arrival and departure

Yesterday, the replacement for Phil-the-mail-carrier, dropped off the mail. And, among the requisite junk mail was a small package from the UK. I signed for the item, and after bidding adieu to the postal person, I quickly opened the package.

While the patina that is on my other McBride is quite lovely, the recent arrival is a remarkable example, and with just some minor wear to the finish on the worm itself, it is pretty much what it would have looked like when it was patented and produced in 1888.

Still, given that I already have this version, I would gladly swap one of my McBride’s for one with the date on the shaft. Anyone want to trade?

As previously mentioned, the lovely and I will be in Napa for the weekend–I will be departing this evening. I will have the new laptop with, but responses to emails will definitely be put on hold as we head back "home" for some time in the wine country.

Edward Zinn . . .

For corkscrew collectors there are two books by Fred O’Leary; the corkscrews pictured in the front of the book, and the corkscrews that aren’t pictured, but instead are represented by patent drawings in the back of his book. And, when a new discovery is made, collectors will reference, "the back of O’Leary…"

At the CCCC this year, during the show and tell portion of the program, Ian Hunter showed an interesting tool kit that was an undiscovered patent. And, this one, didn’t appear in O’Leary at all. It is the patent for Edward Zinn. Ed’s 1909 patent however, was not for a corkscrew, but for a tool-handle. And, Ian was lucky enough to find one in Quechee, Vermont–a fair distance from his home, given Ian lives in Australia.

Well, as luck would have it, Ian is no longer the only collector to have the American rarity. I had remembered Ian’s presentation when I ran across a similar piece. And, while I jumped on it before I could get confirmation, Ian has subsequently emailed to describe the very piece. So, below are pictures of both the Ed Zinn patented tool kit (with corkscrew) and an image of the patent drawing. A nice addition to the collection for sure!!!

Frary, Bakelite, Austrian Dog, and heading to Napa

I missed out on the Frary corkscrew with bottle opener that ended last night–technically, I didn’t miss, but my snipe was clearly too low.

The bakelite girl is going to be put up for trade or sale, if anyone would like to have a fantastic corkscrew

The Hagenauer dog with folding corkscrew still remains in the corkscrew case. I know RL is after it, but for some reason he has yet to finish working the deal.

And, tomorrow after teaching, I am heading to the airport and flying to the California. The lovely is already there, and we will be renting a small house on Silverado Trail in Napa. A corkscrew collecting friend, has set us up with a few private tastings, and I am sure it will be a fabulous time. We will also try and fit in some antiquing in the area. Historically, we have only found overpriced corkscrews there, but you never know…

back from Chicago

The lovely and I got in last night from Chicago–well, technically, due to delays, this morning. So, coffee is being consumed, and we are getting ready for the week ahead; a few classes to teach, corkscrews to buy, and the lovely will be heading to California on Wednesday. I will be joining her on Friday in Napa! We have no real plans as such, but will surely drink some wine, visit some old haunts, and perhaps visit Brother Timothy’s collection.

As far as corkscrew news… it would seem that Tommy has scored a Syroco Indian, Mark is making a mint on a beer stein acquired for the ripe price of 15 bucks, Robert and I are trying to work a deal for the Hagenauer corkscrew dog, and Peter is picking up pieces left and right. What CB is doing is totally a mystery. We tend to get an email from him, every once in a while, and then nothing–this would be a non-email stage from him.

There are a couple of corkscrews that should be showing up soon. The coolest, although it is a duplicate, is a mcbride patent. Anyone need an extra?

off to Chicago for a couple of days

the lovely and I are off to Chicago for a couple of days!

In the mean time, I have been working with a museum at Regis College in Weston, MA to put together an installation of corkscrews for March 21. A neat little organization, that generally focuses on postage stamps, they are bringing in wine, corkscrews, and corkscrews for a fund raiser for their education program.

Anyone have stamps with corkscrews on them that they would like to donate to the cause? Or, perhaps a corkscrew book that would be part of a raffle for the attendees? These would be tax write off for the person that donates.

The lovely and I are putting up a copy of Watney and Babbidge’s book for their raffle. And, perhaps a corkscrew of note…

Austrian Bull

the latest addition to the Austrian corkscrew collection is a neat little bull corkscrew.

Is he Bosse? Rohac? Baller? We shall soon find out!

arrivals

The for sale page will be updated soon…

until then, check out the pictures of the lastest arrivals! I am in process of investigating the silver mark on the cigar cutter… updates when I figure this one out. It is amazing!

a few dollars short

well, I missed out on the Frary metal handled corkscrew–I was the underbidder. And, I missed out on the lot which had the Walker button and Goodyear patent–I was the underbidder. And, I while I mentioned the other day that it was Peter who ended up with the double weir’s–Apparently, I was the underbidder (or under-offer-er as it were).

Maybe some other corkscrew will come my way. Speaking of, a corkscrew did end up going TC’s way. He scored a syroco painted clown for very little, and has tomorrow off to go antiquing. I am sure he will be basking in the glory of his new acquisition and hunting for vintage condom tins–his new obsession.

There is some other corkscrew news, there are three new members of the ICCA–Dick Clark, Guy Vankeerberghen, and Thomas Schlesser–welcome to the club gents!!!

a few discoveries from the weekend (and one or two that arrived in the mail)

treasures discovered in Vermont

While we passed on a few of the overpriced corkscrews while traipsing through Vermont yesterday, the lovely and I did pick up some fantastic items at the various shows, and antique shops along the way.

Pictures will be posted later, but there is a german figural dog pocket knife, a circa 1820’s wine carafe, a handsome apothecary/candy jar with the slightest shade of purple, a syroco police dog bottle opener, and one odd shaped bottle opener destined to the JFO meeting in April.

This morning is the Concord Armory Antiques Show, so perhaps there will be some corkscrews there–there usually is : )

Speaking of corkscrews, the aforementioned disappearing double weir’s corkscrew ended up in Peter’s hands after a late night meeting with the seller. While I would rather have it in my collection, at least it is staying in the family.

Pictures later, stay tuned.