Numbered Wooden Balls
Production date
Pre 14 Jun 1917
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Object detail
Description
Numbered wooden balls used in the first draws of the Golden Casket. Each is 20mm diameter with five digit number stamped on it.
Classification
RECREATIONS Gambling lottery
Production date
Pre 14 Jun 1917
Measurements
Dia 20 mm
Media/Materials description
Wood, ink.
Signature/Marks
<each ball bears a five digit number>
History and use
These numbered wooden balls are associated with the first two draws of the Golden Casket Art Union. The first draw was held in Queensland on 14 June 1917. The idea for the art union was proposed by the Entertainment Committee of the Queensland Patriotic Fund in 1916, during World War 1, with the aim of raising funds for the rehabilitation and repatriation of returned Australian sailors and soldiers.
Although art unions were a common method of fund-raising for charity during early 20th Century Australia, the Golden Casket art union was seen as different due to the extraordinarily large amount of prize money that was offered. First prize for the first Casket was £5,000 and the total prize money was £10,000. To compare, the average salary of a male in Queensland in 1917 was £2 to £3 per week.
The first Casket took 17 weeks to fill and people from most major cities around Australia could apply for a ticket. The draw took place in the Brisbane Stadium at 2’o’clock and the event was attended by a large crowd including select dignitaries, members of the press and the public.
Although art unions were a common method of fund-raising for charity during early 20th Century Australia, the Golden Casket art union was seen as different due to the extraordinarily large amount of prize money that was offered. First prize for the first Casket was £5,000 and the total prize money was £10,000. To compare, the average salary of a male in Queensland in 1917 was £2 to £3 per week.
The first Casket took 17 weeks to fill and people from most major cities around Australia could apply for a ticket. The draw took place in the Brisbane Stadium at 2’o’clock and the event was attended by a large crowd including select dignitaries, members of the press and the public.
Associated person
Registration number
H22487
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