What is it about keys that are so intriguing? Is it the mystery of what they might unlock? Or maybe who used them and where?
Cagophilist
This is the word for one who collects, or has a fondness, for keys! CLICK HERE to hear how to prounounce it!
The picture above is our latest addition to our collection – keys from the 1930s that were, at one time, in the Hatem Store in Havre de Grace. Many of these were keys used in amusement machines.
Another addition to Bahoukas History MuZeum the Brass National Cash Register that came from the Hatem Store that was at 600 Franklin Street. There are also pinball machines, other games, and a racehorse game machine. A very cool piece of Havre de Grace History from “The Casual Historian” #thecasualhistorian NOTE: The items in this photo are NOT for sale as they’re part of our HdG History Collection. The keys above ARE for sale.
A variety of shapes and sizes of keys from our collection., also for sale.
And just in case you also love locks, we have a few of those as well.
… a variety of keys, padlocks and more for sale
So whether you’re a ‘cagophilist’ that collects keys or you just has a fondness for them and might be looking for a couple for a craft project or decorating, we invite you to stop in and visit. We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
We’ve heard it said that “Locks don’t keep the thief out. They know how to open locks. Locks keep the morale person from being tempted.”
Wonderful variety of locks and keys at Bahoukas Antiques
We’ve posted several items related to locks and keys. Consider these links: Above photo: CLICK HERE Below: CLICK HERE
Some are looking for the key to open a chest or a door. Others just love collecting skelton keys.
The above links share interesting tidbits about padlocks, master locks, and skeleton keys. Take a peek, the stop by and see these items for yourself. Of course, we’ll be watchin’ for ya!
No – not Goldilocks! Nope – not locks of a canal. But locks that require a key or a combination.
Here we have several railroad locks: B&O RR, PA RR, and Southern Rio Grande Pacific. We also have Master locks,a showcase lock, and even ‘handcuffs.’ We have a variety of old keys as well.
Over 6,000 years ago, locks may have been simply special knots tied in a rope that would tell the owner that someone had been in their belongings. From History of Locks, we offer this interesting quote:
History of mechanical locks started over 6 thousand years ago in Ancient Egypt, where locksmith first managed to create simple but effective pin tumbler lock that was made entirely from wood. It consisted of the wooden post that was affixed to the door, and a horizontal bolt that slid into the post. This bolt had set of openings which were filled with pins. Specially designed large and heavy wooden key was shaped like modern toothbrush with pegs that corresponded to the holes and pins in the lock. This key could be inserted into opening and lifted, which would move the pins and allow security bolt to be moved.
The History of Locks also mentioned this interesting bit of information concerning the Dark and Middle Ages in reference to locksmiths:
to try to confuse or compound lockpickers with new tactics. Instead of one simple lock they created multiple key mechanisms, increasingly complicated key designs, they obscured keyholes with detailed ornaments, created fake keyholes (with fake mechanisms inside), and more.
The first recorded mention of handcuffs appears in Virgil’s telling of the myth of Proteus…
MASTER LOCK PADLOCKS
Most of us are familiar with the name “Master Lock” and probably have owned a few over the years. We can think of bicycle locks, a lock for our school locker, or maybe even a lock on our tool box!
Master Lock was founded by Harry Soref in 1921.
In 1924 they started running ads like the one in this photo from their website,
If Bank Vault Doors and battle ships were built in laminated layers of steel for greater strength, why not make padlocks the same way? The first Laminated Steel padlock was invented and patented on April 22nd.
And did you know that Harry Soref helped Houdini? Here’s a quote from the Master Lock website:
By 1925 Harry Soref became a recognized icon with padlocks. Escape artist Harry Houdini visited Soref after he was unable to escape from a pair of handcuffs. Soref advised Houdini on trick places to hide padlock keys between his fingers and under his tongue during stage shows.
… and yes, they even did really well during Prohibition!
On February 20th, 1928 a container of 147,600 padlocks was shipped to federal agents in New York City. These locks were used to lock down many of the establishments that continued to sell the outlawed alcohol during prohibition.
These are just a few tidbits we discover when we write our blog posts.
No matter … stop by and see if one of these items would make a perfect gift for the magician on your Christmas List or maybe a great decorative item! We’ll be watchin’ for ya!
