Seriously, what other website wants to see photos of your old door knobs and related hardware — that is, escutcheons? This was suggested by reader Madeline, who wrote:
This rare escutcheon — oh my, so gorgeous — was designed by Howard Pierce; I’ve spotted the design for sale on ebay twice.
Hi Pam,
Would you consider doing a reader-uploader-thing for door knobs and related hardware? (I’m assuming you haven’t already done this in the past.)
I am debating over which style to use on my (currently nonexistent and purely theoretical!) 70’s style contemporary house after having amassed a decent amount of NOS Weiser tulip door knobs in antiqued brass.
I would love to see what other people have on their doors – interior and exterior!
If anybody collects old catalogs from Schlage, Weiser, and so on (someone has been buying them all off eBay… who are you?!) those could be interesting too.
Thanks,
MadelineP.S. Your webpage is a dangerous influence! 😉
Thank you, Madeline, for the great idea. And I hope, “Dangerous in a Good Way” 😉
Our lead photo, above, to start: A Ruth Richmond for Weiserlock doorknob that designer Ben Sander turned me on to. Of course, ever since I wrote about these doorknobs, prices on ebay have doubled or tripled or more. Doggonit.
UPDATE: My site was taking too long to load. So I turned the Uploader off while I asked my host server to see what/if there was a problem. I’ll add the uploader back if / when. Meanwhile, enjoy the photos uploaded so far:
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:
15+ companies that sell decorative concrete screen blocks – comprehensive list 
Mid century modern chicken coop 
Cute midcentury modern style shed on sale now 
Susan’s vintage wood doors with a sliding six-pane window 
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Love this! I think period hardware really makes a statement. Next, how about switch plates? Decorative ones used to be really popular. I’m always looking for interesting ones. Why should turning on the lights be boring!!
Suzy, you read my mind!!! I’ve just started scouring eBay for switch plates as well as the last few bits of door hardware to complete my set!
Oh, I used to have a super naughty Tom of Finland switch plate…no photos alas!
That doorknob is so cool. In fact, I found one online (for a super great price I now realize!) and used it to top my husband’s walking stick. We removed the boring old black top and put this on! Total wizard stick now. He gets SO many comments on it!!!
I’m ridiculously excited to see all of the fabulous hardware that will be posted!
I am really looking forward to seeing all the great photos on this uploader. I was just thinking the other day about how I would love posts with different uploader categories featured. It is always fun to be allowed a peek at all the vintage goodies that RR readers have in their homes. Lots of inspiration! Thanks, Pam!
That lion head knob with astrological escutcheon is hands down, the coolest thing I’ve ever seen! Not sure who’s house that is but, LUCKY you!!!!😃
I can almost state that this is why we bought the place! It’s on the front door to our condo overlooking the Ballard Locks (in Seattle) build in 1982. We swing the lion’s head away to use the keyhole. The man who built our building owned our unit so it’s got a few ‘extras’ the other ones don’t have. Thank goodness that the floor to ceiling aquarium has been removed, along with the hot tub in our skylight room (entire ceiling is glass)! It gives me the willies to think about how much water used to be stored up here.
WOAH! Party house!
And yes Pam, you are most definitely dangerous in a good way 😉
Love your site and can’t get enough of it!!!
I’m glad to know I’m not the only person who’s crazy for this stuff!
OMG that lion head knob!! Would love to know more about it.
Found out how to pronounce escutcheon a couple of months ago at the Habitat for Humanity when I bought a door, removed the knob and escutcheon and re donated the door. A volunteer corrected me.
Great story!
Oh I hope someone uploads a cobalt blue one…I remember those from childhood.
The Architectural Heritage Center here in Portland, Oregon has a display gallery called The Beauty of Historic Hardware, described as: “Artifacts include drawer pulls, escutcheon plates, sash lifts, hinges and doorknobs – in wrought bronze, brass, nickel, glass, and more.” Detail and craftsmanship that you certainly don’t find in today’s big-box store goods!
I’d love to see an uploader (one of my favorite RR features) of table settings…every day or holiday! Easter…hint, hint?
Aunt Clara would be over the moon at this feature!!
I forgot about Aunt Clara and her door knob collection 🙂
(see my reply to Marie). We sold our mcm home in October which was located in North Seattle. It’s front door was very cool, too, but yes, the lion’s head is swank and takes the cake!
Our condo’s bathroom also has pink marble and 3 vintage Lightolier Sciolari glass rod light fixtures which I love, love, love. I feel oh, so pretty in there!
Hardware and lighting, the jewelry of your home!!! Love it, thanks all for posting and sharing.
Thanks for this! Still looking for something appropriate for our 1949 Cliff May (wanna be?) ranch “front” dutch door. (In quotes because it’s a door into a breezeway instead of the house.) The original was swapped out maybe in the 80s before we bought it.
That doorknob! The one on the main story — the gold encased in glass. That doorknob! It. Is. Stunning.
Look at these! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-SCHLAGE-Lock-Company-Catalog-RETRO-Door-Locks-Knockers-Handles-Hardware-1966-/361900850255?hash=item5442f8bc4f:g:ncEAAOSwKtlWrpGn
Wow, what an amazing variety!
Now this is interesting. It’s labeled as Falcon Locks, but it features Weiser’s “Beverly” and “Troy” models:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-FALCON-Lock-Company-Catalog-RETRO-Door-Locks-Locksets-Handles-Hardware-1966/192099989341?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41375%26meid%3D2d16889a25c74a559671e55671a934ba%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D3%26sd%3D361900850255
These are also gorgeous! I’ve seen plenty of advertisements for Dexter brand hardware, but never seen any come up for sale: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-DEXTER-Lock-Catalog-RETRO-Door-Locks-Handles-Hardware-Accessories-1966/361900850202?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D41375%26meid%3D2d16889a25c74a559671e55671a934ba%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D3%26sd%3D361900850255
Must be the same company… I wonder if they are the exact same product. Could be useful if trying to collect more matching door knobs! 😉
And I take that back! There are plenty of Dexter door knobs for sale now!