Frame with Slidable Tool Bit

On January 9, 1947, Richard Itaru Nakamura filed a patent application for his Frame with Slidable Tool Bit.  After a lengthy wait, his patent was finally approved on June 20, 1950.

Several years ago, I remember John Morris presenting a show and tell at one of the ICCA meetings, and sharing the story about this multi-tool with a corkscrew.   I have been on a hunt for this ever since.

This morning, over a cup of coffee, I happened to find a random eBay lot that, amongst several other corkscrews, had the Nakamura patent.

When I first looked at the picture, I thought.  “What is that odd opener, I know I have seen it somewhere.”

After a bit of searching, and knowing that Tommy had found one a while back, I went back through his blog of the time, and found the photo.

Definitely looks like the same Frame with Slidable Tool Bit to me.

A really neat, and hard to find, American patent, that will soon be headed to the island–along with all the other corkscrews in the lot.

Best 6 candidate?  Indeed!

 

Halfway through 2018…

Well, it is mid-June, and the tourist season is kicking off in Maine.  The island’s population is slowing growing, but by the beginning of July it will be booming.  It is great to have old friends returning, and it seems like each day, there are more summer folk, and day trippers, arriving on the ferry.

Of course, it is around this time of year that plans for the ICCA and CCCC AGM’s get finalized.  This year, we are hosting both clubs, and we are excited to share Maine with all the attendees, but moreover, to host those that are attending on the island we call home.

 

And, given that we are halfway through 2018, I was thinking about the best 6 corkscrews thus far for 2018.  While corkscrew news has been a little slow as of the last couple of weeks, it has been a pretty good year so far in acquiring those twisted treasures we covet.

Some of the corkscrews uncovered this year have already been moved on to other collectors, but here is what my best 6 would be, should we have to make a decision at this very moment:

Van Zandt, Sterling Napier Hollweg, Silver Syroco Knight, Rees Patent, Brown Patent, Monfort Patent…

I did pick up a Jenner patent as mentioned in a past blog, but given it is missing a portion, it is more of a place holder waiting for a complete example.

Of course, we still have half a year to go, and you never know what might turn up next.

The hunt will continue, and we look forward to seeing all of you in Maine.

A Combination Cork Screw, Bottle Opener, and Mechanical Pencil

From the September 11, 1943 issue of, The Billboard”

3-IN-1 EVER-READY MECH. PENCILS

A Combination Cork Screw, Bottle Opener and Mechanical Pencil—Attractively Mounted on Handsome Easel-Back Counter Display Card—12 Pencils to the Card.

With a shortage of Cork Screws and Bottle Openers, you’ll find this 3-in-1 Pencil an especially fast seller. Attractive in color effect, well made, with repelling and expelling lead pencil action. Big retail value at $1.00. Card mounting boosts sales action Everybody buys!

WHILE THEY LAST
$5.40 PER DOZ. $63.00 PER GROSS

Enclose 25% deposit—balance O. O. D., F. O. B. Chicago

 

Of course, we knew the Ever-Ready 3-in-1, as the 1938 Ruby patent…

another lot

The other day, a small lot of corkscrews was listed on eBay with a new (and improved) option that eBay has apparently implemented.  Instead of a Buy it Now or Best Offer, there is now an option of bidding or making an offer.

When the lot came up, I saw the opening bid, and offered for a little more than half on this particular lot.  And, the seller responded a few hours later, rejecting said offer.  Figuring, I needed a Walker Peg and Worm–one of the corkscrews in the lot–I upped my offer to his opening bid.  Doing so, didn’t win the lot.  It merely stayed there still up for bid.

This morning, the seller countered my offer, but the price was still fair, and a deal was agreed upon.

There were no details given about the lot; whether the roundlet is sterling, the Williamson bottle roundlet is Sterling or has advertising, if the Clough has advertising, or if the Converse has advertising on it’s sheath, but it was the peg and worm that I really wanted.

Of course, what I really need is a spare peg for a Walker Peg and Worm, as I have an interesting advertising version of the Walker lacking it’s peg.

Not a super rare addition to the collection, and it is the change in eBay’s approach that more interesting here.  Will more sellers start to take offers on what would be auctions?