CONTINENTAL CONGRESS – UNITED STATES LOTTERY  —  RESOLUTION OF NOVEMBER 18, 1776    ‘CLASS THE FIRST’ TICKET

[UNITED STATES LOTTERY]  DELANY, SHARP.  (c1739-1799).  Colonel in American Revolutionary War; first Collector of Customs in Philadelphia, who was appointed to the position by his close friend: George Washington.   Partly-printed Document Signed, “S. Delany”, in the lower right corner, being a printed lottery Ticket for the first Continental Congress authorized lottery in the United States.  One page, oblong 24mo.  Library of Congress indicates this lottery ticket was printed by JOHN DUNLAP, the printer of the Declaration of Independence. Also has ownership signature of “W[illia]m Gordon” attesting to his ownership on the front.  Fine condition, center fold archivally strengthened on the verso.    This lottery was established as a way of raising funds that would be less objectionable than taxation.  This particular lottery was poorly received, since the payout ratio was low compared to other lotteries that were common at the time.  Later issues were summarily cancelled and not issued, though printed examples exist. There are several classes, plate letters and signature varieties to collect.  This is a superior example of the first issue.                                                                                        

 

$395.00