Culture Lincoln's blood-stained gloves fetch over €6 million at rare...

Lincoln’s blood-stained gloves fetch over €6 million at rare auction

-

- Advertisment -
ADVERTISEMENT

A collection of artifacts linked with President Abraham Lincoln, including the blood-stained leather gloves he worn the night of his assassination, have been sold at an auction in the United States for $7.9 million (€6.9 million).

A total of 144 items up for sale to pay off the remainder of a two decade old $8 million (€7 million) debt that the Lincoln Presidential Foundation used to buy a one-of-a-kind cluster of Lincoln artifacts from a California collector.

The gloves proved to be the most popular item, fetching $1.52 million (€1.35 million) including the premium. One of two handkerchiefs Lincoln had with him on April 14, 1865, the night he was shot, went for $826,000 (€731,000).

A portrait of Abraham Lincoln, which was signed by him and taken by Alexander Hesler, on display at Freeman's | Hindman in West Loop, Chicago
A portrait of Abraham Lincoln, which was signed by him and taken by Alexander Hesler, on display at Freeman’s | Hindman in West Loop, ChicagoAP Photo/Pat Nabong/Chicago Sun-Times

A “Wanted” poster featuring photos of three suspects in the assassination conspiracy, led by John Wilkes Booth, sold for $762,500 (€674,72 million), far higher than the top estimated price of $120,000 (€106 million).

A page that shows the earliest known example of Abraham Lincoln's handwriting
A page that shows the earliest known example of Abraham Lincoln’s handwriting AP Photo/Pat Nabong/Chicago Sun-Times

The earliest known sample of the 16th president’s handwriting, from a notebook in 1824, fetched $521,200 (€461,140).

In 2012 a controversy arose over what had been the crown jewel of the group — a stovepipe hat, appraised at $6 million, that Lincoln was said to have given as a gift to a southern Illinois supporter.

That story came under intense scrutiny, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, resulting in a 2019 study that found there was no evidence the hat belonged to Lincoln. It was not part of Wednesday’s auction.

The foundation purchased a 1,540-item assemblage in 2007 from Louise Taper for the fledgling Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which opened in 2005 in the city where he established a law practice and lived while serving in the Illinois Legislature and briefly in Congress.

The artifacts were supposed to give the library and museum, which was rich in Lincoln-related manuscripts, a boost in what it lacked – the curiosities that attract tourists.

But fundraising was slow, forcing the sale of non-Lincoln portions of the collection and threats by the foundation to sell more before it finally extended the loan.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest news

Survivors and settlers returned to Pompeii ruins, new research shows

ADVERTISEMENT Though the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD turned Pompeii into a city of ash, killing up to a fifth of its 20,000 residents and leaving it in ruins, new evidence suggests that some survivors - and possibly newcomers - returned to the smouldering remains to rebuild their lives. Fresh excavations from

Former Superman actor Dean Cain says he’s joining Trump’s ICE agency

ADVERTISEMENT Dean Cain, the actor best known for playing Superman in the 90s TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, has announced he’s joining US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - the controversial agency central to Donald Trump’s intensifying immigration crackdown. Speaking to Fox News, Cain said he has spoken with agency

Mubi facing pressure from film industry over Israeli military ties

ADVERTISEMENT Global streaming platform Mubi is facing backlash over investor ties to Israeli military, with filmmakers calling on the production company and film distributor to end its relatioship with investment firm Sequoia Capital. The growing pressure aimed at the upstart distributor, which ushered The Substance to awards success last year, centres on a recent $100 million

Rare first edition of ‘The Hobbit’ sells for record price at auction

ADVERTISEMENT More than 50 years after his death, J. R. R. Tolkien’s fantasy masterpieces never cease to enchant audiences around the world. Now, a rare first edition of Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” has been sold for £43,000 (€49, 500) at an online auction on Wednesday. The first edition was expected to fetch between £10,000-£12,000 at auction, ultimately
- Advertisement -

Zdzisław Beksiński’s dreamlike works on display in Warsaw

ADVERTISEMENT Polish painter and photographer Zdzisław Beksiński invited viewers to enter a world of dreams. Disturbing, unclear, beautiful and above all, deeply surreal. Now, 44 paintings - including 11 never-seen works - are on display at the Museum of Fantastic Art in Warsaw. Kept in the homes of friends, these artworks were living traces of

Mexico accuses Adidas of cultural appropriation over shoe design

ADVERTISEMENT Mexican officials in the southern Oaxaca state have accused sportswear brand Adidas of cultural appropriation over a shoe design reminiscent of a traditional Mexican sandal. The black leather “Oaxaca Slip-On”, inspired by the classic huaraches, is expected to be released as part of a broader collaboration between Adidas Originals and American designer Willy Chavarria.

Must read

Survivors and settlers returned to Pompeii ruins, new research shows

ADVERTISEMENT Though the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD turned Pompeii into a city of ash, killing up to a fifth of its 20,000 residents and leaving it in ruins, new evidence suggests that some survivors - and possibly newcomers - returned to the smouldering remains to rebuild their lives. Fresh excavations from

Former Superman actor Dean Cain says he’s joining Trump’s ICE agency

ADVERTISEMENT Dean Cain, the actor best known for playing Superman in the 90s TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, has announced he’s joining US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) - the controversial agency central to Donald Trump’s intensifying immigration crackdown. Speaking to Fox News, Cain said he has spoken with agency
- Advertisement -

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you