I've been trying to expand my horizons amongst collectibles lately.  Corkscrewing is great, but there are lots of other collectibles that I'm passing along the way that could yield great funds to further my private collection.  There are many corkscrew "go-with's", like the syroco brushes, bottle openers, wine tools, Anri pieces, ect.....

About a month ago I purchased this mechanical bottle stopper.  It was mailed to me, but I never  received it.  I was beginning to think "JOSEF!  He must have "gotten" to my mailman!"  Apparently, that was not the case.  It was discovered this morning hidden amongst a closet full of boxes.

For a while now, ever since the announcement of an Austrian (not Australian) corkscrew book to be published in the near future, collectors have been after these little brass figurals.
Josef has been scouring the world for them and done pretty well for himself, but a few have eluded him!  Unless he knows my postmaster, these are on the way to the Island!

As for the Will and Finck, it's still available for any collector to snap up for whopping $5000!!!

Check out this direct pull......  It's marked "Will and Finck" on the shaft and then "Will and Finck SF CALF" on the blade.   I've never seen one of these before.  I don't think the guy will accept my offer, but you never know!

Finally!!!!!  The trade is set.  A Syroco David Copperfield will be heading to the Pacific Northwest!  I've had this guy before, but this particular one should find a permanent home in the collection. 

A word to the wise.....When trading with a fellow collector....be sure you know what approach you are taking.  Are you trading for a "keeper" piece OR are you trading to get additional trade bait.  Also, have a clear idea of what pieces you would like to receive.  The more pieces you are willing to accept, the easier it will be for both parties in the trade!

The unpacking continues!  Boxes are everywhere, but the corkscrews are all present and accounted for.  Where am I to put them all?!?

It seems the the mail is arriving ok as these are the newest additions to the collection.  Though they are not of Austrian decent, they do satisfy my fix for corkscrews.  At least for today.....

The legs are still up for grabs, but negotiations are ongoing as we speak.....

Finally here!  It was a long 2 1/2 days in the car, but frequent "rest stops" at antique malls along the way helped out a lot!  I believe the final count was 15 different shops.  Now, they were clustered a bit and some took less than 4 min.  "CLEAR!"  Here are the treasures gathered along the way....
1 Direct Pull w/Brush
1 Brass Monkey
1 Flash
2 Anri Stoppers (Drunk Man - VERY COOL and a Head that is a Stopper / Spout / Musical Piece - the music plays when he is tilted into the pour position!
1 Beanie Baby - Princess Diana 1st edition P.V.C. Pellets!

Here are a couple pics from the Ferry ride to the Island and a couple of my new "view".  I could get used to this......

I'm finally (almost) ready to leave.  The car is just about full and the corkscrews are safe.  It's going to be a long drive at 30 something hours, but rest stops will be frequent at Gas Stations and Antique Malls along the way.  I do look forward to new and untouched hunting grounds.  Wish me luck and look out Seattle!  Here I come!

Well, today marks the 4th day since I have stopped my mail form arriving at my address in Chicago, but forwarded to my new address on the island.  I received 2 spoons today.  I do appreciate the mail coming through, but hope it stops soon!

The legs previously mentioned are drawing a lot of attention.  Thanks Don for featuring them in the Weekly Screw!  Good thing, bad thing.  I am well entertained by the offers, but will be holding on to them, at least, until after my move.  Don't worry, they are in a safe place.  But keep the offers rolling in!  Did I mention that they are the MINI version?

Goodness the last few weeks have been pretty busy.....  I'm moving to Seattle next week!  Seeing friends, Packing, and shipping will be the focus for the next few days as I start the drive on monday. 

The corkscrews are already packed up and will be ESCORTED across the country to their new home on Bainbridge Island.  Yes, I said ISLAND!  One can never be too careful when it comes to security of his corkscrew collection.

I've changed my address, but there are still a few packages trickling in....  The latest being 3 pieces of John Hasselbring, one being a corkscrew of course!

I've always been fond of any Double Helix type corkscrew.  It's an amazing concept, and just darn cool to look at.  I've been after Josef's stash of Clough's for some time now.   It's always figured into a trade as "icing"(a little something extra to convince me, that I'm getting a good deal).  Since I won the Brimfield Contest, I decided to take another Double Helix as payment.  He gladly shipped it along with the one I bought from his listing.  So, add two more to the collection!  The right one is marked "Williamsons" on the top of the wire.

There was a bonus in the package.....a little ad from a newspaper.  It's a man on top of a Double Helix Corkscrew, just like the one I have framed!  Very Cool! 

Most collectors won't even consider buying another Grape Vine Handled corkscrew again, even if you paid them!  Well, I have to admit that I actually paid for one yesterday.  There were two pieces in the listing, so technically, I paid $11 for one and $11 for the other.  I may have overpaid for one, but I think it was a pretty good deal overall.