28
In his discussion of prior Cork Extractor art, Converse says that they involved
“
more or less complication, consequent costliness of manufacture, and liability to
derangement or breakage...
”
So Mumford
‟
s own patent attorney was prepared to give him some rather stiff
competition. It is quite apparent by the large numbers that turn up today that the
Converse product realized a much greater market potential than Mumford
‟
s
more costly invention. The Mumford Cork Extractor is difficult to find in any of
the three styles shown.
The Converse Cork Extractor is often marked on the blade retainer
“
Patented
May 9th 99.
”
They were supplied with sheaths to protect the blades. These
sheaths were also ideal to market the product for advertising purposes.
