The Baggie from the late 20th century with the name “Clarence” written in black marker. The Baggie rests on a red velvet pillow.

Seal intact with writing clear and legible.

Kept in the basement of Bellevue Hospital, NYC. Discovered during renovations in 2003.

Little is known about Clarence Willers, who died in Bellevue Hospital in December of 1999. Mr. Willers was admitted in June of that year and listed no birth date or family members. Numerous attempts to find relatives have been unsuccessful. It is unknown whether or not Mr. Willers used his legal name.

Records indicate that Mr. Willers entered the care of Dr. Lewis Bernard, who listed among his patient’s many ailments, “congestive heart failure, suppurating wounds along left leg and lower abdomen.” A curious note at the bottom of Dr. Bernard’s chart detailed Mr. Willers’ end-of-life care: “Mr. Willers is insistent we ‘capture his soul’ using a specific prayer to be recited at his time of death. Among his possessions we found a piece of paper covered in schizophrenic writing. Mr. Willers claims this is the prayer. We have no idea how to read it.”

An orderly present at the time of Mr. Willers’ death claimed to have read the prayer and grabbed the closest container he could find: a sealable baggie, which he held close to Mr. Willers’ mouth.

Piermont & Thorne has since kept the Baggie in a respectful manner befitting its origins.