carved wooden ball

Added by Reginald Hill

Located under Memorabilia

Story behind the treasure: In 1903 my 20 year old grandfather, a cabinet maker and wood carver emigrated to America to make his fortune. His parents gave him his return fare, his lifeline if all else failed. To secure this precious money he used his cabinet making skills to produce a tennis ball sized wooden ball covered in concentric circular grooves to conceal a secret compartment to hide the half sovereigns. Amazingly, apart from some lobing, the secret compartment is still almost invisible to the casual observer 106 years later. Photograph attached shows this unique and fascinating family heirloom.