The famous abolitionist who was executed for his raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia in 1859

(1800-59) John Brown was a white abolitionist who believed armed insurrection was the only way to overthrow the institution of slavery in the United States. During the 1856 conflict in Kansas, Brown commanded forces at the Battle of Black Jack and the Battle of Osawatomie. In 1859, Brown led an unsuccessful raid on the Federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Va. that ended with his capture. Brown's trial resulted in his conviction and a sentence of death by hanging.

Handsome display with a strand of John Brown's hair from the Dow collection. 8 x 10, double matted with dark green linen and gold filigree mats, featuring a strand of Brown's hair enclosed at the center with an iconic oval copy photograph of a bearded Brown at the top, and descriptive text. Comes with a letter of provenance. The strand of John Brown's hair in this display originated from a small lock of his hair encased and authenticated by the legendary autograph and handwriting expert Charles Hamilton. Also included is a copy of an affidavit made in 1996 by historical hair expert John Reznikoff, who has the largest collection of celebrity hair in the world, attesting that he witnessed the original lock of hair being broken up and that this strand originated from that lock. Comes shrink wrapped.