Antique corkscrews

[Margaret Pilgrim]

I've just returned from the Hillsborough Antique Show, where I saw a wonderful collection of 18th and 19th century corkscrews and wine paraphernalia. The thing that caught my eye was a bottomless leather "bottle cover" with two forged iron projections, one on either side at the bottom of said "bottle".  It was explained that you dropped this contraption over a bottle, put a foot on each of the iron steps and pulled out a recalcitrant cork!  Most inelegant, but probably highly effective.  With its mellow  aged leather, and burnished-with-use iron fittings, it would be a wonderful piece to put next to a service table in the dining room.  (It is still available, since at 跾., I need to think about this one a while!)

If you're into collecting corkscrews, you should add this specialist to your dealer list.  Both his stock and professional knowledge were extensive.

http://home.pacbell.net/dean_w