boxes of 19th and early 20th century builders' hardware rediscovered

while looking for a hopkins and dickenson doorknob the other day, i ran across several boxes of "personal collection" 19th century builders' hardware i've had stowed away for years. when i pull the lid from the first container, i immediately recognized doorknobs from the william k. vanderbilt mansion (known as the "eagle's nest) and rare bronze doorknobs from louis h. sullivan's guaranty building. the hardware from guaranty (fabricated by yale & towne) is especially important - representing sullivan's only known drawings for any sort of building hardware.

inspired, i've decided to pull all of my most unique hardware, including that from the bldg. 51 museum collection (consisting entirely of hardware from notable chicago buildings) to document once again in my studio.