REFERENCES We will list references such as books, places of interest and links. If you have any suggestions or you would like to link to us, please contact us. BOOKS STARTING OUT These books are ideal when starting out, offering advice on collecting and price guides on many corkscrews. The Ultimate Corkscrew Guide by Don Bull is the perfect book for new collectors. Don has been a voracious collector of every type of corkscrew, and his book is representative of his passion. It covers the common and not so common corkscrews from around the world, and it includes references to patents and markings. Of most importance to new collectors is the price guide, which does not always reflect the current pricing, but you will never go far wrong. It is often the most quoted book in eBay descriptions, so it's a handy reference to have by your side. Buy Now THE ESSENTIALS These books are the essential reference books for collectors who want more detailed information on the history of corkscrews including patents, manufacturers and model types. Corkscrews for Collectors by Bernard M Watney and Homer D Babbidge is the grandfather of all corkscrew books and is recognized as the book, from which it all started. It is written in a great style and covers the history and progress of corkscrew development. There are both color and B/W pictures of some very rare corkscrews, many of which have disappeared into private collections. Just read the Appendix, subtitled "The ritual of opening and decanting vintage port with the aid of a corkscrew", it's marvellous stuff. Buy Now Mechanical Corkscrews by Ferd Peters is a fabulous book for collectors, who want to delve into the history of mechanical corkscrews. The book covers mechanical corkscrews from around the world - anything that employs a mechanical method to ease the extraction of the cork. It provides an invaluable reference, once you move beyond the basic varieties, and you need to know more before making that final bid. Ferd presents the information well and it is an entertaining read with great photos. Buy Now Corkscrews by Fred O'Leary focuses on the evolution of corkscrew design and their U.S. patents dating from 1851 to 1994. It includes over 500 photos, with more than 450 in color, as well as the original patent illustrations. It is an enjoyable read.Buy Now British Corkscrew Patents by Fletcher Wallis is the definitive book for British patents. His book recounts the details from the first patent in 17xx to 1900. With British corkscrews having such a prominent role in corkscrew history, this is a must-have for information on important pieces. Buy Now Les Fabriques Français de Tire-Bouchon 1820 - 1970 by Gérard Bidault is an essential book for collectors wanting detailed information on French manufacturers and their markings, especially as several manufacturers offered similar designs. Although his book is only available in French, it is a marvellous book detailing and a must-have for information on French corkscrews. Don't let the French-only put you off - you can pick up the essentials very easily. Buy Now THE COLLECTIBLES These books are mainly out of print and therefore collectible in their own right. All books offer something different, whether it is Manfred Heckmann's fabulous drawings or a unique corkscrew. Tire-Bouchons Français Brevets 1828-1974 by Guy Olive lists the patent illustrations for nearly 300 French patents covering the period 1828-1974. This is a great reference to match up with Gérard Bidault's book. Unfortunately it is very hard to find. NICE TO HAVE These books offer something unique and are a "nice-to-have" in your corkscrew library. They may be in a foreign language or have a singular focus. PLACES OF INTEREST The Corkscrew Inn in Vancouver, Canada is a must-visit destination for corkscrew addicts. To find out more, click here LINKS CORKSCREWS The Virtual Corkscrew Museum is Don Bull's site. Don is a voracious collector and his website has a mountain of information. He has published several books on corkscrews including the highly successful The Ultimate Corkscrew Guide. Click Here Corkscrewnet is Joe Paradi's site and includes information on the various collector associations and ScrewBase, the classification system for corkscrew collectors. Joe is a long-time collector and the author of French Corkscrew Patents. Click Here CorkscrewsOnline has many wonderful corkscrews for sale. The site is run by Peter Borrett, a prolific corkscrew seller on eBay, who has a great sense of humor and offers good information and tips on corkscrew collecting. Click Here VintageCorkscrews is run by Josef l'Africain, who has a nose for bargains and an obsession with Syroco. Click Here Collection privée Tire-bouchons is a wonderful French site by Jean-Pierre Mascaron. It is full of good information and Jean-Pierre also offers a email newsletter with news and events. It is worth a visit even if you don't understand French. Click Here WINE-RELATED For information on all things wine such as wine books, newsletters, manufacturers, designers and resellers of wine cellars, wine storage systems, etc., please click here TOP