St. Louis Coffin Co. Cane, ca. 1920
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GUEST:
I've brought you a walking stick, and it has been in our family since my great-uncle. We suspect he got it maybe from the governor, because I understand this was made when the governor was running for governor.
APPRAISER:
Now, do you know if the cane has any secrets in it?
GUEST:
It does.
APPRAISER:
Should we find some of them out?
GUEST:
Yes. (chuckling) Yes.
APPRAISER:
By unscrewing this, we reveal a small piece of stemware. And by unscrewing this section here, we reveal... a long glass bottle. And on it is a label that reads, in part, "This bottle contains a concentrated extract of liquid joy guaranteed to cure cold feet, bald head, that tired feeling, and failing nerves; prevents falling in love, political ambition, or other forms of insanity."
GUEST:
(laughs)
APPRAISER:
We think this was made about 1920. What's going on in America around 1920?
GUEST:
Need to hide your liquor.
APPRAISER:
You do need to hide your liquor.
GUEST:
(laughs)
APPRAISER:
We find all sorts of humor and funny references to alcohol and what it can do for you on this label, which, turns out that it's actually an advertisement for something called the St. Louis Coffin Company, owned by Frederick Gardner. He was a politician and also owned the St. Louis Coffin Company.
GUEST:
Oh, okay.
APPRAISER:
It's a lovely piece of Prohibition-era memorabilia, but, more than that, speaks to the time very well. And because the condition is so good, we'd estimate this cane to bring $400 to $600 in an auction.
GUEST:
Oh, goodness. And I know my uncle liked to have a drink in the evenings, and so maybe he did that wherever he was. (laughing)
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