Yesterday's arrival was a real beauty.  A 1888 14K Gold Fairchild's Patent.  It is in pristine condition to say the least.  No scratches.  No dents.  No chips.  No plate loss (to the corkscrew).  And clear markings.  "14 K"  and on the cylinder "Pat. Aug.21, 88".  A real keeper!

 

Yes.  Me and Robert are still working on my icing.  And I LOVE icing!  As for any gossip rings or trading to solidify trade theories, I know nothing.

After quite the lull in our little corkscrew Ebay market, there have been a couple odd sales.  A Double Helix Williamson going for $190+?!  I thinkn I'm going to have to list a few of these SOON! 

And did you see the Sterling Nifty type by Tiffany & Co.?  $115 for a Nifty!  Yes, I know...."But it's Sterling!" and "It's TIFFANY!"  But it's STILL a NIFTY!  I'm sure the buyer is Very happy, as I don't ever recall seeing such a piece online in my 5 years.  It is these rare oddities that really drive us to keep searching, as there are surely new discoveries to find!  One man's Nifty is another man's Golden Knight!

And excuse me if I don't know, but a German Trumpf corkscrew hitting $2275?  It looks like a 1950s corkscrew, but obviously very RARE!



Seriously, Got to get some sleep!

How appropriate!

So, it's been a week since my last post.  I know....not so fun reading....  Well, it's SLOW! 

The highlight of the weekend was watching the Golden Knight listing come to a close Sunday night.  This could very well have been the LOWEST SALE of a Golden Knight, for a full 7 day auction, in years!  Well, he did have his legs broken at one time and a ding on his helmet Lucky for the seller, he had a reserve price set.  Maybe it will get re-listed soon....  Still looking for my $20 Golden Knight....

Here is the latest arrival to the Island!  A decorative silver roundlet.  I'm happy to have gotten this one as they are really becoming harder to find.  Who knows, this one just might make the Best 6!



Oh how I wish I was living on the East Coast!  The July Brimfield Show is this week.  There will surely be corkscrews to be had.  Here's wishing good luck to Josef and Barry!

I was up at the crack of dawn today.  Super anxious to sweep the show a 2nd time.  And there was a LG Syroco Bulldog in a Waiter's just sitting on a table as "fair game".  I made sure to arrive about a half hour early to position myself in line, for FIRST DIBS of course.  Promptly at 8:30 am the flood gates were opened and I power walked my way past the crowd.  About 2 minutes later I found myself hovering above my prize!  Strangely enough, a deal was not made until 8:45 when the dealer finally showed up to his booth!  Goodness!  At least I got my day off to a good start.  Score!

I spent the next 4 hours combing the show and coming up with a few more goodies.  A Syroco Laughing Man Opener, a JH Opener / Corkscrew stag piece, an Anri Stopper, and a nice little bar (sometimes found with the Syroco Bartender Opener - but not a Syroco piece). 



On the way home I stopped off in Olympia, WA. for a spell.  I found an Art Deco Penguin w/ Black Bakelite Sheath.  SCORE!



Not a bad weekend, if I say so myself.  Oh, in case you were wondering, there were 1400 booths at this show! 

I planned to attend the Palmer Wirfs Antique Show at the Portland, OR. Expo this weekend, but this morning I decided to drive down for the "early admission" in hopes of treasures to be had. 

I got off to a late start (as usual).  As luck would have it, I was able to stop off in Kalama, WA.  Never been there, but was able to find a Brass Coffee Grinder for under $20.  AND it was in the 20% off booth!  Can you say SCORE?!

At the show there were several other corkscrews found.  I picked up a pair of Ladies Legs, a clough all ways, an Anri stopper, and a Schlitz opener.  I'm going back to the show in the morning for "seconds"!  Hopefully in time for the Syroco Bulldog / Waiter combo! 

Stay tuned for more from Portland's own Brimfield West!....kinda

It's finally here!  A great book on Figural Corkscrews!  Well done Don!

If you don't have it yet, CLICK HERE for a preview and see how to order!  A must have for the serious collector!

Today I got to take a tour of The Bainbridge Island Vineyards & Winery.  It was fun to take a guided tour with farmer / owner  Gerard Bentryn throughout the property.  It's only 40 acres, but a 100% independent operation.  Talk about going ABOVE and BEYOND, they do not use ANY PESTICIIDES and never have (not even Organic Certified Ones).  Now that's what I call ALL NATURAL.

After the tour Jo Ann Bentryn hosted our tour group to a private and FREE tasting!  Of course featuring their current available wines and a nice spread of veggies, cheese, and dips.  All "local to the Island" of course.

Check out their website www.bainbridgevineyards.com  for available vintages!



AND they even have a small antique shop.  I was lucky enough to find a couple keepers. 



One other antique item did catch my eye.  It was this Sample of a cork tree.  It had about 6 corks punched out of the original bark sample.  You could clearly see that it took the cork tree 9 years to mature to yield this sample.  Too bad it was NOT for sale.  Would have made a nice corkscrew g/w item!

No corkscrews today, just fireworks! 

Bainbridge Island has always hosted an fun filled 4th of July, including a Street Dance, Pancake Breakfast, Old Car Show, new this year a Green Car Show, Parade, and a variety of other festivities.  But it's been 35 years since they put on a Fireworks Show!  Well this year they hosted one over Eagle Harbor.  Lucky for us, it was right in our "view"!  It was like having our own show!

Hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday!

Just because the mailman visits every day does not me he's always dropping off corkscrews.  This kinda sucks.  BUT these two are welcomed additions.  One of those brass "athlete" pocket knives, marked ARBALETE.  It has a basket ball player on one side and gymnast on the other.  Also a nice bone handle with 2 sterling caps.  Starting to get into the whole Bone / Stag with Sterling thing again....  Got any?  Hit me up at syrocokid@gmail.com!



Also been the under bidder a LOT lately.  Maybe I'm not being too aggressive with my snipes, but consistently coming in 2nd is really bugging me! ERRRRR!