Black Man Canes

The black man canes (also called the Black Men Canes) are original, yet controversial pieces of antique canes, which have an increased popularity and dual meanings. Having various unique stories, cultural backgrounds, historic times and spaces as their origins, the “black man canes” are expressions of believes, prejudices and cultural conflicts of the previous historic eras.

There are two significant types of black man canes: the original appeals and the caricatured canes. Firstly, the original “black man” cane originates in the slave culture, representing a reaction against the oppressions of the society. These canes are valid collectibles and even more, the investment is safe and assured, as these race-symbol based and cultural canes will hold their value. These “black man” canes represent true descriptions of an era which was ruled by prejudices and racial injustice, when the need of feeling superior and oppression were present in all aspects of life.

The second type of the “black man” cane is represented by a caricatured face of black men or women, with exaggerated features or smiles. Because they are meant to offend the subjects and to intimidate them, these canes are considered deliberate racial prejudices.

The most frequent examples of Black Men Canes are the Sambo, the Minstrel and the Reluctant Beheaded canes, which are deliberately intended to accentuate and focus on an awareness of racial difference. Based on the unfounded myths of racial inferiority, this sort of “black man” canes are results of cultural frustrations and unjustified believes.

Black Man Cane
Besides these two main categories of “black man” canes, there is also another distinctive class of such sticks. This category is typified by the craftsmen’s renderings of the faces belonging to black men and women for their cane handles. These canes are representative for the Moorish, North African, or Caribbean cultures, as the features of the faces resemble physiognomy of these people. The value of these canes is represented by the beauty investment of the artist in the represented portrays, which is a true expression of a cultural identity.

The three types of “black man” canes are distinctive interpretations of cultural facts, racial believes or illustrations of specific physiognomies. With a thin line that separates the authentic and valuable art from the exaggerated and cartoonish handles, the “black man” canes represent a true enigma and mysteries story, with cultural and racial meanings and substrates.

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Antique Cane Auctions

An antique cane auction is a highly organized and planned event, which takes place following specific rules, in an ambient full of historic patterns. The first step of the auction is represented by the preview of the selected objects, such as sword canes. These antique canes can be found in wide ranges and they are set organized on tables, inviting the participants to observe their qualities. If complete information about the antique canes is desired, the bidders and potential buyers can address to the cane experts. These experts are usually responsible for the summarized descriptions and photographs in the auction’s catalog.

The participants are both new and old collectors, some experienced, some beginners, but all interested in purchasing the perfect items for their collections. With a wide variety of prices, styles and types of antique canes, these auctions are adaptable to all budgets, interests and artistic tastes. Ranging from plain wood and engraved ivory or bamboo to expensive carved silver with jeweled handles, the spectrum of antique canes gives the collectors numerous purchasing possibilities. When examining the details, design and carving of these objects, the canes become authentic and palpable historic elements of art, which impress the buyers much more than the pictures in the catalog.

The Cane Auction

Attending a cane auction can be very exciting and you’ll feel the room buzzing with energy and excitement. Each person attending the auction is there for a reason, be it to find a missing part or perhaps to add a missing cane to their collection.

Although you can examine the cane before, you need to understand where the person selling the cane obtain it from. The last thing you want is to end up buying a fake cane made from antique parts and by understand who owned the cane before hand help authenticate the item.

Once the bidding starts, it can become very heated, not only from the bidders sitting next to you, but those bidding by phone as well. The key is to keep a cool head, understand what you’re willing to pay and not to exceed that amount.

Should an item not be sold, then a second round of bidding will occur and you’ll have another chance at picking up the antique canes or walking sticks you missed during the first round.

Prices of antique canes can range from under $100 to more than $10,000! When a cane has gadgets built into it or ornate designs made from precious metals, such as gold, the values can climb fast!

The antique cane auction is a professional way of experiencing the world of these valuable artistic items. By exchanging ideas, impressions and information about this hobby and purchasing the right pieces, the collectors develop their expertise and knowledge regarding their passion and valuable investment.

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Gun Canes

Gun canes are one of the most popular gadgets an antique collector can have in his or her cane collection.

Not only is the gun cane popular, but at a recent cane auction, a Remington gun cane firm 1875 sold for more than $10,000! The dog head of this gun cane was in an L share and classic gutta-percha design known of Remington.

Gun Cane
Gun canes are designed to look like a cane or walking stick and were extremely popular in the 1850′s. These types of gun canes served only as a way to scare away a predator and buy time to escape. Although some gun canes were designed with a pop-up scope, their accuracy was never very dependable.

John F Thomas is said to have designed the first gun cane (a percussion cane gun) and split his invention with Remington who is believed to have started mass production in 1960.

Cane Gun
Later, as other can guns were made, handles were designed in a variety of shapes, including ball and claw, variations of the dog head, full curve, curve with flat gripping area, bulbous-shape, and of course the L-shape.

Not many gun canes were made [Remington's percussion and the Thomas Patent Rim fire], in fact, less then 2,000 were produced over a twenty seven year period. It’s no wonder why these gun canes are so highly sought after by antique cane collectors around the world!

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