In hunting for historical information on corkscrews, there can be a certain level of frustration,

and then there can be a fantastic feeling of finding that missing piece of documentation. And,

with the ongoing digitization of old documents, the search that lead to a dead-end 6 years ago, or

even 6 months ago, can net out an entirely different result today. And, while persistence can lead

to a bit of frustration, there are times that persistence pays off.

The following illustrations are the images that appear in several issues of

The Iron Age: A

Review of the Hardware, Iron and Metal Trades

from 1889

,

however what is also included along

with wood-cut/illustrations, are detailed descriptions of each corkscrew.

With this documentation we can sure, that not only are these corkscrews James D. Frary

corkscrews, but we have a date for their manufacture as well. It seems, we have

found

Frary, and

Kenneth Cope’s source for the images within his book.

On Page 451 of the March 1, 1889 issue.

James D. Frary, Meriden, Conn., is putting on the market a very interesting and complete

line of Lemon Squeezers, Corkscrews and other specialties. On page 453 of this issue is

given of the Seaside Lemon Press, a new article, to the convenience and efficiency of

which attention is called. Emphasis is laid upon the fact that in Nos. 162 and 182 the

parts of the press which come in contact with the lemon-juice are lined with pure

britannia metal. The catalogue exhibits an exceptionally complete line of Corkscrews,

many of which are of new design and are combined with other tools, such as Can

Openers, Picks. &c. Other specialties are also illustrated

On page 493 of the March 28, 1889 issue

The Sullivan Cork-Puller

The illustration here with given represents a new cork-puller

put on the market by James D. Frary, Meriden, Conn., and

embodying features for which he is obtaining patents. As will

be inferred from the illustration, the corkscrew is inserted in

the cork by means of the handle at the top of the puller, when,

by raising the lever or principal handle, which, by means of the

gears attached to it, is connected with the rack to which the

corkscrew is attached, the cork is easily extracted. It will be

seen that the cork-puller has a clamp attachment for fastening

it to the counter of shelf. The screw is described as made of the

best cast steel, hardened and tempered.

This puller is made in two styles, ornamented in Berlin bronze and nickel-plated. The simplicity

and strength of its construction, its ornamental appearance and the efficiency of its working are