Alligator Corkscrews
I never really had a thing for alligators, but over the last few years I have picked up several different gator corkscrews. Antler, Ivory, Steel, and Celluloid, they are carved or created with great detail, and with some whimsy.
The first alligator is carved from an antler, and is signed on
the underneath with a 5 point star. Those carving these pieces often used
this method to differentiate their carvings from others crafted at the
time. 4 point stars, and 3 point stars have also been found, although
technically, a 3 point star would make it a Mercedes alligator.
The second alligator is also carved, this time from a piece of ivory. The alligator was then polychromed to give it that lovely green tint. Appropriate for gators, I would think. This corkscrew also features a 1897 Williamson patent bell, possibly helping to date the alligator's origins.
The third alligator is incredibly desirable (to both collectors and alligators alike) and is a celluloid piece marked "GERMANY" and "PAT APPL. FOR." He is in remarkable shape, and is quite the handy alligator waiter's screw.
There are other alligators out there, and I would love to snap a couple more of these up. So, if you have an alligator in need of a good home. They would be more than welcome in the corkscrew swamp!
back to the
corkscrews let
me hear the "wallygator" song again 