Wordsworth's Hair Paperweight and Furniture to Auction
Mitchell's
A lock of William Wordsworth’s hair turned into a paperweight
Lake District-based autioneers Mitchell's will offer a major auction of furnishings from English poet William Wordsworth's final home Rydal Mount later this month.
Among the lots is a large lock of Wordsworth’s hair enclosed in a circular glass and metal mount to form a paperweight, together with a separate paper document reading "Hair of W Wordsworth Poet". The lock of hair was previously displayed in Wordsworth’s study at Rydal Mount. It has an estimate of £3,000-£5,000.
Rydal Mount in Grasmere was recently saved for the public after the poet's descendants put it on the market. It was bought by the Wordsworth Trust after a fundraising campaign.
Highlights of the auction include:
- a late 18th/early 19th century George III oak circular table with a brass plaque on top reading "This Table belonged to Wordsworth Poet Laureate Rydal Mount" (estimate: £4,000-£6,000)
- two 19th century engravings "Her Most Gracious Majesty The Queen" and "His Royal Highness Albert Prince of Wales" presented to William Wordsworth by Queen Victoria on his becoming Poet Laureate
- an early 19th century mahogany linen press, referred to as William and his wife Mary's wardrobe (estimate £400-£600)
- an early/mid 19th century Georgian design silver plated teapot, referred to by the family as William's teapot (estimate: £300-£500)
- a 19th century boxwood table top tapestry frame stand, with needlework panel and spindle and bar supports, by family repute known as Dorothy's stand (estimate: £300-£500)
