l wIre 1!Innrknnh QrnllertnrNumber 42 July-August 1990

An all-star cast will be at conventionThe 1990 annual ADCA convention

is only a short time away. In thelast issue we outlined some of theevents and activities. For thosecoming for the first time buying,selling, trading, the auction, andthe many displays will be mostimpressive.

Maybe we did not mention t he majorhighlight of the convention. There willbe an all-star cast of doorknobs and avirtual who's who in door hardwarecollectors. Everyone will be anxious tosee if any new knobs have surfaced.

There will be three authors ofbooks on doorknobs, locks andrelated hardware. Maude Eastwood,Len Blumin and Tom Hennessey haveall made major contributions tothe field of door hardware.seeing all three of them togetherfor what is probably the firsttime will be most impressive.Bring your books along and havethem autographed by the authors.Our goal is to have a picture of

Passage T hrough T ime by L i n d a T ornpk i n(s e e the open d o o r , pag e two. )

the three authors together for ournext issue.

We are also looking forward toseeing Charlie Wardell, who maywell have the largest collectionof doorknobs in t h e world. We areeager t o see the displays EdTh r a l l has in store for us. Ed hasbeen bringing interesting andunusual displays to the conven­tions since 1983. Now, in his ownterritory, we wonder if he willoutdo himself.

Everyone is a star at the ADCAconvention, whether they bring alarge amount of knobs, a few ornone. The important thing is tocoma and be counted as a collectoror one interested in door hard­ware.

If you did not receive the'convention package, , pleasenotify ADCA, P.O. Box 126, Eola,IL 60519-0126 or phone 708-357-2381 and we will rush it toyou .•

H e H o l d s t h e Key b y L i n d a T om p kin(see the op e n doo r, page tw o )

THE OPEN DOOR_. .-by ra nernec

As an editor of '!heIkJorknclb OJilectar, my goalis to make the publicationas infonnative and enter­tai.nin:J as possible. Thenewsletter is an essentiallink between the membership.As such, you should firrlnews about the club'sactivities as well as otheritems keeping with theobjectives of the Antique~ COllectors ofAmerica. As always, yourhelp is encouraged. let usknow about members in thenews, upcoming events, andother infonnation you wouldlike to see in the newslet­ter. send your comments toEditor, AOCA, P.O. Box 126,Eola, IL 60519-0126.

Many of you will firrlrenewal notices for 1991.They are being sent oneissue earlier than inprevious years. AIX:A'sinitial annual membershipfee was $20. Nine yearslater we still have the $20annual membership fee. Mostother organizations, such asBCCA, CERA, SABR, etc. haveraised their dues in thepast nine years. By sen:lingyour dues in early it notonly gives us a better cashflow position but enables usto take advantage of senneshort-term investment in-

came. The net result i s thatyou still pay only $20 ayear for your membership.

We are always looking forother sources of income.Members can make donationsto the club, not only inmoney, but may want to leavetheir collection to theclub. leaving the doorknobsto AOCA after your deathcould serve two purposes .one, certain i tems could beincluded in the proposeddoor hardware museum, Therernairrler of the hardwarecould be auctioned at theconvention with the moneyset aside in a special furrlfor the museum or otherpurposes.

The recent death of vinceNoe was a personal loss toloretta and me. v ince notonly gave us much encourage­ment but also was a frequentcontributor in the newslet­ter.

carol Meermans has told usabout a painter who has doneseveral paintings whichfeatured doorknobs. Theartist, Linda Tampkin ofUniontown, Ohio, has had thepaintings on tour. "PassageThrough Time" won an awardfram 'Dle Artist's Magazine.Li.nda found the doorknobsand plates at a flea market.She arranged them into an"aerial""'View" still life.The acrylic painting (22X26)is for sale end the askingprice is $2 , 500 • "He Holdsthe Key" is listed at $1 ,200and measures 19X20.

