Bastille Key -- Mount Vernon et al

[BillB]

Mein lieber Gerry:

Vielen Dank! Thank you very much!!

Beste Wunsche,
Bill

[Scott Klemm]

I mentioned in my first post that the handle of the Bastille key reminded me of a Yale prison key. Here's a picture.

[BillB]

Dear Scott:

Thanks!

BTW, I am looking as well for a photo or diagram of the antique locking mechanism (inside view) that would likely have paired with the Mount Vernon Bastille Key. I've googled: antique lock mechanism image and gotten some interesting clues, but nothing stands out as definitive for the MV Bastille Key. As you will recall, the Bastille was taken in 1789, so the lock/key would have had to have been made earlier.

Ideas, please let me know. Thanks again!

Best regards,
Bill

[Gerry]

hello,

i found this at ebay,
it will be closed this evening:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Huge-18th-...4AAOSw-0xYOebt

[BillB]

Dear Gerry:

Thanks! Here's my response to the seller:

New message to: stephenwilson

I've just written a book about the Bastille keys in the US: "George Washington's Liberty Key." The key at Mount Vernon is not cast iron; it is wrought iron. The key at the Masonic Temple is half and half. One of the three other keys (Grieves) may be steel. www.LibertyKey.US available also at Amazon.com There were several Bastilles, not just the one that was attacked on 14 July 1789. I'm taking it you have no record of provenance? Thanks! Very interesting!

If you're interested in the book, you can also purchase at the same price to a more author-friendly Amazon site:
https://www.createspace.com/6529763

Thanks again for this great heads-up!

Best regards,
Bill

hello,

i found this at ebay,
it will be closed this evening:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Huge-18th-...4AAOSw-0xYOebt

[BillB]

Dear Gerry:

Thanks, and BTW, the 0.5 kg translates to 1.1 pounds, almost the same weight as the Mount Vernon Bastille Key, which is 7.5 inches. This one is almost the same size at 7.25 inches. With a somewhat similar bow, fantastic coincidence!

Thanks again!

Best regards,
Bill

Dear Gerry:

Thanks! Here's my response to the seller:

New message to: stephenwilson

I've just written a book about the Bastille keys in the US: "George Washington's Liberty Key." The key at Mount Vernon is not cast iron; it is wrought iron. The key at the Masonic Temple is half and half. One of the three other keys (Grieves) may be steel. www.LibertyKey.US available also at Amazon.com There were several Bastilles, not just the one that was attacked on 14 July 1789. I'm taking it you have no record of provenance? Thanks! Very interesting!

If you're interested in the book, you can also purchase at the same price to a more author-friendly Amazon site:
https://www.createspace.com/6529763

Thanks again for this great heads-up!

Best regards,
Bill