A Treatise on Fire & Thief-Proof Depositories and Locks and Keys [FIRST EDITION with BOOKENDS]

London: Simkin, Marshall, and Co.; E. and F. N. Spon, 1856. First Edition. Hardcover. Good. First Edition. Hardcover. This 1000-page tome, published in 1865, is considered "The Locksmith's Bible" (though 19th century bankers also called it "The Burglars' Bible" due to its detailed diagrams of locks). Its pages hold a history of locks from before biblical times, accounts of feuds between competing manufacturers, specifications, patents, pricing, testimonials, and so much more, including a chromolithographic plate and nearly 500 figure illustrations throughout. Author George Price was the proprietor of the Cleveland Safe Works in Wolverhampton, born a printer's son and apprentice who pursued other professions, notably as an insurance assessor; it was in this line of work that he became frustrated with the amount of claims he received from customers because their safes were "no stronger than a parrot's cage." It was at this point Price struck out to invent and manufacture truly fire and thief-proof safes. This 1856 first edition has seen some of the ravages Price's safes sought to protect such treasures from, with its rebacked spine and reinforced hinges hinting at past trouble. Now firm, sound, and square, and joined by matching key-themed bookends, this is a strong and secure first printing of "The Locksmith's Bible," sure to be prized by locksmiths and collectors of antique locks alike.

Subjects include the early history of the Iron Safe, specifications and patents for fire-resistant and thief-proof safes, iron safes, the preservation of parchment deeds, fire-proof closets, strategic locations for safes, powder-proof locks, pricing and testimonials, an early history of locks and keys, the Lock Controversy and the Great Exhibition of 1851, kinds of locks and comparative pricing, advice on iron safes, locks, and keys, and a history of Wolverhampton and its lock-trade.

8 7/8" X 5 7/8". viii, [iii], 2-916pp, 6pp index, errata, plus 48 pages of catalogues advertising locks and safes made by Price and others. Ex libris Boston College, with their stamp in purple to title page. Bound in original decorated crimson cloth over boards, with oak chest stamped in gilt to upper board, bordered elaborately in blind to both boards, and large lock in gilt to spine, lettered in kind. Rather heavy wear to binding, with spine rebacked in red cloth, with the majority of the original spine present and 2" X 1 1/2" loss to head, with title relettered where losses occurred. Corners bumped and split, scattered rubbing, and some soiling to cloth. Binding is firm, sound, and square. Light soiling and scuffing to edges of text block. Green coated endpapers, likely replacing the originals when the spine was reinforced. Mild foxing to chromolithographic plate, else pages are clean and unmarked. Illustrated in 471 figures and one chromolithographic plate.