Hey everyone,
I need some help figuring out what to do with an interesting piece of history. My dad recently passed away and left me a lottery ticket from way back in 1767. The cool thing is, it’s got John Hancock’s signature on it!
I’m not sure how my dad got his hands on this or how much it might be worth. Has anyone dealt with something like this before? Should I get it appraised or authenticated? I’m a bit nervous about handling such an old document.
Any advice on what steps to take next would be really helpful. Thanks in advance!
I’d recommend reaching out to a reputable auction house or historical document specialist for an appraisal. They can authenticate the signature and assess the ticket’s condition. be cautious about handling it yourself - even oils from your skin could damage such an old document. Consider having it professionally conserved to preserve its value. Keep in mind that provenance is important for items like this, so try to gather any information about how your father acquired it. The market for colonial-era artifacts can be quite lucrative, but don’t rush into any decisions about selling. Take your time to understand what you have and explore your options carefully.
Whoa, that’s such a cool piece of history you’ve got there! 
Your dad must’ve been quite the collector. I totally get why you’re a bit nervous about it - I would be too!
First off, don’t panic. Just keep it somewhere safe and dry for now. Maybe grab some cotton gloves if you need to handle it?
I’d definitely look into getting it authenticated. There are some reputable auction houses that deal with historical documents - places like Sotheby’s or Christie’s. They might be able to help or at least point you in the right direction.
Oh, and you might want to check out the National Archives website. They’ve got some great info on preserving old documents. Could be handy!
Whatever you decide to do, that’s such a cool inheritance. Kinda makes you feel connected to history, doesn’t it? Good luck with it all!
wow thats an amazing find! id be super careful handling it, old paper can be fragile. maybe reach out to a museum or auction house that specializes in historical documents? they could authenticate it and give u an idea of its value. just dont let anyone pressure u into selling if ur not ready