# - Byron, George Gordon, Lord.

cut from his head after his death at Missolonghi, coiled and tied with a pink ribbon, with an accompanying wrapper inscribed in the hand of Byron's intimate friend John Cam Hobhouse ("a lock of hair cut from the head of Lord Byron after his death by Dr Bruno"), and with a later envelope recording that the lock was later presented "by Miss Leigh to Miss Marianne Gidely"

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Dr Francesco Bruno, Byron's last physician, performed the autopsy, supervised the embalming, and accompanied the body back to England. Hobhouse's diary records that he met Bruno on the 5th of July 1824, when the Florida reached London with Byron's body. The reference to Miss Leigh in the later note suggests that Hobhouse may have presented the lock to either Byron's half-sister Augusta Leigh or to one of her five daughters - one of whom, Elizabeth Medora, believed herself to be Byron's daughter and who in turn had three illegitimate children (also misses Leighs).