To The Officers & Stockholders Of Banks, & C. Lock Pamphlet

Andrews, Solomon

Publication: Privately printed, 1841, NP

Second Annual Edition. 8 7/8" x 5 1/2" in printed wrappers. In 1836 Solomon Andrews of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, designed the first commercially successful vault lock in America. His lock had adjustable tumblers and keys, allowing the owner to re-key it at any time. This pamphlet is a presentation to bank officers, explaining the importance of having every bank vault secured using a Patent Combination Lock produced by the American Bank Lock Company, and under the patent of Solomon Andrews. With his Patent Combination Lock Andrews will be able to, "consummate most fully and effectually his determination to put an entire stop to Bank Robbery by means of picks, false and skeleton keys, and all the apparatus made use of for that purpose by the gangs of Burglars which have in time part, and in an alarming degree of late, infested our country." Furthermore, "Not one Patent Combination Lock was ever yet opened in any instance, but they have been tried faithfully, determinedly, and perseveringly, and for days and weeks at a time, by the most ingenious locksmiths in the United States, as well as by amateurs and by burglars, both off and on Bank Vaults." Offers 10 advantages of the Patent Combination Lock. Offers information on which banks have been robbed and for how much money ... all robberies could have been prevented had they only secured their vaults with the Patent Combination Lock. Offers information on locks most commonly used on banks, pointing out deficiencies. Pricing offered for combination locks ranging in size from a 9" single bolt with 126 changes and one key for $50 to a 16" cross bolt with 20,000 - 1,000,000 changes and 2 keys for $400. Concludes with a listing of all banks currently using the Patent Combination Locks as well as a testimonial about the attempted burglary by James Williamson, the Boston burglar, who broke into the store of Davis, Palmer & Co., in full possession of numerous burglary tools, but to no avail ... the Patent Combination Lock kept the safe secure and unopened. Nibbling and damp-staining to top fore-corner from front to rear wrapper, vertical crease to front wrapper, binding string broken yet wrappers are bound together else a good copy of a very informative and interesting booklet.

Inventory Number: 37296Sold -- Contact us