A Visual History of Walking Sticks and Canes

This treatise presents its readers with a soup-to-nuts introduction to canes, covering everything from details of construction, materials, and patents to cultural conventions that governed their use. The hundreds of sumptuous full-color images do full justice to the items, and the text curates them well, examining them by genre and period. Moss’ lucid prose features evocative appreciations of both the canes’ aesthetics… Over the course of the book, his shrewd, wide-ranging historical analysis situates canes in their larger social context… Connoisseurs and casual readers with a liking for good-looking fashion accessories will find a great deal of interesting lore and imagery here. An engrossing and visually splendid exploration of the artistic and cultural meaning of canes. * Kirkus Reviews *
A connoisseur’s guide, A Visual History of Walking Sticks and Canes presents a stunning, near encyclopedic overview of its subject through the lens of the singular collection of Anthony and Deanna Moss…. Moss approaches his task with the passion of a collector and the dedication of an archaeologist and a historian focused on a single subject at global scale…. He argues persuasively for the walking stick as an art form closely allied with social performance, fashion, whimsy, pleasure, and power…. Recommended. Researchers and faculty; general readers. * Choice Reviews *
This beautiful book by Anthony Moss shows careful research and study; it rises far above other photographic books on antique walking sticks. -- Renzo Traballesi, psychiatrist in Siena, Italy and president of the Mondobastone Association, formed by many Italian antique cane collectors
It is wonderful to discover a new book on antique walking canes from an obsessive UK walking cane collector. This book is rich in images of selected and rarely seen objects, supported by excellent information and technical data. By integrating historical research with a passionate knowledge for this fascinating object, the author is contributing to open our eyes to a seemingly 'utilitarian' walking cane: by revealing a powerful, meaningful and symbolic artefact. The author demonstrates how these objects can tell stories about the times and the people while offering a glimpse to their past and their future. This is a 'must-read' to any person interested in navigating through the universe of walking canes across history. -- Eduard Tovar Estrada, Antique dealer, Antique Canes Amsterdam
This book is the fabulous testimony of passionate collectors who have patiently assembled one of the finest and most complete collection of antique canes. This book will soon be an essential reference in the world of cane collectors. -- Chloé Jantzen, Galerie Jantzen, Cannes Anciennes de Collection
I urge you to read this excellent book, full of information and inspiring visual content, a case study of where a true collector’s journey and passion can take you, a must have for those who enjoy the full artistic variety of the visual arts. -- Dominic Strickland, director of Michael German Antiques London, International antique walking cane specialists
Author, Anthony Moss takes us on a stunning visual journey and tells stories along the way (as a good collector should), to help further ground us in the knowledge that comes as second nature to him. And along the way, his excitement and passion for the topic come through, making it all the more fascinating for us. * Timelesstimely *
It was a real pleasure to read a scholarly examination of a very diverse collection that included almost every type of cane in the world. What stood out to me the most was how each cane had something very special about it. They all had a lot of character. I could see this at first glance of every cane. Anthony has a very trained eye that can spot a high quality cane. -- Larry Mattson, cane collector and member of the American Ceramic Circle
In his very entertaining tome, A Visual History of Walking Sticks and Canes, Anthony Moss...takes us on a fascinating historical journey of this one-time sartorial and purely functional implement which only a hundred years or so ago was a daily feature not to say, a must.... Moss’ knowledge is devastatingly wide – explosively so – and his passion unbridled. He is probably one of the most important cane collectors in the world and this book surely represents his life’s real work.... Mr Moss has done more than a good job. You can’t take a stick to him. * Savile Row *