Lincoln’s Legacy: Historic Americana From The Life Of Abraham Lincoln Totals Nearly $7.9 Million With 94% Of Lots Sold
Freeman’s | Hindman’s Lincoln’s Legacy: Historic Americana from the Life of Abraham Lincoln, presented on behalf of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation, achieved an impressive total of $7,899,994 (including buyer’s premium), far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of $4 million. The 144-lot auction saw spirited bidding in the room, on the phones, and online, with multiple records broken over the course of the sale. Contributing to the success of the sale, 25% of bidders were new to the firm.
Organized chronologically, the auction traced the full arc of Lincoln’s extraordinary life—from his formative teenage years to the aftermath of his assassination—through rare and deeply personal artifacts. The strong results highlight the enduring power of Lincoln’s legacy and the continued enthusiasm of collectors for objects tied to one of America’s most iconic figures.
Alyssa Quinlan, CEO of Freeman’s | Hindman, stated: “Over the last two months, it has been our honor to introduce both new and established collectors across the U.S. to these special objects and share the stories behind them. Today we saw private collectors, benefactors, and trade buyers competing for individual items at all price levels and from all eras of Abraham Lincoln’s extraordinary life, at times far exceeding our pre-sale estimates and setting new auction benchmarks for historic Americana. With nearly $7.9 million raised in just four hours of auctioneering, we are delighted with the results our team achieved today on behalf of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation, in support of their continued mission of sharing Lincoln’s legacy with the world."
Erin Mast, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Lincoln Presidential Foundation indicated: “Thanks to today's excellent auction results at Freeman's | Hindman, the Foundation is well on its way to meeting two important goals: significant reduction of our long-standing obligation to retire the loan from the 2007 purchase of the collection, and continued care and stewardship of the 1,400 items we have retained—about 90% of the overall collection. As a national non-profit, this marks a significant step forward for our organization and its future philanthropic and educational mission.”
The Final Moments: Objects from Ford’s Theatre
The highest-selling lot of the auction was a poignant pair of stained leather gloves that President Abraham Lincoln carried in his pocket the night he was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865. The gloves realized $1,512,500, setting a new benchmark for Lincoln-related historical artifacts.
Other deeply personal items from that tragic night also captured the attention of bidders. A white linen handkerchief Lincoln carried that evening sparked a nearly 10-minute bidding war in the room and online, ultimately selling for $826,000—more than eight times its low estimate. A gold and black enamel cuff button bearing the initial “L,” removed from Lincoln’s wrist by Dr. Charles Sabin Taft as he searched for the President’s pulse, more than doubled its estimate to achieve $445,000.
The Manhunt
Just days after Lincoln’s assassination, the War Department intensified its pursuit of John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirators. A rare and iconic printed reward poster from that manhunt—offering a staggering $100,000 reward (equivalent to about $2 million today)—sold for $762,500, more than nine times its low estimate. The result reflects both the rarity of the piece and the enduring fascination with this pivotal chapter in American history.
Early Life
The fourth highest lot of the auction was one of the earliest surviving examples of Abraham Lincoln’s handwriting: a double-sided leaf from the future president’s sum book that sold for $521,200. In one corner, the young Lincoln reveals a wry humor, writing: “Abraham Lincoln is my name / And with my pen I wrote / the same / I wrote in both hast and speed / and left it here for fools / to read.”
Darren Winston, SVP and Head of the Books & Manuscripts department said: “It has been an honor to work with these extraordinary items and help steward them on to their next homes. An incredible amount of work went into all aspects of Lincoln’s Legacy, from every corner of Freeman’s | Hindman. The auction preview visited Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Naples, New York, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Scottsdale, and Washington, D.C. Today, we saw determined bidding not only from those cities, but from across the U.S and Europe. A truly historical American sale.”
Christopher Brink, Senior Specialist and Head of Sale stated: “We are thrilled with the results today that underscore the continued strength and vitality of the books and historical Americana market. With competitive bidding from private collectors and institutions alike, the sale exceeded all expectations with overwhelming success of items fresh to the auction market, reaffirming the enduring demand for historically significant material, and highlighting Freeman's | Hindman's leadership in presenting premier collections to the global market."
RECORDS
· A pair of stained leather gloves carried by President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre on the night of his assassination, 14 April 1865. | Sold for $1,512,500 | Auction Record for a Lincoln Assassination Relic | Previous Auction Record $495,000 in 2022
· Lincoln's autograph sum book leaf, signed twice, Pigeon Creek, Spencer County, Indiana, ca. 1824 | Sold for $521,200 | Auction Record for Lincoln's Earliest Known Writing | Previous Auction Record $352,000 in 2006
· $100,000 Reward! The murderer of our late beloved President, Abraham Lincoln, is still at large. 20 April 1865. | Sold for $762,500 Auction Record for John Wilkes Booth Wanted Poster | Previous Auction Record $131,250 in 2024
· First printing of Lincoln's celebrated Second Inaugural Address, 1865. | Sold for $165,600 | Auction Record for Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address | Previous Auction Record $46,000 in 1996
· Orchestra ticket stub for Our American Cousin, 14 April 1865. | Sold for $381,500 | Auction Record for Ford’s Theatre Ticket | Previous Auction Record (for two tickets) $262,500 in 2023
TOP HIGHLIGHTS
A pair of stained leather gloves carried by President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre on the night of his assassination, 14 April 1865. Sold for $1,512,500
A handkerchief carried by President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre on the night of his assassination, 14 April 1865. Sold for $826,000
$100,000 Reward! The murderer of our late beloved President, Abraham Lincoln, is still at large. 20 April 1865. Sold for $762,500
Lincoln's Autograph Sum Book Leaf, signed twice, Pigeon Creek, Spencer County, Indiana, ca. 1824 Sold for $521,200
A cuff button worn by President Abraham Lincoln on the night of his assassination at Ford's Theatre, 14 April 1865. Sold for $445,000
Orchestra ticket stub for Our American Cousin, 14 April 1865. Sold for $381,500
Oval Bust Portrait by Alexander, Hesler, signed ("A. Lincoln"), ca. 3 June 1860. Sold for $254,500
Autograph letter signed ("A. Lincoln") to Jesse O. Norton, 16 February 1855. Sold for $229,100
The Adams Handbill, The Only Known Surviving Copy Of Lincoln's First Printed Work, 5 August 1837. Sold for $178,300
The "Bass-Ackwards" Manuscript, Lincoln's Frontier Ribaldry Sold for $178,300
First Printing of Lincoln's Celebrated Second Inaugural Address, 1865. Sold for $165,600
Lincoln Family Locks of Hair Sold for $127,500
Please note, estimates do not include buyer’s premium. Overall sales totals and individual lot prices are reported inclusive of buyer's premium fees.