During the 19th and 20th centuries, canes reached their pinnacle of popularity, becoming a must have accessory for those wishing to publicly proclaim their social and economic status. This piece is a prime example of that, having been inscribed to a noted lawyer of Galena, Illinois, likely as a Christmas gift judging by the date. The top of the grip is inscribed in four lines "Token of Esteem J.M. Sheean Galena Ill Dec. 25-1893". Newspapers from the region in April 1889 note that J.M. Sheean along with his father and uncle formed a law partnership operating under the name "D. & T.J. & J.M. Sheean". In May of that same year, the same newspapers have reports of J.M. Sheean representing two separate defendants in murder trials, both of which were convicted, but received dramatically lighter sentences that the papers appeared to have expected. The knob grip of the cane is gilt with floral motifs, the inscription as noted, and a small R.F. Simmons & Co. maker's mark. The shaft is ebonized and tipped with a German silver and iron ferrule. It measures 35 7/8 inches overall.

Very fine, the bright gilt grip showing some scattered light handling evidence, with the same on the shaft which retains most of the ebonized finish.