Held in Chicago, the auction featured a total of 144 items with personal and historic ties to the 16th U.S. president. Of those, 136 items were successfully sold to collectors, museums, and enthusiasts eager to own a piece of U.S. history.
Historic Gloves Draw Top Bid
The collection’s most notable item was a pair of leather gloves Abraham Lincoln carried in his pocket when John Wilkes Booth shot him at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., on April 14, 1865. Buyers purchased the blood-stained gloves for $1.52 million, including a 28% buyer’s premium.
The auction drew widespread attention as the gloves offered a physical connection to one of the most pivotal moments in American history. Their high value underscored the enduring fascination with Lincoln’s life and tragic death.
Another item connected to the assassination, a folded handkerchief that Lincoln had in his possession on the night of the shooting, sold for $826,000. Caretakers preserved the piece along with other relics from the president’s final hours.
Rare Poster and Handwriting Also Lift Totals
Also featured was a “wanted” poster seeking the capture of John Wilkes Booth and two other suspects involved in the assassination plot. The poster sold for $762,500 and highlighted the nationwide manhunt that followed Lincoln’s death.
The auction included a small notebook dating back to 1824, in addition to artifacts from the end of Lincoln’s life. Collectors purchased the notebook, which experts believe is the earliest known example of Lincoln’s handwriting, for $521,200.
The Associated Press reported that this notebook “reportedly [is] the earliest known sample” of Lincoln’s penmanship, offering valuable insight into his early development and education.
Auction Connected to Longstanding Loan
The proceeds from the auction will go toward settling a loan secured in 2007 by the Lincoln Presidential Foundation. That loan helped fund a much larger acquisition of historically significant Lincoln memorabilia.
In that earlier deal, the Foundation purchased 1,540 items from collector Louise Taper for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. Organizers designed the recent auction to alleviate the financial obligations remaining from that transaction.
Though the sale reduced the size of the collection, Foundation officials emphasized the need to preserve the future financial solvency of the institution and ensure public access to the most vital artifacts.
Broad Interest from Collectors and Institutions
The wide-ranging appeal of Lincoln’s legacy brought in bidders from across the country, with both private collectors and public institutions participating. The auction demonstrated continued interest in presidential and Civil War-era objects.
According to auction organizers, the sale succeeded in raising awareness about the historical significance of the items while also helping to secure the long-term goals of the Foundation.
By including a buyer’s premium of 28% on each winning bid, the auction’s structure helped drive the total proceeds to $7.9 million. This financial outcome offers critical support to the Foundation’s mission going forward.
Connection to an American Legacy
The sale represented items dating from throughout Lincoln’s life and career, offering a broad look at his journey from humble beginnings to national leadership. Each object revealed a different part of the story that continues to captivate historians and the public alike.
Although buyers purchased only 136 of the 144 items, the vast majority of the collection successfully transferred to appreciative hands. Many new owners plan to display or preserve the highest-profile artifacts.
As the auction concluded, organizers expressed optimism that they could meet the remaining financial obligations tied to the 2007 loan while maintaining Lincoln’s educational and cultural legacy through the museum’s remaining exhibits and outreach efforts.
