Genuine Austrian figural corkscrews are relatively rare. Far more corkscrews were produced in the 2000s than were ever produced by the original workshops. While this site addresses corkscrews only, exactly the same methods are used to produce fakes of Hagenauer figurines.
Production of counterfeit items is not a new phenomenon; the first fake coins are thought to have been produced around 2500 years ago, shortly after the first coins were minted. When collectors start to pay far more for an item than it costs to produce a fake, counterfeits will come.
Fake 18th century corkscrews were probably first produced and sold to Henri Le Secq des Tournelles as he was stocking his iron museum in Rouen, France, in the late 1800s. Production of fake mechanical corkscrews began when the price was right, probably in the 1980s.
Austrian designers have not been immune from intellectual property theft. Among non-corkscrew items, the Hagenauers were ripped off in the 1930s. More recently, Walter Bosse would run across his hedgehog ashtrays at trade shows – made by other people.
Around 2000, corkscrew collectors “discovered” Austrian figurals and the prices increased dramatically. To quote one of the players supplying product to meet this new demand, “The corkscrew hype around 2000 encouraged manufacturers/producers and ‘home constructors’ to search for abilities to participate...”
Through eBay and other online auction sites, many Austrian figural corkscrews have been supplied by two dealers living in Austria. They both assured us that they only sell what they find in Austrian flea markets. Thomas Kamaryt finds almost all of the corkscrews and figures marked [wHw], [HAGENAUER] or [RENA]. Stephan Trunetz finds almost all of the figures marked [BOSSE], [BALLER], and [RR].
It is impossible to show all of the copies, worms added, etc., fakes. These are just a few examples; there are many more Austrian fake corkscrews. We hope this will give you enough information to question what you have or are offered for sale.
For a look at all the genuine corkscrews we have found documented, get a copy of Austrian Figural Corkscrew Design: Auböck · Bosse · Hagenauer · Rohac, (ISBN 978-0-9689294-1-4) published in 2015 and available for €70 from [email protected]. It contains images and extensive details - including the weights - of some 300 authentic corkscrews.
Production of counterfeit items is not a new phenomenon; the first fake coins are thought to have been produced around 2500 years ago, shortly after the first coins were minted. When collectors start to pay far more for an item than it costs to produce a fake, counterfeits will come.
Fake 18th century corkscrews were probably first produced and sold to Henri Le Secq des Tournelles as he was stocking his iron museum in Rouen, France, in the late 1800s. Production of fake mechanical corkscrews began when the price was right, probably in the 1980s.
Austrian designers have not been immune from intellectual property theft. Among non-corkscrew items, the Hagenauers were ripped off in the 1930s. More recently, Walter Bosse would run across his hedgehog ashtrays at trade shows – made by other people.
Around 2000, corkscrew collectors “discovered” Austrian figurals and the prices increased dramatically. To quote one of the players supplying product to meet this new demand, “The corkscrew hype around 2000 encouraged manufacturers/producers and ‘home constructors’ to search for abilities to participate...”
Through eBay and other online auction sites, many Austrian figural corkscrews have been supplied by two dealers living in Austria. They both assured us that they only sell what they find in Austrian flea markets. Thomas Kamaryt finds almost all of the corkscrews and figures marked [wHw], [HAGENAUER] or [RENA]. Stephan Trunetz finds almost all of the figures marked [BOSSE], [BALLER], and [RR].
It is impossible to show all of the copies, worms added, etc., fakes. These are just a few examples; there are many more Austrian fake corkscrews. We hope this will give you enough information to question what you have or are offered for sale.
For a look at all the genuine corkscrews we have found documented, get a copy of Austrian Figural Corkscrew Design: Auböck · Bosse · Hagenauer · Rohac, (ISBN 978-0-9689294-1-4) published in 2015 and available for €70 from [email protected]. It contains images and extensive details - including the weights - of some 300 authentic corkscrews.
