Ronald Reagan Blood Auction Canceled

Ronald Reagan’s vial of blood will no longer be auctioned off to the highest bidder, according to the PFC Auction house, where the consigner was set to sell the memorabilia.

The European auction house canceled the sale on Thursday, stating they have received complaints from the late U.S. president’s family and his foundation, according to The Huffington Post.

PFC Auctions stated Thursday that the seller withdrew the item in favor of donating it to the former president’s foundation. The vial of dried blood has been linked to the 1981 assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan.

The Seattle Post Intelligencer reports that John Heubusch, the executive director of the Reagan Foundation, stated of the news that:

“We are very pleased with this outcome and wish to thank the consignors and PFC auctions for their assistance.”

He went on to state, according to Fox News, that:

“While we contend that the removal of the vial from the hospital laboratory and the U.S. auction sale … were not legal acts in our opinion, we are grateful to the current custodian of the vial for this generous donation to the foundation ensuring President Reagan’s blood remains out of public hands.”

PFC Auctions also reports, according to The Associated Press, that the seller purchased the item at a public auction in the U.S. earlier this year for a large sum of $3,550. The seller, who is a serious collector of presidential memorabilia, stated:

“I would personally be delighted to see this important artifact put on public display by the Foundation.”

President Ronald Reagan was injured during an assassination attempt on March 30, 1981. He was hit by a ricocheting bullet, and taken to Georgetown University Hospital, according to The AP. The blood was taken at the hospital in the days after he was wounded, to test for lead in his system. The shooter, John Hinckley, was found not guilty by reason of insanity and is currently living out his days at a psychiatric institution.

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