18k Gold Handled Gambling Cane for Nion Tucker Sr. (American, 1885-1950)

Item Details

An 18k gold handled gambling cane with maple wood shaft, personalized for Nion Tucker Sr. (American, 1885-1950). The handle is cast of 18k yellow gold with a swirl reeded ball handle and short collar. To the side of the handle is a small loop that, when pulled, releases a pencil tucked into the top of the cane (18k yellow gold handle to the pencil). The handle of the pencil is hallmarked ‘BRIGG’ for the London retailer, Thomas Brigg & Sons.

The collar is engraved Nion R. Tucker/ San Francisco.

Nion Tucker graduated from the University of California in 1909 and shortly thereafter went into the investment brokerage business. By 1920 he was directing manager of the brokerage firm of Bond, Goodwin & Tucker. He later went on to have a leading role in the formation of United Airlines through the merger of a group of smaller airlines, and also sat on the board of directors of the San Francisco Chronicle Publishing Company. In 1946 he retired to his ranch where he raised purebred Hereford cattle. He became involved in the organization of horse and livestock shows and was instrumental in making San Francisco’s Cow Palace a leading site for those events. Later he headed a group which lobbied for permission to hold professional and amateur sporting events at the Cow Palace.

Condition

- minor markings to the gold handle.
- slight chip to the veneer.

Dimensions

Pencil top gold weight: 3.79 dwt.
Weight of handle undetermined. 18k yellow gold.

Item #

19CIN023-076