Showing & Telling

While both AGMs will be written up in The Bottle Scrue Times and the Quarterly Worme respectively, and surely there will be a myriad of pictures from both, the AGMs both had fabulous show and tell sessions.

This is one of my favorite parts of our get togethers.  Fascinating new discoveries are shared and passed around.

Yes, there are still new discoveries!!!

As for me, I got to show and talk about the 1867 Van Zandt patent…

as well as the new Syroco Corkscrews book.

Only a few copies of the book were available at the meeting, but should you want a copy you can email Ion Chirescu at his book email: chirescu.book@gmail.com .

SyrocoWood Corkscrews and Decorative Accessories, is 330 pages of all things Syroco, and has fabulous imagery of the corkscrews and openers that we covet.

With that said, I would like to steal a moment here, to congratulate Tommy Campnell for receiving the Bernard Watney Award for his work on this book.

Congrats Tommy!!!

Oh, there were more corkscrews…

Following the official Annual General Meeting of the CCCC, all attendees were invited to visit our home on Vinalhaven, and many decided to make the trek; a foggy rollie ferry ride followed by, wine, food, wine, beer, wine, food, and of course corkscrews!

A good time was had by all!

And, those that were extending their stay an extra couple of days on Vinalhaven; the Vrijlands, Tommy Campnell, & Zalazniks had a bit of a lobster feed that evening, as 15 lobsters were delivered.  

In between, there was a bit more wine, the lobsters ended up in a couple of pots until they were sufficiently steamed, but not before the great lobster / corkscrew duel took place…

We raised a glass or two.  And, of course, there were corkscrews.  

At some point, James asked if he could get into the junk boxes, and I let him have at it.  This was followed by Tommy going through the junk boxes, which was followed by Leon going through the junk boxes.

Deals were made, and we went back to corkscrewing around, with more wine.

The following day, the Zalazniks departed, as did TC, and a few of us hopped a lobster boat to get a tour around the island.

This morning it was farewells to Leon, Saskia, Nic, and Alice. 

It was wonderful to share our home with such fantastic friends these past two weeks, and we hope to see each of you very soon. 

 

More corkscrew stories…

There will definitely be more corkscrew stories to tell, and tales of our adventure together in Portland Maine at the CCCC AGM.  And, while much of these stories will be shared in the upcoming Quarterly Worme, here are a few photos from the meeting.

Lots of corkscrews changed hands.  I sold a fair amount, and during a boat ride around Portland, I struck a deal with Tipped Worme Johnny, for his much treasured, and not tipped, Moxie corkscrew.

Definitely destined for the best 6 of the year, I have coveted this piece for years.  And, there is a Maine connection with Moxie, as the inventor of Moxie was from Maine, and up until recently there was a Moxie Museum in Lisbon Falls, Maine.  I will try to connect with a couple of the Moxie historians to see if we can find more answers on this rare corkscrew.

There were a few more corkscrews added to the collection at the meeting as well; a larger version of the Greeley, a Sterling McLean patent marked with the patent date, and a few others.

The adventures continue today, as lots of CCCCers are coming to the island for a visit, and lunch, wine, and beer will be enjoyed by all.

Stay tuned!

Voigt Detroit and the CCCC AGM

After a bit of cleaning up from having 52 corkscrew folk at hour house on Vinalhaven, we have been readying ourselves for the next AGM, which begins tomorrow!

So, we are about to hop on the ferry to the mainland, where we will put together name tag and welcome packages, and then being the trip down to Portland for the Canadian Corkscrew Collectors Club Annual General Meeting.

I have picked up a few more corkscrews to bring to the auction and buy and sell, and it will be fabulous to see everyone.  Photos and stories to follow.

That said, I happened on eBay the other day, and what should appear but another advertising Davis patent.  This time for Voigt Brewing, but this example only has the advertisement of VOIGT DETROIT with a V.

Another nice Detroit to add to the collection!

For all of you traveling to the CCCC AGM, safe travels and see you soon!

