216

Williamson Corkscrews

–

Figural Sheaths

From the late 1800s until the mid 20th

Century several Eastern American companies

were actively producing a variety of cast

products including jewelry boxes, clocks,

candelabras, statues, match holders and other

decorative items. Some of the more

recognized household words of the time were

Benedict Manufacturing, Brainard & Wilson, Jennings Brothers, Kronheimer &

Oldenbusch, and Weidlich Brothers. Three of these firms are known to have produced

corkscrew sheaths to fit the combination corkscrew - bottle openers from Williamson of

Newark, New Jersey.

Kronheimer & Oldenbusch

Ernest A. Oldenbusch was a prolific inventor. His first patent was granted August 2,

1887 (No. 367,544) for a

―

Spring or Snap Clasp for Pocket-Books

.‖

The patent was

assigned to the firm of Williams Schimper & Co. Hoboken, New Jersey. During the next

forty years, Oldenbusch was granted 40 more patents. His inventions included match

boxes, cigarette cases, picture frames, purse fasteners, a lady's belt, a box for postage

stamps, a toilet powder dispenser, and a perpetual calendar. His patents showed

various locations for him - Brooklyn, New York and Hoboken, Weekhawken, and Jersey

City, New Jersey.

Oldenbusch was associated with Schimper until 1900 when he formed a firm with

Kronheimer in New York. The Perpetual Calendar (shown above) was U. S. Patent No.

1,660,232 issued February 21, 1928. The calendar is marked on the reverse K & O Co.

with the patent date FEB 21, 28. The significance of this calendar will be seen later in

this article.