It seems the concept of a lottery to raise money is nothing new. More than 450 years ago, Queen Elizabeth I floated the idea of a national lottery in Britain for good causes, one of her letters has revealed.
The two-page letter, signed by Elizabeth I in 1566, is expected to fetch 20,000 pounds at an auction, 'The Times' newspaper reported.
The Queen's letter was written to Sir John Spencer, an official, and states that the money raised shall be "employed to good and publique acts and beneficially for o(u)r Realme and o(u)r Subjects".
There were to be 400,000 lots, each 10 shillings, with prizes to be paid in combination of gold and merchandise, including linens and fine fabrics. But, it states only persons of "good trust" be allowed to collect cash. At a time when much of the population was illiterate the prizes were illustrated on scrolls displayed in public places.
The money raised was in effect an interest-free loan to the government. It is not recorded who claimed the jackpot -- perhaps they ticked a box requesting no publicity.
Spencer was instructed to issue books of numbers and tickets and allowed six pence from every pound raised to pay the collectors.
As a final incentive to Spencer, for every 500 pounds raised, a further 50 shillings would be given to him. The draw took three years to organise and was not held until 1569, due to a lack of support and logistics involved in selling the tickets across the country.
The lottery was not deemed to be such a success that it was repeated, but similar draws took place between 1750 and 1826. Richard Davie, of International Autograph Auctions, who is selling the letter, said: "The letter includes a good blind embossed paper seal and it is two pages long with her distinctive, flourishing signature."
