Locks And Keys Throughout The Ages

Locks and Keys Throughout the Ages

Locks and Keys Throughout the Ages

Locks and Keys throughout the Ages is widely considered the best book ever written on the history and development of locks. It is illustrated throughout with photos from the famous and extensive Lips' Collection. It was written in 1957 by Vincent J.M. Eras, the director of one of the most respected and important lock manufacturing companies in the world at that time, the Lips' Safe and Lock Manufacturing Company (now part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, along with Yale, Chubb, and many other once independent manufacturers). The author was not only a master locksmith who held several important patents, but he was also an avid collector and was passionate about the history and development of locking mechanisms. His extensive knowledge of the field comes across on every page. In fact, Eras had been in the lock manufacturing business for 58 years before he wrote this book. In the preface he states: "I consider it a gratifying task to place on record my experiences and through this book save them from oblivion. At the same time an excellent opportunity is presented to show the reader my collection of antique and modern locks - the tangible result of more than 50 years travelling, searching and study in many countries". In over 280 black-and-white photos and drawings Vincent Eras brings us on a grand tour of the development of locks from prehistoric to modern times and also explains to us, in words and illustrations, how their mechanisms work. This is a high-quality hardcover reprint of the 1957 edition of the book done by special arrangement with ASSA ABLOY. The typeface has been completely re-done and the photographs have been corrected using the latest digital correction technology. The quality is equal to and, in many cases, better than the original 1957 edition. A reprint of this book was done in the UK in the 1970s but the quality was poor. Artisan Ideas is very glad to be able to make this fascinating book available to the public again. Hardcover, 184 pages, 284 black-and-white photos and designs.

High-Security Mechanical Locks

High-Security Mechanical Locks comprehensively surveys and explains the highly technical area of high security locks in a way that is accessible to a wide audience. Well over 100 different locks are presented, organized into 6 basic types. Each chapter introduces the necessary concepts in a historical perspective and further categorizes the locks. This is followed by detailed 'how it works' descriptions with many pictures, diagrams and references. The descriptions are based on actual dissections of the real locks.The scope is limited to key operated mechanical locks, thus keyless combination locks and digital locks are not covered. The book does not deal with routine locksmithing topics such as installation and servicing of locks. The sensitive area of picking and bypassing of locks is dealt with only at a high level without giving detailed information that would be unacceptable in the wrong hands.* Comprehensive coverage of over 100 different types of 19th and 20th century key-operated locks, unified in a simple classification scheme* Detailed operating principles - clear 'how it works' descriptions* Manipulation resistance rating for each lock on a scale of 1 to 5