One month to go (and a day)

Well, it is November 30th, and we are one month (and a day) away from the end of the corkscrew-collecting-fiscal-year. And, what a year it has been.

There are always corkscrews to be found, and while I made some terrific finds in the wild, there were some where, to borrow from Jose… the corkscrews found me.

And, as I am wont to do, I figured I would put together a little survey to see what each of you think should make the best six of the year this year.

Of course, with a month (and a day) to go until the end of the year, the list could change. And, of course, I hope something fabulous, or some fabulous somethings, find their way into the collection that will change the potential best six candidates, but let’s see what you all have to say.

Here are the candidates that are in the running:

Thanks for your playing along, and you just never know what will turn up next!

Hopefully I find a corkscrew, or a corkscrew finds me, that makes the choice that much more difficult.

Cork Screws, &c., &c.

From an 1876 issue of The Iron Age:

The middle paragraphs, read as follows:

The attention of our old Customers and the Trade generally is invited to our new Illustrated Catalogue just issues, comprising a full assortment of our well known staple goods : Butts (Drilled and Wire Jointed), Thumb Latches, Sash, Upright Screw and Side Pulleys, Wardrobe and Harness Hooks, Draw Pulls, Nut Crackers Cork Screws, &c., &c. Also several new and attractive styles of Fancy Hardware, at prices to suit the times.

Our new Patent Fancy Open Work Cap Butt, with Ornamented Knuckle, in Real and Imitation Bronze, and our Nickel Plated Cap Butts, with concealed screws, and the Landsomest in the market, and are attracting much attention. While making plain and japanned goods a specialty, we are prepared to meet the increasing demand for ornamented bronze and nickel plated House Trimmings. Goods packed in boxes or bundles, as may be preferred. For a catalogue and price list address.

Display Clough

Five years ago, on the collectorcorkscrews.com “buy now” site, there was a large Clough display corkscrew put up for sale. And, the price was fair, and I grabbed it.

After making the purchase, the seller offered to bring it to the ICCA AGM that year in Mainz, Germany.

And, as we were preparing for the buy and sell at the meeting, he pulled it out and handed it to me.

Carrying the oversized Clough across the room, another member of the club stopped me to explain that they needed the large Clough corkscrew in their collection.

I thought about it for a moment, and then struck a deal, thinking another one would come my way at some point.

Yesterday, one did.

Another large display Clough corkscrew was put up for sale on the collectorcorkscrews.com “buy now” site, and the price was fair.

And, (once again) I grabbed it.

A nice addition to the collection!

Pattern of Corkscrew

From an 1889 issue of The Iron Age:

This cork-puller, which is shown in the illustrations herewith given, is the invention of E. Walker, of the Erie Specialty Mfg. Company, Erie, Pa., by whom it is manufactured.  Fig. 1 represents it attached, and the corkscrew in process of insertion in the cork, while Fig. 2 shows the use of the lever by means of which the cork is extracted.  From these cuts it will be seen that the machine is fastented by screws to a table or shelf, the cork being inserted by means of the handle at the top, which revolves freely and is connected directly wit hthe corkscrews.  

The power is applied by a crank-and-lever movement and the point is made that all side pressure and binding of the parts is avoided, making the operation of extacting the cork easy and simple, so that a lady or a child can pull a hard cork with ease.  

Fig. 3 shows the company’s special make of a screw which is used in their machine, but, being of standard thread, will fit other machines.  Other points made in regard to thtis cork puller are:  That it cuts the wire when pulling the cork, is not liable to break the bottle, and from its pattern and finish is attractive in appearance.  The company also make a strong screw-clamp.to be used on marble and in other places where the machie is to be moved often.

Any person of energy…

In an 1870 issue of Mining and Scientific Press, the folloing advertisement is placed by Weister and Co.

Weister and Co.,

PATENT BROKER

No. 314 Bush Street, San Francisco.

PATENTS BOUGHT AND SOLD

For the benefit of those that live at a distance from the city, we give below a brief description of a few of the valuable patents which we have in our office.  It may be well to state that no Patent is received by us for negotiation until it is first endored by reliable experts, to whom each is subjected for acceptance or rejection.  We tread all patents alike, recommending only where true merit is found in the invention.

Amd, amongst the available valuable patents is a:

A NEW CORK EXTRACTOR

This simple device of practical utility.  It is adapted for Hotels, Saloons and family use.  The tightest cork can be drawn with a mere nominal outlay of strength, and without risk of bruising or hurting the hands.  They will be furnished, plain or silver-plated, at manufacturing cost, to parties purchasing Rights.  Any person of energy can soon realize the cost of a State Right by selling the Cork Extractors, as they sell readily and afford a large profit.  Send for circular.

So, what patent for a cork extractor would Weister and Co., be selling?

What do you think? No images are provided in the issue of Mining and Scientific Press…

well, that was exciting…

The collectorcorkscrews.com auction ended yesterday and Saturday, and a bunch of corkscrews will soon be in the postal service’s hands making their way around the world.

I did sell a few, and I did bid on a few, only to be thwarted by bidders that were more desirous than I for the corkscrews which I was also desirous.

And, that Stowell patent… I did try, and I did offer, and maybe eventually…

Today, I am off to a conference where I have been asked to present on “Shifting the Structural Paradigm.” And, then I will be serving on on a panel addressing “Aligning Intentions to Actions.”

I am thinking that on the panel, if I suggest you should bid higher if you want to actually win, there might be a way to tie it all together.

And, since I am here, if you haven’t seen it, you really need to see TC’s new means of displaying corkscrews.

It is simply awesome that he has figured out a way to frame his corkscrews, mount his corkscrews, and still is able to pull them out of the frame for use. This is simply awesome:

Simply awesome Tommy!

Today is the day!

The first round of the collectorcorkscrews.com auction will be ending today. Lots of juicy stuff will be changing hands as collectors from around the world peruse and place bids on over 1000 corkscrews!

Bid high! And, bid often!

https://auction.collectorcorkscrews.com

I definitely have my eyes (and bids) on a few!

Friends at the right place and right time…

We had some friends over for dinner last night.

And, those same friends happen to deal in antiques.

And, they happen to have a booth at the local antique mall on the mainland.

And, they happen to be at said mall today.

And, the owner of the antique mall happened to find an antique corkscrew at a house clean-out today.

And the owner-corkscrew-finder happened to show said corkscrew, to said friends, who promptly sent pictures to Sue on my behalf.

After a short phone call to the owner, a deal was done.

If the worm is all there, there will be another Woodman’s added to the tradebait pile, should anyone need one…

Whatchagot-to-trade.

Let the pavlovian-corkscrew-juices flow…

Over 1000 corkscrew lots up for bidding on the latest collectorcorkscrews.com auction, and bidding is open! There are some juicy lots in the latest auction, and a few (okay more than a few) that are on my wish list!

You can link the auction here:

There will be lots of corkscrews changing hands!

More news to follow!