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JOHN HANCOCK -- A 1765 LOTTERY TICKET FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF FANEUIL HALL ISSUED TO EDWARD PROCTOR, WHO LEAD A GROUP OF MEN ON THE NIGHT OF THE ‘BOSTON TEA PARTY’ TO DUMP INTO THE SEA THE TEA CHESTS SECURED ABOARD THE ‘DARTMOUTH’ WHILE SHE LAY MOORED AT GRIFFIN’S WARF IN BOSTON HARBOR BOLDLY SIGNED BY PROCTOR ON THE VERSO AND STRONGLY SIGNED BY HANCOCK ON THE RECTO A SIMPLY SUPERB, AND POSSIBLY UNIQUE, COMBINATION OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOT SIGNATURES

JOHN HANCOCK

$27,500
  • Location: Boston
  • Date: 1765
  • Seller SKU: ABAA754

HANCOCK, JOHN (1737-1793) President of the Continental Congress and of the Congress of the Confederation; Governor of Massachusetts; first Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Scarce Partly-printed "Faneuil-Hall LOTTERY, No. Five" ticket, boldly signed "John Hancock", at the lower center right. Oblong 16mo. [3.5 x 1.75 inches]. Dated: Boston, June 1765. The ticket reads, in full:

"Faneuil-Hall Lottery, No. Five. The possessor of this ticket (No. 4171) is intitled [sic] to any Prize drawn against said Number, in a Lottery granted by an Act of the General Court of the Province of Massachusetts-Bay for Rebuilding Faneuil-Hall; subject to no Deduction'.

In colonial times, lotteries were used to finance public works projects, private constructions and other general enterprises, such as indicted here with the rebuilding of Faneuil Hall, the famous Boston marketplace and meeting hall that had been destroyed by a 1761 fire. Many such projects were funded in this way, with participation being widely accepted by the public. George Washington was responsible for "The Mountain Road Lottery" in Virginia 1767 which attempted to build a road through the Allegheny Mountains and to construct a resort in the area now known as The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia.

Edward Proctor was a prominent citizen and military officer of Boston, born in 1733. He was an importer of West India goods at the "Schooner" market on Fish Street. In addition to participating in the Boston Tea Party he was also an active patriot, was placed on the committee to obtain the resignation of the consignees of the tea, and he commanded the boarding party of the "Dartmouth" the night of the tea protest. In 1756, he joined the "Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company", was a member of the committees of correspondence and safety, joined the St. Andrew's Lodge as Freemason, was Junior Grand Warden of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge, acted as a firewarden, and as an Overseer of the Poor. He died November 1811 at the age of 78 in Boston. [Boston Tea-Party Museum, website].

Another ticket, which was only signed by Hancock, and without the significance and superb historical associations found in our piece, sold at auction in April 2021 just shy of $22,000. One of our "Best of the Best". ™

Offered by Gerard A.J. Stodolski, Inc.

Gerard A.J. Stodolski, Inc.
Specializing in Artist Letters, Historic Autographs & Manuscripts, Presidential Autographs, Science, Signed And Inscribed Books and Signed And Inscribed Photographs.
Our experience spans over six decades in the historic autograph, rare book and manuscript field. During those years we have been engaged in the full-time business of buying, selling and appraising original letters, manuscripts, documents, signed photographs, historical ephemera, posters and books. We have been members of the ABAA and ILAB for over 35 years. Among our many clients are: The White House, the Library of Congress, major libraries, colleges and Ivy League universities. Many of the finest private libraries and collections on the planet contain items that have passed through our hands. The total dollar amount of this material is incalculable. We have been profiled with a segment on the ABC Evening News, and have been quoted and/or interviewed by: The New York Times, NY Daily News, The Washington Post, and other major newspapers, both here and abroad.

We have also authenticated and appraised major collections of material including: Abraham Lincoln's 'House divided' speech for a Morgan Library patron; to Louisa May Alcott's family archive, and the Leon Trotsky archives, both at Harvard University; to a major collection of French Impressionist artist letters; to a world class collection of Charles Dickens, [now residing at the Dickens House Museum in London]; to co-appraising the archives of The New York Stock Exchange, among hundreds of others. Our experience is second to none.

We exhibit at many of the major book fairs and symposiums held nationally and internationally. Additionally, we participate in both auction and non-auction sales of material, representing client interests in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Hong Kong, Philadelphia, London, Paris, Shanghai, Berlin, Rome, Geneva and elsewhere.
Contact the Seller
Gerard A.J. Stodolski
FIVE CHICKADEE COURT
Bedford, NH 03110 USA, New Hampshire 03110
Phone/Text: (603) 488-1775
Our return policy allows items to be returned for any reason within seven (7) days of receipt, in the same condition that the item was sent out. Exceptions to this policy may be considered, if arranged in advance, and the terms must be in writing.
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