My latest PlanetSlade book – number six in a planned series of ten - opens with my trio of essays about remarkable treasure hunts and the widespread chaos they caused. I’ve kept all these three pieces available as free online articles for well over a decade, but now I’m asking people to buy the book instead.
First up is the 1904 circulation scheme hatched by a British newspaper called the Weekly Dispatch, which drove otherwise sensible citizens to dig up every inch of public or private land they could get their hands on. It took dozens of arrests and an intervention from the Government to restore order there, leaving about 40 of the prize medallions still to be discovered today.
Next comes the full story behind Kit Williams’ extraordinary 1979 puzzle book Masquerade, including the questionable methods used to finally find Williams’ golden hare and my own small part in discovering its 2009 whereabouts and getting it returned to the UK for a public exhibition. The book also explains the full solution to Masquerade’s intricate puzzle - red herrings and all!
Finally, there’s the unknown story of Lobby Lud’s adventures in London. Lobby, the human quarry sought by eager Westminster Gazette readers in 1927, is best known for his trips to British seaside resorts, but far less so for the madness he unleashed in our nation’s capital. The scheme gave Lobby a wife and a cheeky young cousin too, as well as his own song.
Among the book’s bonus material, you’ll find my account of a BBC radio hoax which predated Orson Welles’ War of the World’s broadcast by a full 12 years and the unexpected origins of what is undoubtedly the world’s greatest newspaper correction. All these delights can now be yours in either paperback or e-book form for the price of a couple of drinks. Head over to the book’s Amazon page to buy your copy now!
