Dwight David Eisenhower, better known as “Ike”, served as the 34th President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 and was succeeded by John F. Kennedy. Eisenhower is often credited as one of the nation’s best presidents with his major accomplishment of having championed and signed the bill that authorized the Interstate Highway System in 1956. During his eight years in office, Eisenhower appointed five Supreme Court Justices (Earl Warren, John Marshall Harlan II, William J. Brennan, Charles Evans Whittaker and Potter Stewart). Eisenhower also oversaw the entry of Alaska and Hawaii as states admitted to the Union in 1959.

It was only a little over eight years after Eisenhower left office that he passed away (March 28, 1969). During his time in office, Eisenhower’s personal appearance was tended to by barber Steve Martini who at this time became friends with Eisenhower and would go on to work in the White House for the next three decades regularly. Eisenhower stayed in politics following his leaving office, speaking at the 1964 Republican National Convention and stumping for Barry Goldwater.

Offered here is a lock of Eisenhower’s hair from his last haircut in his hospital bed shortly before his passing in March of 1969. Mr. Martini collected his hair and placed it in this plastic vial with the label “IKE” written in black fountain ink. This lot contains that vial which possesses a lock of Eisenhower’s gray hair.  A notarized certificate of provenance from Steve Martini Jr, son of the Official White House barber Steve Martini who collected the hair will accompany the lot as well.

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