Canes

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American “walking canes” :

In North America, a walking cane is a walking stick with a curved top much like a shepherd’s staff, but shorter. Thus, although they are called “canes,” they are usually made of material heavier than cane, such as wood or metal.

In the United States, presidents have often carried canes and received them as gifts. The Smithsonian has a cane given to George Washington by Benjamin Franklin. It features a gold handle in the shape of a Phrygian cap. In modern times, walking sticks are usually only seen with formal attire. Collectors of canes look for the old, the new, the unique and the novel. Retractable canes that reveal such properties as hidden compartments, pool sticks, or blades are popular among collectors. Handles have been made from many substances, both natural and manmade. Carved and decorated canes have turned the functional into the fantastic.

One Response to “Canes”

  1. Interesting collection

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