All is evidently well in the wonderful world of eBay - a fact confirmed by the (quite literally) once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a Texas snowball.

Yes indeedy, for bids in excess of a very, very cool $20k, you can commemorate the historical meteorological events of Xmas 2004 which turned parts of the Lone Star State into a veritable winter wonderland. Read on:

This is a wonderful piece of history, a snowball has not been made in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. in over a hundred years, this I made in my front yard in Laguna Vista, TX (about 5 miles from South Padre). On December 25.2004. It has not snowed here since about 1889. A lot of people here never seen snow, it was an extraordinary event. If you are a science buff or just want part of history for many years you should bid now. The snowball is in great condition, very clean bright white. It's size is about 4" X 4" X 3" a baseball. Don't miss out bid now or wait a hundred years and make your own.

Quite right. Texas snowballs are as rare as hen's teeth - get 'em while they're, er, cold. Speaking of which, the vendor notes that he will "CHECK ON METHOD OF SHIPPING WITH MAILBOX ETC/UPS STORE OR HOW EVER WINNING BIDDER WANTS IT SHIPPED". Well, if we were paying 20 grand for a snowball, we'd want it shipped in something suitably chilly. A fridge comes to mind. And at that price we'd expect the seller to throw in a carrot nose, a couple of pieces of coal for eyes and a ten-gallon hat to make it a real refrigerated talking-point. ®

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