Lincoln Memorabilia Sale: Freeman’s | Hindman to Offer Autographs, Relics, and More

Considered one of the greatest presidents in American history, Abraham Lincoln rose from humble beginnings to the height of power during a time of unprecedented national division. His assassination shocked the world and marked a turning point in American politics. Today, Lincoln still ranks among the greatest and most popular American presidents. This May, Lincoln collectors and admirers will have an opportunity to own a piece of his history in the upcoming Lincoln’s Legacy: Historic Americana auction from Freeman’s | Hindman. 

Featuring items from the Lincoln Presidential Foundation’s collection, described as “one of the most important Lincoln collections ever brought to market,” this Lincoln memorabilia sale offers a tour through each phase of the President’s life. Notable lots range from personal effects to autographs, photographs, and ephemera. 

Leading this Lincoln memorabilia sale is a pair of stained leather gloves carried by the President on the night of his assassination (lot #0114; estimate: USD 800,000 – $1,200,000). These gloves were tucked into Lincoln’s pocket during the performance of Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theatre. They remained with his person after John Wilkes Booth issued his fatal gunshot. Lincoln was moved across the street from the theater for emergency medical treatment. After his death early the next day, these gloves (and Lincoln’s other personal effects) were returned to Mary Lincoln. In financial distress years later, she sold them to a presidential memorabilia collector. Today, the white leather gloves are cracked and flaking, but the stains– possibly from Lincoln’s blood– are still visible. 

Several other items related to Lincoln’s assassination will be available in this event, including a cuff button worn by the President on that fateful night (lot #0111; estimate: $200,000 – $300,000). Made of enamel embossed with a gold letter “L”, this button was removed from Lincoln’s garments by Dr. Charles Sabin Taft, the doctor who attended to him after the fatal shooting. Mary Lincoln later gifted the button to Taft in gratitude for his efforts. This example last came to auction with Christie’s in 1990. Its twin currently resides in the Library of Congress. 

An assortment of Lincoln juvenilia will also cross the auction block this month. A notable example is a leaf from a teenage Lincoln’s sum book from circa 1824 (lot #0002; estimate: $300,000 – $400,000). This page from a rustic children’s exercise book is the earliest surviving example of Lincoln’s handwriting. It contains a handwritten verse, two signatures, and several mathematical proofs. 

Lincoln’s stepmother, Sarah Bush Johnston Lincoln, kept his sum book until after his assassination. She later gifted several pages to William H. Herndon, Lincoln’s former law partner, who came calling after the President’s death. This page has not been seen on the market since a 1991 Sotheby’s auction. This delicate artifact has been professionally reinforced with archival silk paper.

The only known surviving copy of Abraham Lincoln’s first printed work will also be available in this sale (lot #0008; estimate: $200,000 – $300,000). Known as the “Adams Handbill,” this three-column handbill was printed in Springfield, Illinois, in August of 1837. Lincoln crafted this handbill while serving in the Illinois House of Representatives as a Whig and practicing law as a newly-minted lawyer. He opposed the probate judge reelection campaign of James Adams, a Democrat whom Lincoln accused of fraud and forgery. Lincoln distributed this handbill in Springfield to dampen Adams’ support– an effort that proved unsuccessful. 

Copies of this handbill were inexpensively printed and, at the time, not considered something worth preserving. The available copy is the only one known to have survived. It is accompanied by a related handbill, printed one week later, identifying Lincoln as the author of the Adams Handbill. 

Other notable Lincoln items in the catalog include an oval bust portrait from circa 1860 (lot #0055; estimate: $100,000 – $150,000), a printed broadside advertising a reward for the capture of John Wilkes Booth (lot #0122; estimate: $80,000 – $120,000), and locks of hair from the Lincoln family (lot #0139; estimate: $20,000 – $30,000). 

Live bidding for this Lincoln memorabilia sale at Freeman’s | Hindman will begin at 11:00am ET on May 21, 2025. Online bidding options and the full catalog are available through LiveAuctioneers.