The Virtual Corkscrew Museum's Weekly Newspaper

Limoges

Limoges, France - Several Limoges boxes have been crafted incorporating a corkscrew design. Limoges porcelain boxes are produced in France. They are a hard paste porcelain made from Kaolin clay which is a white clay. Although Porcelain had been produced in China for centuries, it was not until the early 17th Century that Kaolin was found in Germany and European Porcelain production was begun. In the late 18th Century Kaolin in St. Yrieix 18 miles Southwest of Limoges, France.

Shorty after the discovery of Kaolin at St. Yrieix, the first porcelain Limoges box factory was established. Within a short period of time a number of competing companies were in operation.

It is important to note that "Limoges box" is not a brand name or the name of a single factory. There are many studios in Limoges using the Limoges mark. Currently there are about 35 producers employing anywhere from six to four hundred workers. The boxes are hand painted resulting in slight differences in each genuine Limoges box.

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Argentina's Corkscrew FDC

Buenos Aires, Argentina - Jean Grignon reports a new First Day Cover was issued in Argentina of September 16, 2006. Although there are no corkscrews on the stamps, the First Day Cover cancellation features a Lund Lever Corkscrew.

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Travels with Godefroy Perot

Dinant, Belgium - Reader Godefroy Perot reports "Recently I went to France in Lyon. In their small streets called 'Traboules' I found this nice restaurant. You have to know that such small restaurant in Lyon are called 'Bouchons" So the owner called easily his restaurant 'Le Tire-Bouchons' After the 'Tire Bouchon' from Riquewihr (France). The restaurant address is: Restaurant Le Tire Bouchon 16 r Boeuf 69005 LYON ."

Godefroy is also proud to report that he lives in Dinant, Belgium, the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone!

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