How Reliable Is This?

[BettyO]

I have ONE hair from the head of Edwin Booth.

About 30-35 years ago, myself, Joan Chaconas along with Louise Oertley from Surratt House, went to NYC to give a talk to the Lincoln Group of NY. We went to the Player's Club and also to the NY Public Library to see the Booth collection there. It was grand. This was back in the day when everything was in manilla file folders and envelopes - long before Acid-Free paper and white cotton gloves....

We looked over the wonderful collection, amongst which were samples of hair from the head of Edwin Booth. After the archivist retrieved the collection, and we were getting ready to go, Joan let out a gasp and said, "Look!" There were little Edwin Booth hairs floating about the table top. She licked her finger and picked up a hair. I did the same. We both framed our hairs - mine sits on my bookcase to this day.