I headed out to Puyallup for a small antique show today.  There were a several nice pieces: Ivory Carved Horse, 2 Lady Legs, a Stag w/Sterling but the price tags were well out of budget, or should I say REALITY!  None the less, I was able to pick up 2 Flash corkscrews.  At least one was not a duplicate :-)

A few days ago, I received a hot tip from a fellow collector (to remain nameless) that this piece was available for purchase.  I quickly called the seller, and sealed the deal.  To my surprise, it arrived on the Island today!  This Mother Of Pearl Corkscrew is considered "small".  It features a Sterling Cap which is stamped "  er in ".  But the best part is the scale like decor on both sides of the handle.  SO COOL!  Never seen this before.  Anyone else got one?  If not, YOU COULD.....  :-)

Being from Chicago, I've always been loyal to my town.  I'm a die hard Cubs fan and true blue Bears fan.  Naturally, I fancy some of the corkscrews that have Chicago advertising on them.  Over the years of collecting corkscrews, all 5 of them, I've always come up short when bidding on this piece.   Or maybe just too cheap to aggressively bid the $32 for a "sure win".  It's a simple pocket Clough corkscrew from the Chicago Columbian Exposition in 1893.  The other day I won one for a mere $20.50!  I was pretty excited, but today it arrived in MINT condition!  Much better than pictured and well marked.  Now if I can only find that Columbus Roundlet guy....  Anyone got one?  Email me at Syrocokid@gmail.com.  I'm SURE you will come out ahead in trade!

Today I decided to skip my irregularly scheduled afternoon nap, and go hunting.  I headed far north only to find that just 2 local shops were open on Tuesdays.  The 3 made a group decision to be closed every Tuesday.  Guess I missed that notice, flyer, email, text message, and phone call!  With slip pickin's already, I checked the ferry schedule as there was one more mall, that I could hit if I crossed the water.  Although I did not find my $5 Golden Knight, I did pick up one corkscrew.  It's an "Old Benson".  An obviously modern reproduction of the beloved "Old Snifter".  Untill tomorrow....CLEAR!

Today was spent scouring southern Washington for corkscrews.  I found a few new shops and ran through some I've previously discovered.  It was looking pretty ugly for a while, but I finally pulled the trigger on ONE FLASH.  Honestly, that's all I scored for today.  And I think it's a double too :-(

In mingling with some dealers I received a VERY EXCITING TIP.  A local dealer had purchased a corkscrew collection of about 300 pieces!  I quickly got the contact information and location of his shop!  Only 7 miles away?!  SWEET!  Well, the Ford was pushed to her limits, as I only had corkscrews on my mind.  Upon arrival, I was quickly escorted to the case of corkscrews.  4 chrome Negbaur Parrots, 1 Codger, and about 10 misc direct pulls.  That was all that was left from the collection, as it was purchased about a year earlier.  Apparently some collectors from California had heard about the collection and quickly picked over the lot.  Crap!

Today was a perfect day to go hunting (for corkscrews)!  I got off work a little early, and set the Nav for Tacoma.  My first stop was LOADED with goodies, but aggressively priced!  Tusk Henshall w/ Sterling cap for $695?!  Ivory Horse Hoof w/Sterling Inlay and Fancy Walker Shank $595?!  I don't think so!  Fun to look at, but hardly the bargains I was looking for.  About 30 miles later, I was able to score these two pieces.  First was a Syroco Stained Waiter Corkscrew, head only.  Then I found a strange little gaget.  It may not be a corkscrew, but "The Lost Cork Puller".  An ingenious invention at the time I'm sure! 

I'm pretty excited for tomorrow as I'll be hunting all day long!  I will be sure to stop by the shop where the McGill was discovered.  Hopefully the corkscrew gods will leave a Golden Knight in the 50% off case for me to find!
 

I came in 3rd place for the 1892 Columbian Expo Roundlet corkscrew w/ stanhope!  Guess I better go bigger next time as this one hit $231!

