A scarce relic cane from the Battle of Palo Alto. The silver knob handle is 2 1/4" high and 1 1/8" across the dome top. It is configured octagonally in the style commonly used in the 1840-1860 period. In old script it is inscribed on the side panels: "Taken from the Battle Ground "Palo Alto" by "George T. Robbins June 1848". In different, modern script it is it is inscribed: "John H. Talley, 1948" for a 100 year later owner. Also, the top is initialed "J.T." for Mr. Talley. The relic shaft is heavy, stained hardwood, perhaps ironwood and there are square silver eyelets. The piece ends with a 2 2/3" lined silver and iron ferrule. The overall length is 34 1/2" the condition of this fine all-original piece is very good with very minor dimple dents in the silver knob. (The Battle of Palo Alto took place near Brownsville, Texas on May 8, 1846, and it was the first major battle of the Mexican/American War. The American forces were commanded by General Zachary Taylor and resulted in a victory over Mexico's General Mariano Arista. A paper giving some background history along with a copy of a painting of the Battle, will accompany this lot.) This is the first relic cane that Tradewinds has had from the Mexican/American War and it is part of the John Bunker Collection. Mr. Bunker obtained it from the estate of John H. Talley, whose name is inscribed on the piece. It is a great, uncommon example. Estimate: $1200-$1800.