Designer: Carl Auböck III (1924 – 1993)

Item: Fish Neptune Bottle Opener Model No. 4687

Manufactured by: Amboss Neuzeughammer Werkstätte Carl Auböck

Country of origin: Austria

Year made: 1950s to 1960s

Materials: Leather and Stainless Steel

Dimensions: 9 ½” x 1 ½” x 3/8”

Condition: Very good. The leather is in excellent condition for its age with no brittleness, dryness, cracking or splitting as often seen on these, and only showing a few marks. Some of the stainless has a few discolorations seen in the high resolution photos, but not noticeable in person. All examples we have on offer are in very good to excellent condition for their age and use.

References: Kois, Clemens, Carl Auböck: The Workshop, Powerhouse Books, (2012); Wright Auction Catalog; The Workshop: Carl Auböck Designs 1930-1980, (2016); Auböck, Carl IV, die kataloge der werkstätte carl auböck 1925 - 1975, Carl Auböck Archive (2005); Auböck, Carl IV, die arbeiten der werkstätte carl auböck fotografiert von 1948 - 2005, Carl Auböck Archive (2009); Kuzmany, Marion, Auböck 1924 - 1993 Architect: Design for Modern Living, Verlang Anton Pustet (2009).

Description: Here is another iconic Carl Auböck III design; perhaps one of his most famous and easily recognizable. Named the Neptune openers, these were manufactured with several different handle wraps, including cane, horn and wood. The first series had the steel produced by Amboss Neuzeughammer Austria and the handles were crafted by hand in the Werkstätte Carl Auböck. All the leather versions were hand stitched at the Werkstätte Carl Auböck. This example is the first series production with the name Auböck with the Amboss anvil symbol acid etched on one side and Stainless Made in Austria acid etched on the other side. Later versions of this opener and other stainless objects made by Amboss for Aubock just had the “Stainless Austria” impressed or stamped into the steel. The last production of the Neptune was manufactured by Arthur Salm in Austria (and some in Germany) and did not have the Auböck name on them and were only marked with an impressed with the AS cypher for Arthur Salm and Austria Stainless impressed in the steel.

These openers are becoming quite collectable and based on some recent auction action it seems the prices for these are rising quickly. Shop around on the internet and you will see many dealers asking considerably more than our asking price. We have several others in black and brown leather with the Aubock and Amboss markings and two Arthur Salm versions in brown leather mint in their original boxes. If you are interested in any of these others the price is the same per piece, but you will need to contact us to request a specific item. We have attached photos of three here. We also try to keep in our inventory examples with cane, horn and wood handles.