Another small collection of Victorian hair locks, found together, the largest a thick lock of "Sister Mary's hair" at age 61, dated August 1893. As I went along photographing I realized there were actually two hair wreaths, both tied with ribbon, tucked into the mount for "Miss Little" (center bottom first photo) so I pulled the top one out--it is the one tied with flower pattered blue ribbon. (So there are a total of five locks, as shown in first photo.) I'm especially intrigued by the folded paper enclosing the reddish lock of hair and reading "Sierra Nevada Cassady my hair"-- quite an excellent name, I would guess inspired by the Gold Rush of the mid 19th century (and then a second name, also ending in Cassady, so I presume indeed a girl/woman's name rather than a note of location.) Anyway, I find hair mementos in all of their various forms such rich things, so intimate and specific, and also so symbolic.

Three samples mounted (via slits cut in the paper) to paper backings plus wo loose, with the reddish one having been folded into the paper it sits on, and the blue ribbon-tied one found tucked into the mount for Miss Little and pulled out (easily inserted again.) All in good condition.