Tompkin, a realist painterworking in acrylics andoils, is a signature memberof the National WatercolorSociety, The AmericanArtists Professional leagueand many regional societies.She paints and teaches in

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her studios in Uniontc:MnAHer favorite subjects are­still life am larx:iscapes.She does carnm.issions - ifanyone would like theirspecial doorknobs done. Youcan contact Li.nda Ton'pkinabout the availability ofthe two paintings or apainting you may want doneby writing her at 562 E. I

easton Road, Uniontown, ohio44685••

N- 126

CORBIN

U:\)r DoorlmolJ ~ollrrtor

Pub lis he d six t imes a ye ar by AntiqueDoorkn ob Collect ors of A m erica , Inc.P. O. Box 126, Eola , IL 60519 - 0 126 .Ra y m ond a nd Loretta Nemec , Editors.

Phon e: 1 -70 8 - 357 - 2381Printed by Sun Printing, Nape rvi lle , ILAnn ua l Membership in USA: $ 20 . 0Foreign ra t es on re quest .

19 90 A DCA C O N V E NTIO N - SC H ED U L E OF E VEN TS

Thursday Friday Saturday Sund a y

M o r nin g9 :00 to 12 ;0 0 9 :00 t o 12 :00 V isi t the 'I'h r a l l s

Set up d isp lays , L ate a r r i vals can a nd the ir door-

with u sual bu y i n g se t up d isplays , kno b c o .I l e ct i on ..

se lli ng a nd wi th mor e buy i ng , Explore ' T he

t r a ding sellin g and t r a d i n Build i ng' b u il tby E d Th r a ll.

L u n c h On y o u r own O n yo u r own Ea rly lunch(Fr e s h swee t

corn andto m ato e s)

Afte r n o o n M ore b u ying , 2 :0 0 t o 4 :0 0, Trip to L o cks e ll i n g and Op e n to t h e M u s e urn a tTra ding publi c T e r ryvi lle

Di nne r O n you r o wn ADCA B a nqu e t ADCA B a nque t On Yo u r own

E v e n i n g R ec e p ti on A nnua l m e e t i ng Sa t u r d a y n i g h tA u ctio n

Bo a r d M e e t i n" to be announced

O the r po s s ib I i t i e s : Trolley M u s e urn , Fir e Mus e u m , Clo c k Muse u m , Vi sit s tov arious citi e s , antiqu e s hops and t our s .

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198 9 1990198819 8719 86198519 84

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IX ·I

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I- -'--

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ADCA MEMBERSHIP BY YEAR

The 1990 Anti que Doorknob Collect or s of 1\mericamembersh ip r oster was included with our last i s s ue .The roster inc l uded 177 members , an i ncrease of 13over las t year ' s roster .

The 177 members ar e located in 37 states and t wof oreign co unt ri es . Canada and Belgium are eachrepres ented by one member . California maintained itsl ead wi th 25 members . Illinois was second with 17 .

200 ,-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

180

160

140

120 enIT:

100 ~80 - ~

:~ ~~~20~o

1981 1982 1983

N O. 64 22 2 K N O BN o . 042:11 Es c.

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<!E)rnamental begign in antique boorhnobgby Len Blumin

E-152 Cas t Iron

E-153 Art Nouveau swir l , Pretty .

E- 154 Lar ge s ixf ol d acant hus swi r l wi t h star center .

E- 152

E- 153

CLASS I FICATION SYSTEM

Many a s k abo u t t hei d e n t i f i c a t i on s ys t e m we usef o r doorknob s i n The DoorknobCollect o r. Le n l umi n , in hi sb o o k , Victorian Decorative Art ,wr o t e , " an a t t e mp t h as be e nma de to g ro u p the kn obsa cco r d i n g t o ur b itr a r y d e s i gnc h a r a c t e r i s t i c s, t o f a c i l i t a t et h e l o c a t i on o f a p a r t i c u l a rp a t t e r n . " Th e book l i s t s thev a riou s desi g n a t i o n s b y le tte r sA t h r o ugh N. S i n ce t h e b o o k h a sb e e n publish e d a 15 t h I t t e r ,"0 , " h a s be e n a d de d . Lenst a t e d , " wi t h i n eac h gr oup , t hek n obs s h own sh a r e a uni f y i n gdes ign f a t u r e o r t heme . Fo ri n s t a n c e , i n g roup B t h ede s i g n s ar e asymmetr i c , ing r o u p G the de sig n s h avet h r e e f o l d symmet ry , a nd i ng r ou p N t he kno bs are ro ugh l yov a l i n s h ape . "

