"What the Victorians did for us"

[Engineer]

That's fascinating to note - Thank you!

I'm delighted someone on here has a copy of the actual book to check with.

I've checked my copy of the original 1856 book, and in there is does quote GBP 200. So that was either a typo at the time of publication or a mistake in the original newspaper that the book is quoting from. Either is quite possible.

[Engineer]

I'm really pleased you have a copy of the original book, as that seems to mean the link is an accurate copy of the orignal account, including the errors.

Interestingly enough, I came across this odd referance today, in a puzzle book of all places!

http://flickr.com/photos/oldcatalogs/2397865946/in/photostream/ (the whole book)

The specific page is on: http://flickr.com/photos/oldcatalogs/2397865946/sizes/o/in/photostream/

I also found it fascinating that even in 1914, lockpicking & safcracking was considered a puzzle suitable for a hobby book, not criminal knowledge.

I've checked my copy of the original 1856 book, and in there is does quote GBP 200. So that was either a typo at the time of publication or a mistake in the original newspaper that the book is quoting from. Either is quite possible.

[n2oah]

I also found it fascinating that even in 1914, lockpicking & safcracking was considered a puzzle suitable for a hobby book, not criminal knowledge.

Interesting indeed. It just shows how backwards some people are these days, in an age of paranoia.

[Engineer]

I just posted these on an unrelated thread, but near the lock Museum, is the Chubb Building. There are also some thumbnails of very old documents that can be clicked on to see larger versions.

http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/ ... ck_making2

http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/ ... ock_making

[Engineer]

Great, I make one post then almost straight after on a totally different search I was making, I stumbled across a book giving plans for how to make some locks like those featured in the programme "What the Victorians did for us".

http://www.oldlocks.com/book_reviews/Spruce_Forge/locksmithing.htm

Strange how coincidences work...

[cledry]

This appears to be an excelent account - Thank you.

Reading through it, I did notice several errors that make me wonder if they are simple typos when typing it into the webpage, or were they present in the original, in which case, I am a little concerned over the care that might have been taken with the facts. For example, the prize was 200Gns. (1 Guinea = £1 1Shilling = £1.05). In other words, section 571 should refer to £210, not £200 as it does. Later on this mistake is not repeated and referance is made to the full £210.

Notwithstanding that, it does still seem to be the most convincing account I've seen. Thank you!

For the best account of the opening you need to read the section in george prices 1856 book.

There is also some info here :

http://antique-locks.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=150

(1 Guinea = £1 1Shilling = £1.05) that's not correct. It should be (1 Guinea = £1 1Shilling = £1.12). Since there were 20 shillings in 1 pound, then the proper total should be still be £210

[Engineer]

Hi Cledry, good to hear from you.

The way I did it was to think of it as 200 x £1 1s 0d

So that's £200 + 200 shillings + 0 pence (since there were 20 shillings in £1 = £10)

So the total should have been £210 as I said.

I know what you mean though, there were 12 old pennies in a shilling (but only 5 new pence after we went decimal in 1969). So althought there are 100 new pence in £1 now, there were actually 240 old pennies in £1.

Thank you for trying to help though!

[Scott_93]

Note that Mr. Hobbs was a VERY talented and intelligent man indeed and was very gentlemenly appartently. He definatly on of my all time heros, as for the not-so-widespread use of them, apparently Marks and Spencer have alot fitted to the older stores and they kept getting blocked up because of the dust and general pocket crud finding its way into the tip of the key, one of the reasons they are supplied with plastics caps.

Scott.