5 years ago, I won at auction a fixed bell corkscrew on the collectorcorkscrews.com auction. And, it remained the collection for some time, but at some point it made its way elsewhere.
Petey has had a similar corkscrew for sale on eBay for a while, and his is stamped multiple times, J.H. BUETER… I gather this is not the maker, but rather the previous owner of said corkscrew, as the example that I did have, was unmarked.
And, recently I did acquire another example of this same corkscrew. And, it too is unmarked.
Over the past few years, I have published a best six wishlist. And, while there is no way to really anticipate what will come into the collection over the next year, you can always hope to add some fantastic corkscrews to the collection.
Here was my wishlist for 2020:
Frary Sullivan Something from the back of O’Leary Frary with can opener Jenner patent (I do have one, but it is in horrible shape) Philos Blake patent Zeilin patent: pictured on page 63 of O’Leary and marked, “ONE TEASPOONFULL PARRISHS HYPOPHOSPHITES, J.H. ZEILIN & CO. PHILA, PA”
Of course, as you all know, two Blakes found their way into the collection, and there was indeed a new find from the back of O’Leary with the Matthews patent of 1893.
So, we can cross the Blake off the wishlist, but I will still keep the “something from the back of O’Leary,” on the list, as it is so fun to unearth a previously unknown patented corkscrew.
So… Given that I missed out (twice) on a Shelley patent this year, I think that definitely should make the wishlist for 2021…
Frary Sullivan
Something from the back of O’Leary
Frary with can opener
Jenner patent (I do have one, but it is in horrible shape…still)
1879 Shelley patent multi-tool often marked “LADIES FRIEND.”
Zeilin patent: pictured on page 63 of O’Leary and marked, “ONE TEASPOONFULL PARRISHS HYPOPHOSPHITES, J.H. ZEILIN & CO. PHILA, PA”
Of course, there are many many American corkscrews and cork pullers that I would love to add to the collection, and you never know what might turn up next!
Yesterday morning, over coffee, I was perusing eBay, and a 1906 Noyes patent came up with a 5 $ opening bid or best offer.
Not that I need another Noyes corkscrew, but when one comes up with a different advertisement, I do take notice.
So, I offered, and got a prompt response. Yes, they would accept, but did I want any of their other openers–apparently yet to have been listed.
Nothing really jumped out at me, so he accepted the offer, and the Noyes will soon be arriving to join its kin.
This one carries advertising that reads:
“DRINK OLCO WHISKEY”
–O.B. COOK @ CO–
O.B. Cook was a distillery out of Detroit, and made multiple brands; Export Brand Whiskey, Knickerbocker Whiskey, Olco Whiskey, Vallonia Whiskey, and Yankee Rye.
A neat addition to the Noyes advertising corkscrew collection.
What other are out there?
BROTHERHOOD WINES CO. 328-334 SPRING ST. N.Y. Blank / No Advertising “DRINK OLCO WHISKEY” –O.B. COOK & CO.— GREEN RIVER, THE WHISKEY WITHOUT A HEADACHE LADD & CO, LIQUOR DEALERS OLD JERSEY WHISKEY, WILLIAM FRIES
Still looking for:
OLYMPIA YES! IT’S THE WATER WM. MENSTELL, 465 LENOX AVE. N.Y.
Any other advertising Noyes-es in your collection?
On Saturday and Sunday, the 983 corkscrew auction lots came to an end with many corkscrews changing hands, with said corkscrews soon to be sent off to collectors across the world.
There were a few bidding wars, a few that snuck through, and a few that garnered attention after the auction was over.
I managed to win a couple (I guess technically 14) and I am quite pleased.
The first, is an interesting multi-tool that I have been hunting for a while. I actually already own this piece, but, it was missing the fold out blade, and I have after a complete one for some time–more on this piece soon!
And, I picked up another Sterling spoon with folding corkscrew.
And, after the dust had settled, I agreed to a fair price on a box of a dozen Greeley cork pullers. I don’t really need a box of Greeley cork pullers, but it will make for a nice display amongst the other cork pullers in the collection.
As mentioned he other day, I picked up a few corkscrews on my adventure down, and back up, the coast.
Two of the corkscrews acquired were wooden sheath Clough’s.
What is cool about them, is both carry different advertising for Clough, but they are also different sizes.
The smaller one reads:
CLOUGH Corkscrew Company ALTON, N. H. U. S. A.
SOLID STEEL ADVERTISING CORKSCREWS PRINTED TO ORDER BY THE 1000 CLOUGH’S PATENTS 337,309 & 441,137
The larger one reads:
Rockwell-Clough Co. ALTON, N.H. U.S.A.
THE CLOUGH CORKSCREW WAS THE FIRST WIRE CORKSCREW AND THE ORIGIN OF ALL THE PATENT MEDICINE CORKSCREWS NOW BY THE MILLION ALL OVER THE WORLD
And, it is clear that the smaller one is made for a smaller Clough wire corkscrew, as the thicker version wouldn’t fit. A pretty cool little pair of Cloughs.
On Sep. 02, 1879, Benjamin N. Shelley of Anderson, Indiana was awarded patent number 219,313 for his Improved Combination Implement for Domestic and Other Uses.
When the Shelley turns up, it is usually found with a PATD APLD FOR marking (with the two D’s in superscript) as well as the mark “LADIES FRIEND.”
In Shelly’s patent drawing, he explains:
My invention consists of a combined implement for domestic and other purposes, which presents in a single device and compact form the functions of hammer, screw-driver, cork-screw, can-opener, ice-pick, glass cutter and breaker, stove-lifter, tack-drawer, saw-set, knife-sharpener, wrench, steak-tenderer, and putty-knife.
That is a lot of uses.
And, a lot of hyphens…
That said, when the “LADIES FRIEND” turns up, they almost always have damage to the corkscrew. Odd turns, broken tips; it makes you wonder what material Shelley used for the corkscrew, or perhaps people in 1878 opted to use the corkscrew as the stove-lifter or steak-tenderer…
Still, it is fabulous combination multi-tool with corkscrew that I would love to add to the collection…
If you have a “LADIES FRIEND” laying around, feel free to drop me a line at Josef@vintagecorkscrews,com
Of course, feel free to email regarding any antique corkscrews with which you wish to part.
