Sir Francis Drake’s will is up for grabs. The asking price? $1.6m.

The celebrated seafarer signed the document in 1588, just moments before launching into battle against the Spanish Armada.

Sir Francis Drake signed this document just hours before fighting the Spanish

“It is extraordinary British material. Drake signed it… not knowing whether he would return or not,” explains Gary Zimet of Moments in Time, the dealer offering the item.

"Sir Francis Drake is an extremely rare autograph and may only come up ever 15-20 years."

Sir Francis, who in 1580 had completed only the second circumnavigation of the globe, survived the Armada invasion and continued to bother the Spanish until his death in 1596.

The asking price looks optimistic. A Francis Drake signed document, albeit not a will of this timely nature, sold for $40,000 in 2012.

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