A collection of important items linked to President Abraham Lincoln went up for auction on Wednesday. Notably, the collection included blood-stained leather gloves Lincoln carried the night he was killed.

Loan Repayment Motivates Auction

Out of 144 items, the auction sold 136. The Lincoln Presidential Foundation used this sale to pay off an $8 million loan it took 20 years ago. This loan helped the foundation buy a rare group of Lincoln artifacts from a California collector.

Auction Details and Earnings

The auction took place at Freeman’s/Hindman in Chicago. It raised $7.9 million. However, this amount includes a 28% buyer’s fee to cover the auction house’s costs.

The gloves became the highest-selling item, fetching $1.52 million, including fees. Meanwhile, one of two handkerchiefs Lincoln carried on April 14, 1865—the night he was shot—sold for $826,000.

Rare Items Fetch High Prices

Additionally, a “Wanted” poster featuring three suspects in the assassination plot led by John Wilkes Booth sold for $762,500. This far exceeded the top estimate of $120,000.

Furthermore, the earliest known sample of Lincoln’s handwriting from a notebook dated 1824 sold for $521,200.

Foundation’s Response

The foundation did not respond to calls or emails requesting comments. However, their website stated that proceeds would go toward paying off the loan. It added, “Any excess funds will go toward our continued care and display of our extensive collection.”

Background of the Collection

The foundation purchased a large collection of 1,540 items from Louise Taper in 2007. This purchase was for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, which opened in 2005. The museum is located in the city where Lincoln practiced law and served in the Illinois Legislature and Congress.

The collection aimed to add rare artifacts to the museum. Although the museum already held many Lincoln documents, it lacked unique objects to attract visitors.

Financial Challenges and Controversy

However, fundraising efforts were slow. As a result, the foundation had to sell parts of the collection unrelated to Lincoln. It also warned it might sell more items before extending the loan.

In 2012, controversy surrounded the collection’s most famous piece—a stovepipe hat believed to belong to Lincoln. The hat was valued at $6 million and was said to be a gift from Lincoln to a supporter in southern Illinois.

Nevertheless, this story faced doubts. A 2019 study, reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, found no proof that the hat belonged to Lincoln. Therefore, the hat was not included in Wednesday’s auction.