Doggie Doorknob Coffee Mug

NEW

T1\• •~. dooJ"'bDO . can 1..n b:r'vl"me •.,.. 68ai..aC trr 1.DctWU'~.

1I.&md&C'tm"WS mbaaall • 1Tw1..n . &n:l.

opal.-rlad .111M 7 . le7Cl. I t 1• •~~Ul:J. ,..~Q..r;IC of '"I:""...at"U.I:aeoearaU.,..~ uzs .. m..c t anlrt1Aat tom i.JIUJnIa' DccI:r'UoO~ Cl!......CL.

nd.8 .a.c ... d aa.e-d ud..~e-1

tor ~ .6Jlt1QuI Loon:nDb Cau.~

of l-ne&. AIC.L ..... t~ 1Zl

'Io!....~. l aa lrI. 1981.

1U-L

By Antique Doorknob Col lectors of Amer ica

$6.00 plus $2 .50 shipp ing

E- 154

- 4-Ord er Fo r m E ncl o s ed

( continued)

G- 137 Th r ee le a v e s nestle d in Co n c ave di sh c e n t e r .

G- 13 8 Pr e t t y t h r e efold a canthus s wi r l from Mal d a n a d o.

G- 139 Inter e s ti ng de si gn. Wh o mad e i t ?

Fo l l o wi ng is an index tothe classification system:

A Representational Designs

B Asymmetric Designs

G-137

C Odd-shaped Knobs

H Fourfold Symmetry

J Sixfold Symmetry

I Fivefold Symmetry

G-138Twofold Symmetry

E Spirals and Swirl s

D Field or Diaper Patterns

F

G Threefold Symmetry

K Eightfold Symmetry

L Radia l Symmetry

M Concentric Symmetry

N Oval Knobs

o Emblematic and Fr a t e r na l Knobs

G-139

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Dear Doorknob Collectors,

I saw your address in anissue of Country Living. Icollect doorknobs and wassurprised but happy to findout there was a club, forpeople like me. I am 13 andgot interested in doorknobsa few year age. Pokingaround in antique and j unkstores with my Mom and Auntand different people Ithought I needed anothercollection, so I settled ondoorknobs. I have found itto be interesting lookingfor and buying new anddifferent doorknobs.

I have a few benningtonand a wooden one that Ithink is birds-eye maple. Ialso have a set of bigbrass levers. I'm not sureyou would consider themdoorknobs but I do.

Well, the main reason I'mwriting is I was wonderingif you had a newsletter orany information you couldgive me. I have included aself-addressed stampedenvelope and I would reallyenjoy hearing from you.

Thank you,April WaddillH C R 33 box 220Elking, AR 72727.

LettersDEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

DIVISION OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ARCHEOLOGY

Capitol Complex

Carson CIty, Nevada 89710

(702) 687-5138

play 9, 1990

Antique Doorknob Collectors of AmericaP.O. Box 125Eo l a , Ill. 50519

To Whom This ~ay Concern:

A doorknob was recently recovered from a artifact looter's dirtpile from a portion of Carson City's Chinatown. As a result ofthis unauthorized excavation a collection was made by this officeof assorted artifacts of WhICh this doorknob is part. A reportis in preparation at this time describing the artifacts alongw i th t.he development of a historical context for this Ch i n a t o wn .

The purpose of this let.ter is to seek any information that ~our

organization might have concerning this type of doorknob.

