Stanhope Erotic Cane

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Masterpiece Cane Auction

By Kimball Sterling

May 24, 2025

Set Reminder 2025-05-24 11:00:00 2025-05-24 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Masterpiece Cane Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/kimball-sterling/masterpiece-cane-auction-19479
A European Masterpiece Cane Auction Kimball Sterling kimballsterling@earthlink.net

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• Lot Description
  Ca. 1890 Wild Vine handle naturally grown in a stylized stretching pistol shape with a intriguing, knobby surface on a plain ebonized hardwood shaft and a metal ferrule. So far, so good. What makes this cane so interesting is that it is fitted with an erotic Stanhope in a peephole buried in one of the multiple bulb eyes on the handle's surface. The tiny lens reveals a spicy scene featuring three full-figured naked Gibson Girls doing poses amid weird props. The three embody the ideal of a tall woman who was distinguished by her 'S' form, which she accomplished by wearing an Edwardian super-cincher corset. The corset pushed the torso forward and the hips out the rear, creating a sensuous silhouette with huge breasts and hips: the desired hourglass form. It was said that dubious press coverage at the time claimed that the English preferred Stanhopes with photos of calendars or banknotes, the Italians wanted religious imagery, and the Germans wanted more risqué fare. In fact, erotic Stanhopes were popular everywhere, typically built into objects expected to remain within the circle of male viewers. Since they were so tiny, nobody else would have noticed them. This unique and sought-after cane possesses a special allure by being associated with multiple collecting fields, which enhances its desirability. According to experts, it is widely believed that the cane has French origins and was likely custom-made for a wealthy individual during the Belle Époque period. His stylish and understated appearance enabled him to carry his cane with him wherever he went, and, when the moment was right, create a stir and become the center of attention. Today, hunting for erotic Stanhopes is addictive precisely because most of these lenses were designed to elude discovery. One final note: photographing Stanhopes is a challenging task. The tiny lens's 160 magnifying factor needs cutting-edge technology to achieve faultless results. Despite numerous attempts and a lot of effort, we were unable to capture the photographs satisfactorily. In truth, when viewed with the naked eye, the image appears fairly sharp, with minor flows to the higher margins. H. 10” x 1 ¼”, O.L. 37 ¼” $900-$1,200 Refer to Lot Nr. 11 in this catalog, on pages 24-25, for historical notes and further explanations about Stanhopes.
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