Historical information

This wooden cash ball came from the retail business of Cramond and Dickson. It was part of the mechanism for sending money and change to and from the customer to a shop assistant dealing with the finances. The ball ran along sloping rails in the shop. John Cramond and James Dickson, both from Scotland, established a general store in Warrnambool in 1855 in Timor Street. The business was later transferred to the corner of Liebig and Timor Streets and became a well-known landmark in Warrnambool, closing in 1973.

Significance

This item is significant as it came from one of the most important businesses in Warrnambool’s retail history – that of Cramond and Dickson. It also is an important example of retail store practice in the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Physical description

This is a cylindrical wooden ball which separates into two parts to allow the insertion of money in the middle. There is a round metal disc which is housed in the centre of the wooden ball.It has a circle marked on the outer surface of both semi circles of the ball. It is brown in colour.

Inscriptions & markings

On both halves of the ball on the outside – ‘D 4’