The doorknob appears to be made of a white ceramic materiaL. Thesurface finish is smooth with numerous small indents orblemishes. The finish color is shiny white. A chip in thesurface reveals a subsurface texture like fine granular sugar anddull white in color. In profile, the shape is an elongated ovalwhile the top view is circular. The approximate diameter is 2and 1/8th inches. The thickness (from front surface to where itmeets the metal) is approximately 1 inch. The metal portion isbadly corroded.

The questions I have are: Is there a particular name, style, typefor this doorknob?; Who might have manufactured this style of.doorknob and where is the manufacturer/s located?; and What range~

of dates (suggested manufacturer's production years) can beassigned to this style of doorknob?

Any information that your organization can pass along to meconcerning this type of doorknob would be greatly appreciated.Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

Sincerely yours,

<Jj~1,~William White,Planner/Historic Archeologist

1989 - 1990ANTIQUE OOORKNOB COILECl'ORS OF AMERICA

Board of Directors

PresidentVice PresidentSecretary/TreasurerBoard MemberBoard MemberBoard MemberBoard MemberBoard Member

Len Blumin #3Win Applegate #110Ray Nemec #8Bill Byington #41Dean Campbell #11Mark Davidovich #25Maude Eastwood #2Arnie Fredrick #1

Mill Valley, CAHamilton Square, NJNaperville, ILIowa City, IANewberg, ORCarpinteria, CATillamook, ORWaverly, IA

Secretary to the Board JUlie Mann #70

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Speedway, IN

A pawn shop called The Doorknob?by Debb i e Fe l l enz

(!&bttuartrsVINCENT J . NOE

Antique Doorkn ob Collect ors ofAmeric a welcom es letters from itsreade rs. Address a ll corresponde nceto "Letters to the Editors," p. O.Box 126, Eola , lL 60519-0126.ADCA reserves the right to edi t a llsubmissions .

Vi nc ent J . Noe , a memberof the Antique DoorknobCollectors of America s ince1982 , died on Ma y 28 , 1990 ,in Metamor a, Ill i nois .De a t h was the resul t ofchronic emphys ema . He was73 year old .

Born March 31 , 191 7 , inMe t amor a , he marriedFlor ence Martin on May 18 ,1946 , in Peoria , Illinois .She survi ves . Al s o sur­v ivi ng are two sons ,Stephen of Eas t Peoria , andMaj or Mark of Champaign .

Vi nce, owne d the Noe LockShop i n Metamora f or anumber of years . As ar e s ul t of his lock s hop hebecame interested i n theh i s t ory of the lock anddoor hardwa re c ompan i e s .Th i s led to h i s becoming amember of t he Lock Museumand l a t e r ADCA.

Af t e r attending t hea.nnua l ADCA convention atNa pe rvi l le , Illino i s , in1983 , Noe presente d t hei dea of av~rds for doorknobdisplays at f ut ur econventions . Awards weremade at t he 1984 c onvent ionf or the first time .

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A c ol lec tor of doorhard\vare for over 20 years ,he ~2S o f t en i nterviewed bynewspapers and televi s i onstat i ons .

MAX H. LIESMAN

Max H. Liesman , 73 , diedof a str oke on May 26 ,1990 , in Ma r s hal l t own,I Olva . He and h i s wi fe,Ba r bara , wer e chart ermembe r s of t he AntiqueDoorknob Collector ofAmerica .

1"tr. Liesman was born inKellogg, towa , and hadlived in Des Mo i ne s for 50years , whe r e he r e t i r edf r om the City Ha l l f i nancedepartmen

Barbara is the a c t.u<Jldoorknob c o l l e c t or , con­centr a t ing on knobs f r omthe Des Ho i nes arCil . Thelast c onvent ion 1"tr . Lie s ma nattended " as in 1986 atNinneapo lis .

In add i t i on to h i s wife ,he is s urvi ved by t wodaughters , Anna Ho l s t i ne ofCedar Ra.p i ds a nd J u l i aRobins on of Wa t e r l oo andone grandchild .

