President Lincoln's blood-stained gloves sold for more than €6 million at debt-relief auction

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, Chicago)

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)

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.