An auction dedicated to Abraham Lincoln is to feature more than 100 signed items in January 2013, spanning most aspects of his life and death.
 The already-popular Lincoln memorabilia market is set to receive a boost from cinemas in 2013 |
The auction encompasses Lincoln's pre-presidential life until his assassination in 1865 and will include the last photograph ever taken of the president. It is being held to coincide with the release of a film of his life, entitled Lincoln, which is set to reignite the already-strong interest in perhaps the most popular US president.
The film itself focuses on Lincoln's struggle to free America's slaves during the US civil war. In June, an original copy of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation sold to New York investor David Rubenstein for $2.1m. Emancipation-related memorabilia has been performing well ever since, with the George T Downing collection of abolitionist correspondence selling 150% above estimate in September.
From Lincoln's days as a member of the US House of Representatives comes a document in his own hand regarding an 1850 legal case, as well as a carte-de-visit photograph taken of his family's one-room log cabin in Kentucky.
While the early memorabilia gives an insight into the events that built one of the US' greatest men, perhaps the most intriguing items in the sale are those relating to his assassination, with a huge 1868 artist's proof engraving of Lincoln's deathbed scene sure to draw strong interest. Also included is a letter from the Ford's Theatre actress who cradled his head in her lap shortly before he died.
Paul Fraser Collectibles is currently offering our readers the chance to own a truly unique piece of Lincoln memorabilia - the wallpaper from the bedroom of the only house he ever owned.
