Image: Improved Patent Power Corkscrew No 204, Manufactured by Charles Hull, Birmingham c. 1865

The simplest out and well adapted for Ladies’ Use.

Directions for Use.

Place the Corkscrew on the Bottle in the usual way: after starting the Screw into the Cork, keep on turning till the Cork is drawn.


Text: Malcolm Dick

Images: Local Studies and History, Birmingham Central Library, UK

Summary

The corkscrew originated in the 17th century, but it was refined into a piece of elegant engineering in 19th century Birmingham. The images in the exhibition are taken from Charles Hull's Catalogue dating from about 1865. They show the variety and complexity of corkscrew design by the mid-19th century. Most of the designs based on patents by Samuel Henshall and Edward Thomason were already in production by the early 19th century. Other significant inventors included Thomas and William Lund who developed their patents in the mid-19th century. By the 19th century, Birmingham was the most important centre of corkscrew manufacture in the world.

Sections: [Click on the images on the right to access each section]

1. Introduction
2. Birmingham’s Importance in Corkscrew Manufacturing
3. Best Corks with Electro-Plated German Silver Mounts
4. Electro-Plated Lobster Crack and Scoops. Electro-Plated Grape Scissors
5. Electro-Plated Nutcrackers on Steel
6. Electro-Plated Nutcrackers and Nut Picks on Steel
7. Electro-Plated Nutcrackers on Steel
8. Best Steel Snuffers Electro-Plated on German Silver
9. Common Steel Snuffers Japan’d
10. Sugar Nippers and Coal Tongs
11. Champagne Corkscrews and Wire Breakers.
12. Pocket Carriage Keys and Best German Silver Pocket Corkscrews.
13. Corkscrews based Edward Thomason’s Patent of 1802.
14. Corkscrews based Edward Thomason’s Patent of 1802. .
15. Corkscrews and Champagne Wire Cutters.
16. Corkscrews based on the Edward Thomason’s design of the early 1800s.
17. Lund’s Patent Rack & Lever Corkscrews.
18. Cast Steel Worms, Cork Drawer and Meat Case Knife.
19. Corkscrews based on Samuel Henshall’s patent of 1795.
20. Examples of Corkscrews with fluted helixes to provide rigidity and strength.
21. Soda Water Wire Breakers and Corkscrews.
22. Best Polished Steel Corkscrews with Cork Brushes.
23. Corkscrews with Cork Brushes.
24. Corkscrews with Cork Brushes
25. Corkscrews with Lignum Vitae Handles.
26. Corkscrews with Lignum Vitae, Bone and Cocoa Handles.
27. Various Examples of Corkscrews.
28. Best Polished Folding Multi-tool Corkscrews.
29. Best Polished Steel Folding Corkscrews.
30. Best Polished Steel Folding Corkscrews.
31. Best Polished Steel Folding Corkscrews.
32. Middle Quality Steel Folding Corkscrews.
33. Picnic Corkscrew with Sheaths.
34. Folding and Pocket Corkscrews
35. Best Polished Steel Tweezers
36. Steel Rings for Keys, Scabbards and Bridle Bits.
37. Brass and White Metal Vest Rings.
38. Key Rings.
39. Best polished Steel Button Hooks and Glove Loop.
40. Best Polished Joint Boot Hooks.
41. Best Polished Steel Boot Hooks.
42. Stilettos and Boot Hooks.
43. Boot Hooks.
44. Best Polished Steel Champagne Nippers.
45. Best Polished Steel Nippers.
46. Best Polished Steel and Middle Quality Nippers.
47. Best Polished Steel Patent Nut Crackers.
48. Best Polished Steel Patent Nut Crackers.
49. Best Polished Steel and Middle and Common Quality Patent Nut Crackers.

Sources and Further Reading

Ellis, Phil, Miller’s Corkscrews & Wine Antiques: A Collector’s Guide (London, Mitchell Beazley, 2001)
Giulian, Bertrand, Corkscrews of the Eighteenth Century (USA, 1994).
Perry, Evan, Corkscrews and Bottle Openers (Princess Risborough, Shire Publications, 2000).
Wallis, Fletcher, British Corkscrew Patents from 1795 (Vernier Press, 1997).
Watney, Bernard M and Babbidge, Homer D, Corkscrews for Collectors (London and New York, Sotheby Parke Bernet, 1981).