December 2021

Nineteenth Century Walking Sticks

Bone and Horn Walking Sticks, silver knobs and ferrules, longest 36”. 19th century, realized $1,125 in 2018 photo: Heritage Auctions, HA.com

By Melody Amsel-Arieli Nineteenth century walking sticks, also known as canes or handstaffs, apparently harken back to the humble shepherd staffs once used to herd sheep, traverse rough terrain, and fend off wild animals. Later ones, crafted to aid “persons…

Styling the 19th Century Gentleman

Title image: Carte-de-visite photograph of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) and Prince Albert, Prince Consort (1819-61) standing together, in outdoor clothes. The Queen wears a tartan dress, cape and bonnet and the Prince wears a morning suit, tartan waistcoat and top hat.

By Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher   In the 19th century, men, like women, literally wore their wealth on their sleeves. From the cut of the cloth to the numerous accessories that styled the “look,” a man’s fashion sense easily distinguished him…