Musical Corkscrews & Bottle Openers

Music - Lights - Action ... New: musical corkscrew!

Shaun from Kent asks ...

"Anyone who can build a lasting interest in anything to do with corkscrews is to be congratulated. I enclose a potentially interesting addition to your corkscrew collection. As chairman of the 'Screw Loose Society' I would like to ask your advice on the history and value of the enclosed bottle opener. We spent a full two hours discussing whether this particular bottle opener was part of the family 'corkscrews-live-forever'. We saw a similar opener in Kew Gardens, brought back by an intrepid explorer, but are not sure if this model fits the genus family."

Paul Wright replies:

"Many thanks for you enclosure Shaun and your continuing interest in our website corkscrews4collectors.com. We read your letter with interest and were amused by the novelty bottle top opener enclosed therein. It is unfortunate that someone had stood on it as we received it in two parts. I must point out that this is actually a departure from our area of expertise as we specialise in antique corkscrews for wine bottles rather than modern bottle openers for beers.

However I'm sure you will be interested to learn that this is an early 21st century musical bottle opener and that in addition to this variety there were a number of musical corkscrews also manufactured under the same method. (These are less common and possibly of greater interest). The musical corkscrew and bottle opener, with inbuilt flashing lights, was originally advertised thus:

"Music - Lights - Action - New: musical corkscrew.
An accessory that makes an excellent gift for the hostess. Plays:

'We wish you a Merry Christmas' and flashes when used. 18 cm ( 7in. ) in height.
Requires 2 buttton batteries disposable and included.
There is also a bottle opener with same music. Plastic. Price $ 7.99 "

The principle of this bottle opening devise is based on the activation of an internal circuit between the batteries and an inbuilt chip attached to a small speaker. When the metal cap of the bottle is inserted into the bottle opener it completes the circuit thereby starting the music and flashing lights.

Musical Bottle Openers

There are a number of musical bottle openers available on the market today mostly as promotional gifts for football clubs. I have featured some of them in the photograph above and these include the 'Manchester United Musical Bottle Opener' and the 'Celtic Musical Bottle Opener' ... Hear "A grand old team..." as you open another bottle! Most of these sell for around £6.99 to give you an idea of value. The US Army musical bottle opener featured to the left may well interest you as it is advertised:

"Plays an American classic, "The Army Song!" Made from durable plastic. No buttons to push, the sound is automatic when the metal on the opener touches the bottle cap. Batteries included. Replaceable 1.5V batteries. Perfect for the person who has everything. Price: $8.99"

I regret that we have no interest in purchasing your bottle opener but had it been a musical corkscrew in mint condition we would perhaps have offered in the region of £2.50 - a little more than the value of your last submission. However please don't be discouraged and keep looking. Many of our readers have made really great finds out there and I'm sure you will too one day. It may just be that you're looking in the wrong place - to my knowledge none of the truly great corkscrew discoveries have been on the side of a motorway."

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'Ladies Legs' Corkscrew

A Celluloid Corkscrew from the 'Gay Nineties'

John from Cheshire asks ....

"At a recent boot sale I came across this antique corkscrew and bought it for a few pounds. Subsequently I have been told that it may in fact be quite valuable. Could you tell me anything about it and give me an idea of the true value?"

Paul Wright replies:

"What a great find John! The antique corkscrew you acquired for a few pounds at a boot sale may be worth substantially more to an antique corkscrew collector.

This novelty corkscrew is in fact German. It is made from celluloid which is a type of synthetic plastic originally invented in about 1856. During the 19th Century it became an inexpensive substitute for ivory and many every day objects were made from it like combs, brushes, billiard balls, dentures and handles for kitchen utensils such as the corkscrew.

The 'Gay Nineties' legs corkscrew was patented in Germany by Steinfeld & Reimer in 1894 and it has become highly prized among corkscrew collectors. The colour of the stockings vary from pink and white to blue and white to green and white. The most valuable ladies legs corkscrews are probably the 'bare flesh' tone variety. Any markings or advertising on the corkscrew itself will also add to the corkscrew value. So prices vary according to a number of factors but you can safely say that your antique corkscrew will be worth anything from £150 - £250 meaning it really was a great find. Well done."

How much is your corkscrew worth?
Free valuation of your antique corkscrew.
Find out the type, make and origin of any antique corkscrew.

Cash paid for old corkscrews!

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Single Lever Corkscrew

'LE PRESTO' by Perille of Paris.

Andrew from Essex asks ....

"I wonder if you can throw some light on this corkscrew which has been in the family for some years. My mother thinks that her father brought it back from the continent after the war and it has been in the kitchen drawer ever since."

Paul Wright replies:

"You are absolutely correct! The corkscrew is actually from France and it was manufactured by the Perille firm. This particular model was known as the "Le Presto" corkscrew and it was designed by Victor Rousseau in 1905. It is nickel plated with a distinctive single lever mechanism. If you look carefully there should be some identifying marks on the strut below the lever saying "Le Presto Paris JHP Depose".

This collectible corkscrew was actually produced right up until 1953 so it is possible that your grandfather purchased the corkscrew brand new during his visit to France all those years ago. It's probably worth in the region of £125 - £225 and we would be interested in purchasing it should you decide to sell."

How much is your corkscrew worth?

Free valuation of your antique corkscrew.

Find out the type, make and origin of any antique corkscrew.

Cash paid for old corkscrews!

Email us for a FREE corkscrew valuation