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Collector's Unique Archive Holds Hair of Famous Figures
8 Oct
Summary
- Collector John Reznikoff holds Guinness World Records for his historical hair collection.
- The collection features hair from figures like Lincoln, Einstein, and Marilyn Monroe.
- A strand of Lincoln's hair sold for $7,500, and Elvis Presley's hair sold for $115,120.
John Reznikoff, a collector and authenticator based in Connecticut, holds the Guinness World Records title for the largest collection of hair from historical figures. His archive includes relics from prominent individuals such as Abraham Lincoln, Marilyn Monroe, Albert Einstein, and Napoleon. The collection, valued at $1 million in 2001, is now estimated to be worth approximately $1.8 million.
Reznikoff's interest in historical memorabilia led him to establish University Archives in 1979. His fascination with collecting hair grew after acquiring a collection from Margaretta Pierrepont, which contained locks from historical figures, a practice common in the 18th and 19th centuries for personal mementos.
Among the notable items is hair connected to Abraham Lincoln's assassination in 1865, traced back to Dr. Charles Sabin Taft. This particular relic, accompanied by extensive documentation, sold for $7,500 in February 2026. Hair from Marilyn Monroe, sourced from her embalmer, was used in a DNA investigation that supported the conclusion of Charles Stanley Gifford being her biological father.
The collection also features hair from Albert Einstein, John F Kennedy, Napoleon, Elvis Presley, King Charles I, and Charles Dickens, spanning scientists, presidents, royalty, and writers. Reznikoff's most expensive sale involved Elvis Presley's hair, collected by his barber, which sold for $115,120 in November 2002.
An incident involving Neil Armstrong in 2004 led Reznikoff to stop collecting hair from living celebrities, with his focus now exclusively on deceased individuals. His collection also extends to figures like Eva Braun and John Wilkes Booth, reflecting a broader historical documentation approach.
Guinness World Records recognized Reznikoff's collection in January 2001, with 115 historical figures represented. Over two decades later, the specialized archive continues to grow, preserving physical relics connected to some of history's most recognizable names.
