Build your Library/Bibliography

I believe it is best to start any collection with at least a rudimentary knowledge about that which is being collected. Besides which, doing your due diligence at first may save you some grief down the road.

To start, I suggest a trip to your local library. With most libraries now being computerized, it makes searching that much easier. There are various keywords associated with canes including walking sticks, staffs, rods, and scepters. On my first trip to the library, I came home with a small paperback copy of Canes and Walking sticks by Kurt Stein. I found this to be an excellent beginning reference, and on returning the book to the library, decided to purchase the book from a local bookstore. Imagine my surprise (and disappointment) to find that the book was out of print! Because I felt the material contained was invaluable, I checked the book out once again, and photocopied the contents. It is a wonderful reference for beginning collectors. (A short time later, this same book came up for auction on e-Bay, and I have seen it come up for auction several times through the years.)

Below is a list containing the names of some excellent and indispensable books with which a serious collector should become familiar and acquire, if possible. Some are in print, and others are not. Those not in print may sometimes be acquired through used/rare book searches on the internet. From time to time books come up for auction on e-Bay. The list below is in no way complete, and I encourage readers to send me the names of related books and articles they find to be interesting and helpful. However it is a start:

Title: American Folk Art Canes Author: George H. Meyer
Title: Cane Curiosa, From Gun to Gadget Author: Catherine Dike
Title: Canes of the United States Author: Catherine Dike
Title: Canes Through the Ages Author: Francis H. Monek
Title: Canes & Walking Sticks Author: Kurt Stein
Title: Canes from the Seventeenth to Twentieth Century Author: Jeffrey B. Snyder
Title: Fascinating Walking Sticks Author: AE Boothroyd
Title: The Mandel Cane Collection (click for book review) Author: Youseff W. Kadri
Title: Walking Sticks Author: Ulrich Klever
Title: Walking Sticks Author: Edward Hart
Title: Walking Sticks (Text in Italian and English) Author: Alfredo Lamberti
Title: Canes and Walking Sticks - A Stroll Through Time and Place Author: Jeffrey B. Snyder

In addition, there are other books you may want to include in your library, specifically a good wood identification book, and perhaps a book on hallmarks. I have found Miller’s Silver & Sheffield Plate Marks by John Bly to be a helpful guide. It is pocket sized, and therefore portable. It includes a guide to makers and styles. Although not complete, it is a start. What Wood is That? A Manual of Wood Identification by Herbert L. Edlin includes 40 actual wood specimens inside.

Educate yourself and build your library. As a collector, the more knowledgeable you are, the less likely you are to be duped by an unscrupulous seller.