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CLASSIFIED AD SECTION

ROSTER UPDATE

J - 201

Additions

Rosaria Sinisi #22316 Cl ifton Pl aceBrooklyn NY 11238 .

Addr ess change :Bi l l Eas t wood #124,1118 142nd Pl ace, SEMi l l Cr eek , WA 98012-1368 .

Keith Cur r y #222P. o . Box 621Alexandria, Va 22314 .

J oe Pr zyj emski #2241036 Bedford RoadCarlisle, MA 0174 1..

J ames P. Ander son #883041 6th St. S .W . #7Cedar Rapi ds , Iowa 52405 .

Tom & Cons t ance Skyrner#22023 Elm DriveMed ford , NJ 08055

Rovert J. Harrington #2216 Vill age RoadMilfor d , CT 06460 .

WANTED. J - 201 knobs. Ros ar i aSi ni s i (#223) , 16 Cl ift on lPl ace , Br ookl yn , NY 11238 .Phone 718- 638-4966. (Seepi c . page 8. )

remi nded thatentit l e you to

items for sal e,lllant ed at no

Members ar eyour duesadver t i set r ade orcharge .

FOR SALE . Ver y extens i veset s of NorwaLk "Marqui s"(N- 101 Vi c t or i an Decor at i veArt ) i nt er i or and exte r i orknobs , mort i s es , drawerpUl ls , pl a t.es, et.c.probabl y enough f or anentire house . Sell i ng as aset only. Beauti f ulcondi t i on, Ser i ous buyersinqu i re . Archi tect uralAnt i ques (#2 13 ) , 801\vash i ngton Av . N. ,

i nneapol i s, MN 55401.Phone 612-332- 8344 . At t n :Carol .

FOR SALE. Huge s e l ecti on ofcas t & s t amped knobs andcomplete lock s et s . Br as s ,s t eel chrome and woodava i l ab l e. Send us YOlITr eques t s . Ref er toVi c t or ian Decorat i ve Artnumber s , or s end drawi ngsor photocopy . Architect ura lAn t i ques (#213), 801\vashi ngt on Av . N. ,Mi nneapol i s , ~w 55401.Phone 612-332- 8344 . At t n:Carol .

WIIL TRADE . Board ofEduca t i on of t he c ity ofDet roit, i n Bower - Barffcast i r on with sa t i n blackl us t er . (The f ace of theknob has a l ady and chi l dwith mount ains and t r ees i nbackground . Al so has abanner wi t h t he l a t i n word'Sigiturad Ast ra ' ) .Wantedano ther emblema tic or otherknobs of equal val ue . Haveseveral . John Hol l and (#4) ,3434 N. 47th Way , Phoeni x,AZ 85018 . Ph :602- 840- 1945 .

FROM THE ARClITVESWITH ARCHIVIST'S

Bar b & Steve Menchhof er

NOW! WHAT 00 I OO!

So . . . your ca t al og copi eshave arrived . You havel ooked t hrough t hem and nowyour are wonder i nq what todo wi th t.h em-c- h ow to save'olear and tear on t hem asyou are s canning throughthem. How t o kee p t hem f r omgett ing soiled , how t opreserve t hem. \vellmember s, how do you keepyour ca tal og copies l ooldnggood? I f you woul d l i ke t oshar e your i deas withever yone , wr ite t o us andve "Ti ll put t hem i n one ofour fu ure articles .

I n t he meantime, we wi l lsha re our ,vay wi t h you . lveplITchased clear vinylpages , i nser t two cat al ogpages back t o back in eachvinyl page, then we put allpages of the catalogtogether i n a three- r i ngbi nder . Ead 1 catalog i sdone this way . What worksfor us might also work foryour . If your way is bet t eror different. t ha n ours , l e tus know.

lve woul.d like to t hankall of you who or der edcatalogs t h i s t i me and weapprec i a te your pat.ience inwa i ting f or your orde r s t obe f illed .

Don 't f or get t o vis it t heArchives t ab l e at t heconvent i on! He wi Ll, see youthere . _