Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WGN) – A trove of historic artifacts and memorabilia associated with President Abraham Lincoln was auctioned off for nearly $8 million on Wednesday.

The items, which were intended to be part of a permanent collection at the Lincoln Presidential Foundation in Illinois, were sold to help reduce the foundation’s debt. The lot accounted for about 10% of the foundation’s 1,540 items.

“It’s one of the most important presidential sales in the history of live auctions,” said Christopher Brink with Freeman’s/Hindman Auctions in Chicago.

Abraham Lincoln’s bloody gloves sell for $1.52M

One of the more unusual offerings at the auction, which was handled by the Freeman’s/Hindman, were the leather gloves that Lincoln carried in his pocket on the night of his assassination. The blood-stained gloves were the top-selling item, fetching $1.52 million (including the buyer’s premium, which goes to cover the auction house’s expenses).

Other popular items included a handkerchief Lincoln had on the night he was shot, which sold for $826,000, and the earliest known sample of the 16th president’s handwriting, from a notebook in 1824, which fetched $521,200.

A “wanted” poster featuring photos of three suspects in the assassination conspiracy, led by John Wilkes Booth, was also a hot item: It sold for $762,500, despite initial expectations it would sell for a top price of $120,000.

Auction items told story of Abraham Lincoln

All told, the auction presented about 144 historical items telling the story of Abraham Lincoln, of which 136 were sold. The event raised a total of $7.9 million, but that includes buyers’ premiums of roughly 28% tacked onto each sale.

Founded in 2000, the Lincoln Presidential Foundation is a nonprofit organization that aims to lead and support efforts to share the story of Abraham Lincoln’s life, legacy, and leadership with the world.

Wednesday’s auction was organized to pay off the remainder of a two-decade-old loan that the Lincoln Presidential Foundation used to buy a one-of-a-kind cluster of Lincoln artifacts from a California collector.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Sunday Morning Incident: Springfield Cafe Shuts Down After Car Crashes Into Building

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — A vehicle drove through a cafe in Springfield…

Border Patrol Implements Sound Systems to Deter Migrants

() Under President Trump’s administration, military troops aren’t just watching the border.…

American Airlines Flight Halted on Runway Over “Maintenance Problem,” Airline Reports

DENVER (KDVR) A Saturday flight from Denver International Airport destined for Miami…

Alec Baldwin Discusses ‘Peanuts’ and Impact of ‘Rust’ Trial: ‘Aiming to Move On’

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Alec Baldwin mentions that since the surprising conclusion…

Trade Agreement Between the US and EU Prevents Further Tensions but Increases Expenses for Businesses and Consumers

FRANKFURT – President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der…

Discover California’s Ancient Tree: Older Than the Egyptian Pyramids

BIG PINE, Calif. (KSWB/KUSI) Hidden high in the White Mountains of eastern…

CDC Reports THC Illness Outbreak Linked to Wisconsin Pizza Restaurant

STOUGHTON, Wis. (WFRV) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)…

Michigan Walmart Knife Incident: Man Faces Terrorism and Assault Charges

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — On Sunday, officials announced their intention to…

Urbana Firefighters Enhance Skills with Firefighting Training Exercises

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Urbana firefighters battled the heat to participate in…

US and EU Reach Trade Agreement Implementing 15 Percent Tariffs

(The Hill) — President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von…

How to Safely Drive Near Motorcycles: A Helpful Guide

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — When you’re driving near motorcyclists, a little extra…

Rishabh Pant sidelined from India’s fifth test match against England due to injury

MANCHESTER – India’s Rishabh Pant has been ruled out of the final…