Lincoln collection fetches $803,889 at auction

DALLAS - A collection of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia that includes a lock of the slain president's hair has been sold for more than $800,000 at auction in Dallas.

Dallas-based Heritage Auctions says the Donald P. Dow collection brought top bids totaling $803,889. Heritage spokesman Eric Bradley says that's double expectations.

The lock of hair taken by Surgeon General Joseph K. Barnes shortly after Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth sold for $25,000.

An 1861 letter written by Booth to a friend boasting about his career and value as an actor also brought $30,000.

A clipping of linen stained with Lincoln's blood taken from his death bed sold for $6,000.

Greg Dow says his father, who died five years ago, was fascinated with presidential assassinations.