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

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

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

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.