A layman's question

**anngibson** · 03-11-12, 07:22 PM

Thanks, Tom,
I especially like the details you describe of the key, and I had almost forgotten about the knobs, so these are also much appreciated.
Sorry my last post crossed with yours and Halflock's.
I really am grateful for your time and being so informative. It has helped a lot.
Best wishes, Ann.
!

**Adrian Weber** · 04-11-12, 06:44 PM

Hey Ann,

Hopefully I am not to late. I think they used and still use Bramah locks in the UK. I have seen some in London, not sure if that had been library doors though.

Adrian

**anngibson** · 07-11-12, 04:01 PM

Thank you for your input, Adrian.
'Preciate it!
Ann.

**Tom Gordon** · 08-11-12, 06:25 PM

http://www.bramah.co.uk/

**Brian Morland MLA(Hon)** · 08-09-24, 05:09 PM

In case it is somehow conected I post this, its marked 'Carnegie Steel Co.' - even if unconected it would be nice to know the purpose of the unusual shackle...

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**Tom Gordon** · 08-09-24, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by Brian Morland MLA(Hon)

In case it is somehow conected I post this, its marked 'Carnegie Steel Co.' - even if unconected it would be nice to know the purpose of the unusual shackle...

Is it not for locking the chain to make a locked loop around one or two things?

**Brian Morland MLA(Hon)** · 09-09-24, 11:02 AM

Possibly but hoped I could find a conection for the Carnegie libarys - for instance were they used to 'chain' certain books like the famous
'chained libary' at Wimborne Minster. Perhaps the name, Carnegie, is just a coincidence.

**Doug MacQueen** · 09-09-24, 07:11 PM

Andrew Carnegie, was responsible for hundreds of libraries here in the U.S. Also his steel company, Carnegie Steel Co. evolved into the United Steel Co., one of my former employers. No clue on that padlock though.

**Doug MacQueen** · 09-09-24, 07:15 PM

Andrew Carnegie, was responsible for hundreds of libraries here in the U.S. Also his steel company, Carnegie Steel Co. evolved into the United Ststes Steel Co., one of my former employers. No clue on that padlock though.

**Syd Waterman** · 12-09-24, 02:46 PM

By 1905 Andrew Carnegie had provided funding for the building of 671 libraries in America at a cost of Six Million pounds, and in England 325 libraries at a cost of £1,400,000.
One such undertaking was for the building of a new branch library in West Derby, Liverpool.
The Branch Library which has been erected on the corner of Green Lane, West Derby and Lister Drive, through the munificence of Mr. Andrew Carnegie at the cost of £15,750, was last evening formally opened by Sir. William B. Forwood, chairman of the Library, Museum, and Arts committee. The New Library which has been stocked with 8.500 volumes in all departments of Literature is a handsome structure, built from designs prepared under the direction of the Corporation Surveyor.
The building and ornamental grounds occupy 5.731 square yards of land. The entrance hall is octagonal, with doors radiating to the several departments - lending library, general reading room, women’s reading room, juvenile library, and boys' reading room.
On each side of the doorways there are two alcoves - one of which will be reserved for a bust of Mr. Carnegie. The wing on the left is the boys’ and girls' reading room (55 ft by 26 ft); the right wing is the general reading room (66 ft by 30 ft inclusive of bays), whilst the centre of the building is reserved for the public lending library, book storage space and a librarians room. The ladies room (30 ft by 20 ft), with separate entrance from Lister Drive, is quaint and tasteful in design, the building had two storey’s and a basement.
A gold plated silver key was PRESENTED TO SIR W. B. FORWOOD ON HIS OPENING OF THE WEST DERBY ANDREW CARNEGIE LIBRARY.
The head of the key, which is elaborately pierced and carved, contains on one side an enameled view of the library, and above is the crest of Sir W. B. Forwood D. L. J. P. in full heraldic blazon also in enamel.
On the other side the following inscription appears:-
Presented to Sir W B Forwood D.L. J.P. by the Library, Museum, and Arts Committee Liverpool on the opening of the Andrew Carnegie Library West Derby 27th June 1905.
The wards of the key form the initials of the recipient "W. B. F."
The above is enclosed in a handsome velvet case and was specially designed and manufactured by ELKINGTON AND CO LIMITED, The King's goldsmiths, 27 and 29 Lord Street Liverpool.
Sir William Forwood said that Mr. Carnegie had written to say he was very much regretted that he could not be present to perform the opening ceremony.