Among the highest-selling items was a bloodstained pair of gloves found in Lincoln’s pocket the night he was assassinated, which sold for $1.5 million.
The Lincoln Presidential Foundation auctioned 144 items linked to President Abraham Lincoln this week, raising nearly $8 million to offset debt.
According to Freeman’s | Hindman auction house, 94% of the lots were sold, totaling $7.9 million—nearly twice the presale estimate.
Among the highest-selling items was a bloodstained pair of gloves found in Lincoln’s pocket the night he was assassinated, which sold for $1.5 million. A gold and black cuff button from his wrist fetched $445,000. A John Wilkes Booth wanted poster went for $762,500, while a ticket to Our American Cousin sold for $381,500. A page from Lincoln’s boyhood math book, which included a rhyme he wrote, sold for $521,200.
“These proceeds will be used to satisfy our obligation to retire the outstanding loan,” said Foundation CEO Erin Mast. “Any excess funds will go toward our continued care and display of our extensive collection.”
However, original collector Louise Taper criticized the sale, saying, “My intent was for these historic items to reside in a place for the public to enjoy and learn from.”
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