A rare whalebone oil cask measure cane. Made of squared whalebone, much like a ruler, it is delineated with three inlaid, hand-fashioned brass diamonds, each set about nine inches apart. Additionally, there is a notch and pin at four and one-half inches in the top gradient. (Perhaps the final indication that a cask was full.) Although it was primarily used to measure the amount of whale oil in a cask, it made a handy walking stick when not being used as a measure. The overall length is 36" and the condition is very good with a slight natural bend. It is perhaps American, ca 1850, and it is a unique example that was probably hand-fashioned by a sailor in a ship's try-works. Estimate: $1500-$2500. This lot is subject to shipping restrictions outlined in Terms and Conditions.