the third president of the United States, in its upcoming Americana Week 2010 sale, set to begin in New York City on January 21st.
The timepiece – an engraved gold watch key containing a lock of hair belonging to Jefferson's wife, Martha Wayles Jefferson – was put on the auction block by Jane Bortman Larus, daughter of renowned Americana collector Mark Bortman.
According to a National Jeweler report, Christie's believes the watch key will fetch between $40,000 and $80,000.
The front of the watch key is engraved with Martha Jefferson's birth and death dates, while its back is made out of a clear case enabling a view of the braided lock of hair. According to a Christie's press release, the watch key was made either in England or France, somewhere between 1784 and 1789.
The third American president was known for his interest in timepieces, and considered small personal watches ideal for remembering loved ones.
