Archive · 23 May 2025
Lincoln's Gloves: Auction of Assassination Items Raises Millions
A collection of Abraham Lincoln's personal items, including his blood-stained gloves from the night he was killed, were sold at an auction.
The sale was held to pay off a debt the organization in charge of the items had.
The gloves sold for a lot of money, making them the most valuable item.
A poster that was made after Lincoln was killed, showing the people who did it, was also sold for a very high price.
The auction helped the organization pay off its debt, but it also means that many important pieces of history are now owned by private people.
The hat that Lincoln was believed to have worn was not sold because people weren't sure it was real.
Bloodstained gloves worn by Abraham Lincoln on the night of his assassination were sold at auction.
The auction was held to resolve an $8 million debt faced by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Foundation.
The gloves fetched $1.52 million, becoming the highest-selling item in the auction.
A wanted poster for John Wilkes Booth and his accomplices sold for $762,500, exceeding expectations.
The auction involved the sale of 136 items from a collection originally intended for the museum.
- Who
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Foundation, private collectors, and auction house.
- What
- Auction of Abraham Lincoln's personal items, including his bloodstained gloves from the night of his assassination.
- When
- April 14, 1865 (assassination) and this week (auction).
- Where
- Chicago (auction location).
- Why
- To repay a debt of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Foundation.
- Gloves Sale Price
- $1.52 million
- Total Auction Revenue
- $7.9 million
- Handkerchief Sale Price
- $826,000
- Wanted Poster Sale Price
- $762,500
- Date of Assassination
- April 14, 1865