A lock of President Abraham Lincoln’s hair and a telegram smeared with his blood sold for more than $81,000 at auction.

Facial hair, notably beards, has long been intertwined with cultural and societal perceptions of masculinity, strength and authority.

The roughly 2-inch long lock of hair was removed during Lincoln's postmortem examination after he was fatally shot in 1865.

Gallery: Masters of competitive bearding Want a great job? Then shave (CBS Moneywatch, 09/12/12) But in the 104 years since Taft left office, not a single president has had facial hair.

A 2-inch lock of the president’s hair was clipped during a postmortem exam a day after he was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre in Washington by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865.

The roughly 2-inch long lock of hair was removed during Lincoln's postmortem examination after he was fatally shot in 1865.

The roughly 2-inch long lock of hair was removed during Lincoln's postmortem examination after he was fatally shot in 1865.

BOSTON — A lock of Abraham Lincoln's hair along with a blood-stained telegram about his 1865 assassination have been sold at auction for more than $81,000.

The roughly 2-inch long lock of hair was removed during Lincoln's postmortem examination after he was fatally shot in 1865.

BOSTON — A lock of Abraham Lincoln's hair along with a blood-stained telegram about his 1865 assassination have been sold at auction for more than $81,000.