 A $5000 To $10,000 Cocktail Shaker? (8344)
. Until I started writing about these canes, I never really paid close attention to their details. I now have to examine them in detail, to not only describe them, but to determine how they were made. To determine if they are fakes or not, we have to know if the way they are made is of the period, and whether their quality is of the period.. When I looked at the manufacturing technique of this one, the question of how this affects value came to mind. I have also never really thought about value on a lot of my canes as they aren’t for sale. I also haven’t talked about values in the books, because they are about education not money. Right now I’m thinking the value of this one is over $5000, maybe even near $10,000. Let’s see if I can convince you. To have that value it has to be near one of a kind, and have high demand. It also helps to have crossover demand ie cocktail shaker collectors and cane collectors. Two different groups of collectors for the same piece. It used to be gun collectors paid more for gun canes than cane collectors, today that is no longer the case. I have seen some expensive shakers, and they may well be willing to pay more than cane collectors. I just paid almost $5000., for the barometer cane at the bottom of this book. I bought it from a barometer collector, who said in essence; at this price you can have it. It’s not worth this price to me, I’ll let it go. He didn't know what it was worth, as he had never seen another one sell. I didn't know what it was worth as I had never seen one sell. It was worth what he was willing to sell it for and what I was willing to pay. It became worth what I paid. The barometer cane has never been in the hands of a cane collector, the next time it is sold; it will depend on what field thinks it’s the most valuable, as to where it will end up. Cross demand has an effect on the value of canes.
American canes usually bring more in America and I believe this one is American, as this has a massive 1.5” butternut shaft, with original finish and original bimetal American ferrule. Europe used up their walnut and butternut long before America. That’s why most European furniture is oak or imported woods. In America walnut and butternut was prolifically available during that period.
Condition is important; the entire piece is in near mint condition, with the only wear on the knob, where you would expect it. If there is something wrong with a cane, the price comes down, as they have something to knock.
Here is the most important reason this massive 3.5” diameter and 12” high handle would command that kind of money. It would have taken a genius to figure out how to get so much in such a small space, without breaking the cardinal rule of system sticks, nothing rattles or rolls. This cane has the best fit and finish of any I have ever seen. I’m having a problem deciding how it was manufactured. It’s too heavy to be stamped. Although the knob is cast, I don’t think the rest is. It could be turned on a lathe, but it doesn’t have any turn lines or marks. To get the most money, knowing the quality of it’s workmanship, helps. I’ve got some work to do on this one. Every thing has been thought thru; the entire shaft on this cane is a huge flask, large enough to make large cocktails.
The small dish at the bottom right is for lemon slices, and the one on the right is for ice. There are four cocktail glasses that take the exact quantity of the shaker, with coasters to keep them from making watermarks on the table. This is not an ordinary shaker whose top is simply laid loosely down for storage. This one was made to for the top of the shaker to fit inside the stacked glasses to keep them from moving. The dishes are made to go in the shaker top which is held in place by a fitted tray on the top of the shaker. The tray holds a large bar cloth, and keeps it from getting dirty inside the knob. The knob and shaft is hermetically sealed to keep the entire insides from getting dirty.
The thought that went into this cane, is worth the $ alone. I’ll sell you the thought and I’ll keep the cane. I don’t charge for any of this, because there is no proof, anyone is interested enough to pay for membership in an association with these goals. See cane forum.
Category: Gadget
Sub Category: City - Manufactured
Listed: 2006-07-25 01:06:49
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