wigs.

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The History of Hair Keepsakes

From ritual offerings and royal relics to love tokens, mourning jewellery and modern childhood keepsakes

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Start a beneficial conversation today

Your museum lives and dies by its exhibits. We’re dedicated to supplying you with the extraordinary objects you need.

By partnering with Paul Fraser Collectibles you enhance your visitor experience and have the opportunity to discover new ways to engage with your visitors.

A conversation can make all the difference and possibilities arise. Please contact us to schedule a phone call, video meeting or face-to-face meeting with one of our specialists. We love to talk history and it may well be we already have just what you need. And if we don’t, we can help secure it for you.

Call us on +44 (0)1534 639 998 or email info@paulfrasercollectibles.com