 

More Corkscrewing Around at the AGM

As mentioned, I will recap the AGM in the coming days, but here are a few more photos of the last couple of days at the ICCA AGM: Schooner Rides, Frederik “sabraging” a bottle on our new deck, the Gala Dinner, and a visit to the to Vinohaven!

 

Corkscrewing around at the ICCA AGM

There are many stories to tell from the AGM thus far, and I will recap in a few days, but here are some photos for those that couldn’t make the meeting.  And, we aren’t done yet!

Stories to follow!!!  Stay tuned!

ICCA AGM!

The International Correspondence of Corkscrew Addicts’

Annual General Meeting starts tomorrow!

 

See you all very soon,

and I will report back here with corkscrew news from the meetings!!!

A few days at Brimfield…

As it usually happens, the day before Brimfield starts, we drive down, get settled in some Airbnb that we have rented, it is often an early evening, as the how begins at daybreak the following day.

With the meetings soon to be upon us, construction projects, and a few other circumstances that needed to be addressed, in the weeks proceeding Brimfield, we opted to cancel our reservations, and we were going to skip Brimfield.

Still, as we got closer to the date, and our plans began to open up a little, I came up with a new plan.  Since we would be on the mainland on the Monday before, I would get up in the wee hours of the morning on Tuesday, and drive down to Brimfield and get there for the opening.

We both that this was a fairly silly idea, but it is Brimfield after all.

So, with the alarm going off at 1:00 in the morning, it was coffee, shower, coffee, go…  And, away I went.  Driving the next four hours, and pulling into Brimfield with time to spare.  I found another cup of coffee, and in short order parked, and was headed out on the hunt.

Given it was early, and dark, and September, the dealers were slow to open.  Still, in that early first hour, I did pick up a couple of corkscrews.  One a simple t-pull with acorn handle, and a few minutes later an interesting corkscrew with a coin in the handle, marked Aubock (for 8 dollars).

There were a few other corkscrews seen over the course of the morning, but these were a bit overpriced for what they were; Perille single lever, Mumford Patent (this was available in May as well, and is still with the same dealer for the same price) a fair amount of Williamsons and Cloughs, etc.

As the day wore on, and Dealer’s Choice was to open in about an hour, I ran into someone who had in his possession a collection of corkscrews.  After a bit of a give and take, and given the price was a smoking deal, we made a smoking deal.

A little money changed hands, and these were now in my backpack:  closed barrel perpetual with embossed barrel, a much less expensive Mumford patent, small French T marked Guinot, early Henshall with bone handle, and the two aforementioned corkscrews the acorn handle and the Aubock.

Not a bad morning!  And, the drive certainly seemed worth it.

Quite pleased with myself, I headed over to Dealer’s Choice…

At Dealer’s Choice there were few corkscrews to be had, not over priced, not under priced, just few corkscrews to be had.  Still, there would be another field opening shortly, and you never know what might turn up.

After paying my entry fee, and waiting for the appropriate time, I went through the gates, and at one of my first stops was discussing cork extractors with a dealer who historically has corkscrews in his wares.  This time around he had a Tormey cork extractor; one that I have been after, and while his price was high, he is also someone that has yet another cork extractor that I definitely want.  I thought, why not pay a little extra, and grease the wheels bit for a future purchase.

As I was counting out money, another collector, that I didn’t know, happened on the same booth, and asked if the dealer had any Aubock pieces.

He didn’t.

I asked if me minded if I showed him the one I had just picked up.

He didn’t.

The other collector was thrilled, and mentioned how much one had sold on eBay.  I had told him I had seen the listing, and gave him a price.  He grabbed his wallet and started counting out the cash.  Coincidentally, what he was willing to pay for the Aubock piece, offset the extra cost of the Tormey.

After placing the Tormey in the backpack, I was once again on my way.  There were a few more corkscrews about, most notably a celluloid mermaid, which was a very fair price.

And, having been up since 1 in the morning, and having walked about 14 miles in the heat and humidity, I decided to call it a day.

Fortunately, I did have a hotel room lined up, and headed for a much deserved glass (or two) of wine and an early dinner.

