Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, February 28, 1994 TAG: 9402260074
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ADRIENNE PETTY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
For 15 years, her husband, George, has collected hundreds of hand-made American canes that date from around 1860 to 1914.
"It's like asking me which one of my children I like the best," she said.
She settled on one made by a Georgia carver for a man in Indiana who manufactured flour mill equipment.
The cane has detailed renderings of the Indiana man's office, including a potted plant as well as vignettes about him.
"I feel like I know these people," she said.
Aside from their deep appreciation for the stories canes tell, George, a Michigan lawyer, and Kay Meyer are nationally recognized experts, and are credited with being among the first to recognize that American folk art canes are works of art in their own right.
On Saturday at 2 p.m., the Meyers will present a slide-illustrated talk at the Blue Ridge Institute of Ferrum College. The presentation is titled "Hand-Carved American Canes: Personal Sculptures that Poke into History." "Folk art canes are not only of historical interest but very personal objects," George Meyer said.
The Meyers will also sign copies of their recent award-winning book, "American Folk Art Canes - Personal Sculpture."
More and more Americana collectors are combing antique stores, art auctions, closets and attics for canes, in part, because of the book.
Meyer bought his first cane at a flea market in the mid-1970s for $150.
Today, that same cane could go for more than $1,000.
The Meyers are visiting Ferrum, in part, to see the exhibit of Virginia-made canes.
They want to find out whether canes carved in Virginia are really that different from canes carved in Michigan.
Kay White Meyer is also hoping to see some of her relatives. Her maternal grandmother, Kate Vaughan, is from Floyd, and her grandfather, O.T. Wright, is from Rustville.
by CNB