James Heeley A1 Double-Lever Steel Advertising Corkscrew, England, c.1888–1900

An English A1 mechanical double-lever advertising corkscrew by James Heeley & Sons, based on Patent No. 6006, registered in 1888. Turning the upper handle drives the wire helix into the cork and raises the two articulated levers; pressing the levers downward provides the mechanical force required for extraction. The design represents an important stage in the development of the later wing-type corkscrew.

This example was produced as an advertising corkscrew. One side of the handle refers to James Lunderman & Co. Limited, 5 Exchange Street, Manchester, while the opposite side advertises “BIG BEN SCOTCH”. The levers are marked “6006” and “A1 PATENT” on both sides. These two-sided commercial markings give the corkscrew additional relevance to collectors of advertising corkscrews, breweriana and patented mechanical bar tools.

The early corkscrew is complete, with its wire helix, cylindrical bottle collar and articulated lever assembly present. The bronze-painted finish is extensively worn, with oxidation and surface marking consistent with age and use. The inscriptions remain legible. 

SKU: TG 1.82

Circa: 1888–1900
Provenance: Thomas Guenther Collection, Netherlands
Measurements: 16.7 × 7.4 × 3.5 cm
Weight: 263 g