The next morning, I headed back to the show.  A field would be opening at 6 am, and then another at 9.  I would skip the afternoon field, as I wanted to get back home to Vinalhaven.

The morning field didn’t offer much, but I just took my time and hunted around.  I did pick up an interesting pocketknife that looks like a Frary design but the blades were stuck closed and a Converse for a combined price of 10 dollars.

When the 9 am field open, the first booth I walked into had a fabulous champagne knife. The dealer deals in old tools, and I was quite pleased walking away with for 15 dollars.

I meandered through the rest of the field and did pick up some Anri stoppers for a fellow collector that wouldn’t make it to the show until Thursday.  And, did eye a couple of Sterling and stag corkscrews which were a bit too much money.

Did I mention there were antiques other than corkscrews at Brimfield?

With a 4 hour drive ahead of me, I kept my eye on the time, and started the walk back to the car at 10:00.

Filling up with gas, I started the trek back to Rockland, and then hopped the boat to Vinalhaven.

A good day and a half at Brimfield, with a few goodies coming home with me.

But, Josef, didn’t you mentioned that the dealer had a collection? 

Indeed I did.

These didn’t fit in the backpack, and were boxed up and put into the back of the xterra.

Okay… it was a stellar day and a half at Brimfield.

The Shrapnel Patent Corkscrew and Bottle.

From and 1841 issue of Iron, An Illustrated Weekly Journal for Iron and Steel Manufacturers, Metallurgists, Mine Proprietors, Engineers, Volume 34

Sir,—When we are about to enjoy the society of our best friends, and in evidence of our sincerity, have selected some of our “double diamond” port, we cannot endure the peril of disappointment by breaking the cork already sufficiently tender from age, by the use of the present corkscrews; and having no secured a substitute which will completely remove a cork, however decayed, we think we should be chargeable with selfishness if we did not introduced it for general adoption. This invention is admirably adapted for common bottles ; but exclusively so, for the Patent Shrapnel Bottle, which not only renders the bottle perfectly air tight, but so firmly grips the cork, that wire or string even for ales, porter, ginger beer, &c., are perfectly unnecessary ; and when it is considered that the wiring of the bottles used for those purposes, forms, the most material part of the manufacturer’s expense, the use of both articles becomes exceedingly advantageous, and particularly so, when the cost scarely exceeds that of of the common bottle.
In the above Engravings,
Fig. 1. Represents the corkscrew, with three spikes pressing perpendicularly into the cork, (the former acting on a centre attached to a plate) as the worm enters, until they are embedded in the cork ; the stop (see Fig. E.), then catches a rack, thereby causing the spikes to cease running on the centre, and the cork is immediately turned and extracted from the bottle.
Plate 2. Represents the patent bottle, G, having a female screw cast in to the neck, and is particularly adapted for holding effervescing liquors, champaign, wines, porter, bottled ales, &c., thereby rendering it perfectly air tight, and precluding the necessity of having wines as heretofore. The cork being driven in the usual way, naturally expands in the screw, and by means of the great power of the corkscrew, D, is unscrewed from the bottle in the form of fig. F ; the corkscrew is also adapted for any other bottles; however decayed or tight the cork, it has the power of extracting it with the greatest facility.

Yours’, &c

G.

Gilchrist’s Lightning Cork Puller

From the the September 19, 1899 issue of Iron age…

The Gilchrist Lightning Cork-Puller

The Gilchrist Mfg. Company, 20 and 22 Michigan avenue, Chicago, Ill., are manufacturing the cork-puller illustrated herewith. In use the neck of the bottle is pressed firmly into the mouth of the puller. When the handle shown is pulled down the teeth in the arm work in teeth in the upright rod, causing it to resolve and screw the corkscrew into the cork, the latter being then readily extracted. Returning the handle to its former position discharges the cork.

It will thus be perceived that one movement of the lever pulls and discharges a cork. If desired corks may be partially drawn and left in bottles. The manufactures claim that it as making a most convenient article for users and a very attractive sample-case for the trade.