I started collecting umbrellas about 12 years ago. Hubby and I took a trip out east, to Maine. While there, we visited the L.L. Bean store and I bought one with the little ducky for a handle. Actually bought two of them, one for a souvenir for our oldest granddaughter. These are actually put to good use. A while later, I found several at a sale and they had bakelite handles. I decided to put them into a stand by the door.
The next one I found had a clear plastic handle, and the rest is history.
A few years back my hubby came home with a very unusual find. It was a cane with some type of bone and he still had the tag from the estate sale. It was “shark’s vertebrae.” He asked what I thought it might be worth. And my rather sassy response was “what do you think, we can just go to an antiques book, look inside and find a price for a cane made of shark’s vertebrae?” He chuckled and got out a few books and ‘voila’, there it was, exactly as stated! It was valued at about $120, which was about $100 more than he paid for it. We re-tagged it and put it in our case at the antique mall. It sold in just 5 days. After that, I did more searching for them and while I have never found another one quite like that, have been able to locate a few unique ones.
My latest was this carved wooden cane, featuring the head of a dog and with glass eyes. More than I usually spend, but it was so charming that I had to buy it.
I really like the handle on this umbrella, nicely carved with the talons of a bird, holding a ball. If you look closely at the carving, you’ll see a number ‘7.’ Not sure what that signifies, perhaps just good luck to the user.
And as my luck would have it, another estate sale netted me this lovely antique cane, quite fancy with gold plated detailing. You know it is an old one because it reads “A.R. 1894.”
Another one, with gold and mother of pearl, reads “A Merry Christmas.”
This one with the ‘bone’ is nicely shaped too.
My grandkids call this the ’snake’ and it sure does look like that with its curvy style and silver detailing.
I could have told Maddie that canes were originally a symbol of status and that walking sticks or canes have been part of the human lifestyle since we stood upright. Or that these began being popular in the late 19th century as an important piece of fashion. But that might have overwhelmed her. For now, she just likes looking them over and carefully handling them. And that’s alright with me.
Serious collectors know where to look; antique stores and auctions, even the internet. They display them proudly as do I and are always on the look-out for other treasures.
November 1st, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Hello,
Just thought I would pass on that we have approximately 100 collectable canes in our upcoming auction.
This link will allow you to search our online catalog.
http://www.rockislandauction.com/search.aspx?aid=45
Just type canes in the search box, or check the option box for non firearms lots only. If interested you can leave sealed bids on our website.
Any questions call or send an email to: info@rockislandauction.com
Thanks,
Rock Island Auction
1-800-238-8022
March 10th, 2009 at 6:32 PM
Hi.
I was wondering if you sell any of your vintage umbrellas. I just started a collection and am interested in purchasing umbrellas with bakelite, lucite or pretty plastic handles.
Thank you.
March 16th, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Hi Marian, at this point I am all about collecting them, and finding it difficult to get them at a reasonable cost. If you keep watching Marketplace at CQ, you may find them there, or perhaps send me an email address and I’ll keep you informed if I do wish to sell some. Wishing you happy hunting and thanks for reading my blogs. Val
June 7th, 2009 at 3:28 AM
Hello, I found a rather fun umbrella at a garage sale and am wondering if you could help me figgure out what it is worth I can email you a picture, but I have never seen one quite like it. My mom says it is a bake lite handle and a plaid cloth, The cool thing is, it looks like fake carved jade, and even the tips where it attatches to the cloth have funny green tips. If you have time to respond that would be great. I just opened a booth at a local antique mall, but am not so up to date on some items.
Thank you so much for your time. If you you have time.
June 8th, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Hi Stephanie, thanks for reading my blog! I wish you the best in your new endeavor. And always remember, you can never know everything – just keep learning. One of the best ways is to continue to get your education through attending auctions, estate sales, flea markets and local antique malls. Even if you don’t purchase a lot, you’ll find out what the dealers put value on. Umbrellas are quite collectible and bakelite is also. Without seeing it, I have a difficult time ‘appraising it’, even if I were a licensed appraisor. They probably run from the 20s to 30s, some a bit higher. Wishing you the best, Val
June 16th, 2009 at 10:56 PM
i have some real old umbralas and was wondering how do i get imformation on them and was maybe thinking of selling them if your interested i will sent you pictures of them thank you jim
June 18th, 2009 at 8:32 AM
Hell JIM, Thanks for reading my blog. As far as I know there is no reference guide on umbrellas, but perhaps on canes/walking sticks. They vary greatly when we shop at the stores/flea markets, etc. I may be intersted and would appreciate your sending a description to me (send to noegrets@asapnet.net.) Val
August 24th, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Hello, I have recently purchased 4 antique umbrellas at an estate sale. They are made of black silk and all have interesting wood patterns for their posts and equally exotic handles. The silk on 2 of them have minor tears. Another is jammed and I haven’t opened it yet. The last one seems to be quite ripped up and I haven’t even tried to open it up.
I am interested in assessing their value and am looking for buyers.
Thanks for your help. (send to marthajl37@gmail.com)
August 25th, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Hello Martha, I’d love to see photos! Had you thought about listing them on CQ’s marketplace? If not, let me know – I may have interest. Val