David & James
Zalaznik
It all started on a romantic date to Paris, France in the fall of 1986.  Nancy Phillips and David Zalaznik roamed the
streets of Paris darting in and out of shops and restaurants.  At one point they entered a small store full of boxes with
kitchen gadgets.  It seemed more like a hardware store than a kitchen shop but they browsed anyway.  The store clerk
acted like he didn’t understand English then joked about the TV show “Dallas” and finally sold them two corkscrews.  
David was heard to say “Wouldn’t this be a neat thing to collect”.

Later that evening David proposed to Nancy on the open deck of the Eiffel Tower.  Ever so romantic but Nancy, the
shrewd accountant responded “I’ll have to think about that”.  So they returned to the USA with a collection of two
corkscrews and one unused diamond ring.

Nancy finally did accept David’s proposal and in August 1987 they were married.  They spent time visiting antique
malls and stores around the world until James was born in 1989.  After a couple years of child rearing the Zalazniks
head back out on the Corkscrew collecting circuit.  James becomes a huge help as he darts ahead and finds hidden
treasures with his sharp eyes and tiny hands.  He soon follows the compulsive nature of this family by starting his own
collections.  

As the collection grew the corkscrews began to liter the house.  Everywhere you looked corkscrews were bunched on
furniture.  A method of display was needed.  Large art frames with a Luan board backer and Satin covering were
used.  Gold metal wire pulled through tiny holes drilled through the material and wood backer close to the corkscrews
body provide support and are invisible to the eye.  You may have seen some of these boards in the displaying
corkscrews section, but here is a picture of a whole wall.  Wooden shadow boxes were employed for some rare
corkscrews and Syroco items.
setstats
As James grew older he became accomplished on the computer and started trading on Ebay.  He has now taken over
the 700+ collection of corkscrews and knows more than any 15 year old should about corkscrew collecting.  While the
Zalazniks still frequent estate sales, antique malls, and flea markets their best treasures seem to come via parcel post.  
Not a week goes by that some great deal doesn’t arrive at the door.

A special thanks to the corkscrew collecting community who have been gracious in answering James endless emails
and helping instruct him on the finer points of collecting.
I started collecting in the summer of 04, so I am pretty new to corkscrew collecting. You might ask, “But you have been
collecting since you were a kid.” but there is a difference between finding corkscrews and actually buying them and
knowing what they are.  I’m no expert, but I know when I see a rare corkscrew.  I started collecting corkscrews because
I have always loved buying things on Ebay. I was so bored of summer break that I decided to look up corkscrews on
Ebay and then my interest grew from that.

I am looking for Syroco corkscrews, rare corkscrews, boxed corkscrews, and interesting wine tools/wine related items.  
Also we have two painted barbums, two aluminum barbums, and an original box, but we have yet to find the brass
barbum. I have had some great buys, but I think my best buy was a Syroco monk clock that I bought for $125.  You can
see it in the picture of our Syroco collection, but it isn’t missing the clock, it is just being fixed.
We also have over 20 corkers and around 30 barrel taps. 10 of those corkers are very nice and one of the taps is
very interesting. It has a lock built in so you can’t steal wine. I’m always looking for rare corkscrews, so if you have
any that you want to sell then just email me. Or if you have any questions or just like to chat then feel free to email
me.
James Zalaznik's
Best Six for 2005

  • A Wolverson Tangent Lever
  • A Gemelli Barmaid
  • A Walker Silver capped Stag Corkscrew
  • A Bone Handled Direct Pull
  • A Fine Peg & Worm with original case
  • A beautiful perfume corkscrew