Bloody gloves help Lincoln ‘Legacy Auction’ shatter records for historic Americana

Freeman’s | Hindman announced Lincoln’s Legacy: Historic Americana from the Life of Abraham Lincoln, presented on behalf of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation, realized an impressive $7,899,994 (including buyer’s premium), nearly doubling its pre-sale estimate of $4 million.

The Lincoln memorabilia auction featured 144 rare and personal artifacts from Abraham Lincoln’s life, drawing spirited bidding in person, by phone and online. With 25% of buyers new to Freeman’s | Hindman, the sale demonstrated growing interest in historic American artifacts and the lasting resonance of Lincoln’s legacy.

Among the most notable items was a pair of bloodstained leather gloves Lincoln carried on the night of his assassination at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865. The gloves realized a record-setting $1,512,500—now the highest price ever paid for a Lincoln assassination artifact. A white linen handkerchief carried by Lincoln the same night sparked a ten-minute bidding war and ultimately sold for $826,000, more than eight times its low estimate. A gold and black enamel cuff button with the initial “L,” removed from Lincoln’s wrist by Dr. Charles Sabin Taft, sold for $445,000—more than double its estimate.

Collectors were equally captivated by a rare John Wilkes Booth wanted poster issued by the War Department on April 20, 1865, offering a $100,000 reward. It achieved $762,500, more than nine times its low estimate, reflecting the historic and cultural significance of this moment in American history.

Also featured in the sale was a sum book page from Lincoln’s youth, written around 1824 in Spencer County, Indiana. This early example of Lincoln’s handwriting—featuring a brief rhyming verse—fetched $521,200 and set a new auction record for Lincoln’s earliest known writing.

“This was a landmark moment for collectors of historic Americana,” said Alyssa Quinlan, CEO of Freeman’s | Hindman. “We witnessed intense competition for items across all periods of Lincoln’s life, with final prices often exceeding expectations. It’s a testament to the enduring fascination with one of America’s most iconic figures.”

The auction preview toured key U.S. cities including Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., generating widespread interest from both national and international buyers. According to Christopher Brink, Senior Specialist and Head of Sale, the auction attracted institutions and private collectors alike, underscoring the global demand for authentic historical artifacts.

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