A LOCK OF NAPOLEON'S HAIR A small lock of hair from the head of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, approximately five strands each about one-half inch long, encased in a small protective sleeve taped to a letter of provenance. The letter bears an auction catalog listing pasted thereon from a sale once held by distinguished autograph dealer and authenticator CHARLES HAMILTON (1914-1996). The description reads, in part: "Copious lock of the hair of the French emperor...[with] a small sheet on which is written (circa late 1800's), 'Lock of Hair and Ivory carved box - Napoleon 1st - given to his physician Barry O'Meara'...then tracing the item through O'Meara's neice to the Wayland family. Also with a newspaper clipping, 1964, about the hair and box...". Beneath the catalog description, Hamilton adds his original typed statement: "I certify that I personally removed the above strands from a lock of fully authenticated hair of Napoleon I...". Boldly signed by Hamilton and dated: "New York, Jan. 8, 1980". Charles Hamilton re-popularized the collecting of locks of hair of famous personages. A lock of Napoleon's hair recently sold for over $13,000.