1 / 12A trove of 144 rare Abraham Lincoln artefacts — including items from the night of his assassination — went under the hammer at Freeman’s/Hindman auction house. The sale, meant to clear a $8 million debt incurred by the Lincoln Presidential Foundation in 2007, raised $7.9 million, with 136 items sold. (AP Photo)
2 / 12The auction was held to retire a two-decade-old loan taken by the Lincoln Presidential Foundation to purchase the 1,540-item collection from California collector Louise Taper. The once-public collection has been mired in controversy, fundraising delays, and disputed provenance for over a decade. (AP Photo)
3 / 121. Lincoln’s Blood-Stained Gloves — $1.52 Million | The gloves found in Lincoln’s pocket at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865, the night he was assassinated, were the most expensive item sold. (AP Photo)
4 / 122. Assassination Night Handkerchief — $826,000 | One of the two handkerchiefs Lincoln carried the night of his assassination was auctioned for over three-quarters of a million dollars. (Source: Library of Congress)
5 / 123. “Wanted” Poster for John Wilkes Booth — $762,500 | A rare “Wanted” poster of Booth and co-conspirators fetched a stunning amount, far above its estimated $120,000. (AP Photo)
6 / 124. Lincoln’s Earliest Known Handwriting — $521,200 | An 1824 notebook entry from a young Abraham Lincoln, the earliest known example of his handwriting, was auctioned, too. (AP Photo)
7 / 125. Campaign Broadside (1860) — $175,000 | A bold printed broadside urging Lincoln’s election brought in significant collector interest. (Source: Library of Congress)
8 / 126. Lincoln’s Law Book — $165,000 | A volume used during his Illinois law practice in the 1840s was among the more scholarly relics to draw bidders. (AP Photo)
9 / 127. Lincoln and Mary Todd’s Wedding Invitation — $142,000 | A rare printed invitation from their 1842 wedding sold for a sum reflecting both historical and romantic value. (Source: Library of Congress)
10 / 128. Personal Letter to Mary Todd Lincoln — $135,000 | A handwritten letter from Lincoln to his wife during the Civil War drew emotional attention. (Source: Library of Congress)
11 / 129. Mourning Ribbon from Lincoln’s Funeral — $98,000 | A black mourning ribbon worn by a funeral attendee was preserved and auctioned for nearly $100,000. (Source: Library of Congress)
12 / 1210. Child’s Drawing of Lincoln (circa 1865) — $45,000 | A touching drawing made by a young admirer shortly after Lincoln’s death highlighted his impact on everyday Americans. (AP Photo)
