When my mother recently had her estate sale, the one thing she wasn't interested in getting rid of was her collection of canes. If you are interested in your own cane collection then you need to check out the cane auction on April 21 in Salem, Massachusetts.
Tradewinds Antiques is selling over 200 canes. The evening before the event, April 20, will feature a preview and a lecture by Barbara Staples, author and noted authority on Boston Post gold presentation canes. The canes up for bid include a wide variety of carved ivory figural canes, decorative canes that include a floral cloisonné, a bowenite w/rubies, a lapis w/rings, a blue enamel w/diamonds,, a Delft tau and the rock crystal and sapphire cane shown here .There are also "gadget canes" that include a sword, a barometer and a mechanical monkey. The rock crystal cane is estimated to sell for $1800-$2800. It's almost enough to make a woman wish for a little minor injury, a broken toe perhaps, in order to carry one of these around.
