"1760" CANE- Pre-Revolutionary War "Museum Artifact" Start Price USD 1,995.00 Current Price USD 1,995.00 Time Left 16 days 8 hours 17 minutes Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, September 26, 2008 End Time Saturday, January 24, 2009 Location Chester, New Jersey See more about '"1760" CANE- Pre-Revolutionary War "Museum Artifact"' Description *****READ THE ENTIRE LISTING, TO UNDERSTAND IT COMPLETELY.***** As you will read, I present a lot of speculation regarding the potential history of this or any item of this age, but the simple fact remains, that many canes exist dated 1850 - 1900, fancier and many adorned in gold, but VERY FEW exist, which are clearly dated 100+ YEARS earlier, as this one is. I believe it's worth at least twice the current price, so it is a definite bargain. This is an absolutely profound and unique item, which truly celebrates and embodies the roots and beginnings of AMERICA. It demonstrates the staying power, at that time, of a yet to be formed Democratic UNITED STATES. The interest level for this item is and has been amazing. It is quite an investment. The value will never diminish; only rise. Antique Brokers & Market Scouts of such artifacts with qualified clients, would log in meaningful commissions, for finding an item like this for their customer. To the serious collector, this is a "must have" 18th century item. When you place your bid, (possessing acceptable feedback rating); please email us, with as much bid confirmation and personal contact information as possible, so it can be determined to be a valid bid submission. *We reserve the right to end the auction early in any event, as the cane is listed for sale locally and publicized in major City newspaper publications, in the Northeast U.S.. This is a definite "Museum Quality & Worthy" Artifact. It's engraving is dated "1760" (The 18th Century)( 244 years old ), pre-dating the beginning of The Revolutionary War in April 1775, by 15 years. It was made and in use before The 13 Colonies became The United States. It was in use before George Washington achieved glory, as General of our Troops and later, our First President. The initials on the head are "CTG". If interpreted as a monogram, it would be "CGT". This cane came into our possession, by way of a fellow N.J. collector, who discovered it in a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts. That owner had determined it's origin to be the immediate Boston town center area. The United States Census Bureau did not commence recording genealogy statistics until 1790. We rely on it's history and origin, as it was quoted to us. I researched it's origin from every possible vantage point. Relying on the fact that it probably lived it's years in Boston or vicinity, since there were only a few populated City areas in that era, along the Eastern seaboard and that Boston would have been predominantly English or Scottish, it stands to reason that the initials represent "C"- Charles, Calvin, Clive or the like. The "T" most likely being Thomas. The "G" would most likely stand for Gordon (English) or Griffin (Scottish). The only way to identify the actual owner, would be to search through cemetery record archives. It was crafted only 68 years following the "Salem Witch Trials", which were held in March of 1692. Since the average lifespan of an individual at that time was 30-40 years of age, the owner would have or may have been born in the early 1700's, since he would have carried it during his adult years. It measures 38 inches in length. If this seems long, consider that men wore "high heel buckle" shoes in the day. Think about it; this cane was carried during the time period of such notable historic events as, "The Boston Tea Party", "Paul Revere's Ride", "The Revolutionary War", "The drafting and signing of The Declaration of Independence", "The Mexican American War" and "The Seven Years War". It could very well have been at "The signing of The Declaration of Independence", for all anyone can surmise. Approximately 20 years ago, an original copy of The Declaration of Independence sold for between $4 & $6 million, after it surfaced, disguised behind a insignificant framed print, at a garage sale(a mere piece of "parchment" paper). This cane was probably owned by an upper-middle class individual, as opposed to an upper class person, since it is made of Pewter/Silver (a bit primative & unrefined, typical of the period and of craftsmen such as Paul Revere) and Malacca or Rosewood, rather than crafted of Gold and Ebony. It's bottom tip is brass. It has a typical early hand engraved floral petal bezel trim design. It's shaft is not perfectly round, straight and tapered, proving it was formed from a branch and therefore "original", (shown in photos). It seems to be weighted at the top with some sort of lead shot, as it makes a sandy sound, if shaken. It has two small buttons in the shaft below the head; probably anchoring the head. Overall; it is in very nice condition for it's age. It has a slight crack in it's head, but this could never diminish from it's obviously intrigueing history. Canes were often used to knock on doors, so rarely appear today without imperfections to their head knobs. I am not professing that this is a "Hope Diamond" type item, or that it is so rare in our society today. But; it is rare that it is still in circulation, among the general public and available for private ownership. It should have ended up in a Museum many years ago. Here is an opportunity for the serious collector of such canes, to own a truly early example of an American or British artifact. THIS IS A GENUINE SURVIVOR PIECE OF HISTORY, which someone can still acquire for their private collection. Please don't write me, saying that such items are common and sell for much less. I know such items exist, but as everyone knows, commonly reside quite securely in museums, precluding them from private sale. Plus; there are those individuals, who given the chance, would buy up every item in each of our Museums, across the U.S. GOOD LUCK !!! Grab it; while I'm inclined to part with it. Otherwise, it might end up here for the next 50 years and then end up locked up, in yet another Museum, off the open market and unattainable forever. An opportunity to acquire such an item, does not come along often !!! I personally own several 1850's Gold Head canes worth 10K each, which I had thought were old, but this one's 100 more years of history alone, simply makes it "THE CANE" of all. If one can clearly consider the 1760 date; the historic timeline attributes are truly staggering. Regardless of the purchase price someone will pay now; it will never depreciate in value. It's like a fine & rare painting. It can be enjoyed in a Collection, while growing in Investment Value. Consider it; Real Nice Material Compensation and investment potential. THIS IS SIMPLY MAGNIFICENT !!! & without doubt, VERY RARE !!! Definitely; "THE PERFECT ACQUISITION by, or PERFECT GIFT for, THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING" *****We've done our best to support our price figures.***** Remember; a seller, sells the future and a buyer, buys the past. This item, being a remarkable piece of the past, WILL NEVER depreciate in the future. It will possess more value and command a greater price with each subsequent sale. Being "one of a kind", it's value escalation is assured. Good Luck ! *Bid or Buy to own. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. NO REFUNDS for Buyer Remorse. Place a Bid!