Photo: Jay Willett (WBZ)
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — It's not your average Powerball ticket.
"The title of the book is 'Benefit Tickets in the Government Lottery of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, For the Sum of Thirty Seven Thousand Five Hundred Pounds," said rare books dealer Fuchsia Voremberg of Maggs Bros. Ltd.
According to Voremberg, the book is thought to be the only surviving copy of lottery results from the Massachusetts Bay colony in 1745.
"Prior to this copy coming onto the market, we’re not even sure if people knew that it existed," Voremberg told WBZ NewsRadio Sunday.
The artifact is one of hundreds of rare books, manuscripts, maps, atlases, autographs, and other literary items on display at the 45th Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair at the Hynes Convention Center this weekend. Visitors to the three-day event can hold, inspect, or even buy items that date back centuries.
Manuscript dealer John Reznikoff of University Archives showed off a love letter from founding father George Washington, written prior to his presidency.
"'Dear Madam, when I had the happiness to see you last, you expressed an inclination,'" Reznikoff read.
"This is an amazing survival of the only known letter of George Washington in private hands to the real love of his life, who was Sally Fairfax," he added.
WBZ's Jay Willett (@JayWillettWBZ) reports.
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