Envelope with a Lock of John Keats's Hair
primary
John Keats
(London, 1795 - 1821, Rome)
compiler
Isabella Stewart Gardner
(New York, 1840 - 1924, Boston)
Date1821
Place MadeEngland, Europe
MediumInk on paper, human hair
Dimensions8.7 x 11.2 cm (3 7/16 x 4 7/16 in.)
ClassificationsArchival Material
Credit LineIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Accession numberU27e58
eMuseum ID724878
EmbARK ObjectID24277
TMS Source ID8846
Last Updated8/9/24
Status
Not on viewWeb CommentaryThis envelope containing a lock of Keats’s hair commemorates the passing of the great poet. Many nineteenth century Americans and Europeans saved locks of hair from the recently deceased to honor their memory. Gardner also acquired the hair of contemporary celebrities and displayed these mementos in archival cases throughout her museum.
MarksNotesInscribed in ink (in Isabella Stewart Gardner's hand): Hairs from Keats' (sic) head cut off by Seavern on Keats's deathbed
ProvenanceNotesEntered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection at an unknown date.
