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lacked at the time and we grew very rapidly. In 1974 I sold my controlling

interest in the company to a group of investors that were more ambitious than I

was at the time as I was trying to slow down the growth of the company due to

always outrunning our ability to finance the rapid growth. With the loss of a

visionary, the new owners were unable to hire anyone to perform that function

successfully and ultimately filed for Chapter 11 sometime around 1980. The

company was purchased out of Chapter 11 by Himark of New York City.

Himark was a Housewares company that dealt in imported as well as domestic

goods. Himark went bankrupt two years ago and the company ceases to exist

much to my sadness.

With regards to the corkscrew, I can only remember that it was produced as late

as 1951 or 1952. After that the line changed considerably due to the advent of

Japanese imports. I never saw any paper work that would have indicated that

the patent was completed. My poor memory is due to that fact that at the time I

was only thirteen years only and not the least bit interested in such things.

I am retired as the former President of Reed & Barton Giftsources which was a

division of Reed & Barton Silversmiths. My current endeavors are with my son

Stan Jr. who has an International Sales & Marketing Company. We employ many

salesmen and represent approximately thirty different giftware manufacturers

and sell to the Gift & Decorative Accessory Industry. Hope that this is of some

help to you!

”