Today I decided to "make the rounds" through some local malls.  Typical salt and pepper shakers, vintage glassware, foreign coca-cola cans, but nothing of real interest.  The booths really look the same as they did when I first started hunting the area.  CLEAR!

BUT, at the last shop, which is about 250 square feet, there happen to be one lonesome roundlet.  It was a Williamson bottle type with an advertising badge for Anheuser Busch.  I quickly bartered a deal with the shop owner, and then he shared some "history" of the piece.  It just so happens that this particular corkscrew came from an estate in ST. Louis, MO.  And the original owner of the corkscrew happen to know the Busch family and was given this piece as a gift!  How cool is that?

 

When I first saw this little set, I pretty excited!  Martini shaker - cool.  4 shot cups - cool.  Case included - cool.  Nifty corkscrew / opener - kinda cool.  Golf themed - very cool!  Opening bid of $2499.99 - NOT COOL.  Unfortunately for that seller, he did not receive a single bid.  So this afternoon, the golf set was re-listed with a $1.00 opening bid and no reserve.  I quickly placed a bid to mark my turf, but I guess I'm not the only one who thought this set was cool.  Hopefully everyone else's sniper program fails!  Wish me luck!

I haven't had a day off for 12 days now!  So today was truly a day of rest.  Though I'm usually out hunting for corkscrews or glued to the computer scouring Ebay for misspelled listings, I found myself watching both the AFC and NFC Football Championship games.  Too bad the Chicago Bears were not playing,  oh well.  Between games I was able to indulge in my favorite ribs from Chicago!  Carsons Ribs.  Click here if you'd like to order them online.  Trust me, they're worth it!

Congrats to the Pitsburg Steelers and to the Arizona Cardinals!  They will be in the Superbowl!

It may not be a corkscrew, but it IS Syroco!  This Laughing Man, in the painted version obviously, is the handle of a dusting brush.  Improperly listed as a "Bottle Stopper".  There were a few bidders, but I was the lucky winner!  He's in good shape and should be easy to replace the bristles.  I've been looking for a replacement for the last 2 years as my original one was sold for an offer I couldn't refuse.  Now if I could only get my hands on a Painted Laughing Man corkscrew.....  Anyone got an extra?

There are thousands of patents and hundreds of styles of corkscrews.  Some work better than others and some just look cool.  For whatever reason they each appeal to someone and hopefully open a bottle of wine.  Well, this particular one was just listed on Ebay.  I can't imagine that it was originally created as pictured.  On the other hand, maybe Bull should issue an addendum to his book!
......

I must admit that the week previous was CRAZY busy for me, and since my return to the Island on Tuesday, I've been playing catch up with my pillow!  Still savoring the memories of eating Carson's Ribs, Lou Malnati's Pizza, Portillio's Italian Beef, Buffalo Joe's chicken Wings........

I was able to hit up a few of the local shops.  Some over priced Sterling pieces did turn up, but one was clearly "fixed" which would arouse suspicion of the others.


Only a small lot of keepers came home with me.  One that caught my eye was a common Multi-Tool Roundlet from Germany, but it was painted.  The design appears to be of original production.  Has anyone else seen or have some of these roundlets that are painted on the case?


One last item was picked up and it was not a corkscrew, but definitely a Syroco "Go-With".....kinda.....  I found a wood carved cane with an obvious figurine.  It was a Syroco Laughing Man!  Though not an exact replica, and not of Syroco composite, it is clearly reproduced after the Laughing Man design!  Pretty Cool huh?!

 

I've been in Chicago the past several days!  LOTS of  catching up to do and so little time!  I haven't even checked Ebay or email since Tuesday! 
One would think that the shops would be "ripe" with corkscrews, but I've only found a few hours to hunt.  Hopefully I can get out tomorrow for a little longer. 
Pics when I return on Tuesday!

Oh.....  Happy New Year!  My best wishes to everyone of good health and good hunting!