George Washington hair sells for $17,000

Four strands of hair reportedly clipped from first US president George Washington have been sold for US$17,000 (€11,460) at auction.

The hair was sold to a man from Richmond, Kentucky, who would not give his name.

Colorado resident Christa Allen said her father, a Philadelphia lawyer, had given her the hair, which was pressed under glass in a locket and accompanied by a watch.

Ms Allen told potential buyers that the hair had been handed down since it was clipped from George Washington's head. The Historical Society of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, inspected the evidence and gave Ms Allen its backing.

Jamie Bates, owner of Thompson & Riley, which auctioned the hair, had hoped it would bring at least $75,000 (€50,561).

"I've never sold George Washington's hair before; I don't know," Mr Bates said before the auction.

The hair is believed to have been snipped from the great man, who died in 1799, when his body was briefly disinterred in 1837.