WELCOME This site has pictures of almost 3000 antique doorknobs. Many are identified by maker and/or building in which they were used. It is an updated and expanded version of Victorian Decorative Art.  This landmark 1983 book by Len Blumin contained several hundred black & white photographs of doorknobs along with known identifying information.  Dr. Blumin was and is a doorknob collector.  He grouped the doorknobs in his book into classifications by design.  Two subsequent editions of the VDA have been published by the Antique Doorknob Collectors of America under the editing leadership of Win Applegate. As people became interested in antique hardware, they realized well designed and well made hardware continued to be made after the Victorian era. Reflecting that interest doorknobs made after the Victorian era are also included.

Following on with Dr. Blumin's classification system, pages A through W contain pictures of all the knobs of that design classification. Clicking on an individual knob picture opens a page containing additional information on that knob. The CONTENTS page explains the classification system and has links to each page. 

     This on-line version will provide collectors, homeowners, and dealers with ability to look up more than 2,750 doorknobs from color photographs, many with manufacturer and date information and alternate photos  including some with the matching plates.  This site will be regularly updated with new doorknobs and additional information posted on the UPDATES page.  And if you have any knowledge about doorknobs on the website, please use the Comment box on each individual page to share your information.

 Our Business Members can be excellent sources for finding hardware, so visit the WHERE TO BUY page to connect to them. Please note, the value of any piece of hardware depends on condition, rarity and demand. As a result we are not able to assign a value to any item. 

Acknowledgements

     This site is only possible through the support of the many members of the Antique Doorknob Collectors of America.  They have opened their collections, brought knobs to conventions, and allowed their knobs to be photographed and have been the source of much information.  The site is built on the work of Dr. Len Blumin, who wrote and created the original edition of Victorian Decorative Art, and Win Applegate, who compiled and edited the two subsequent editions.

     Numerous people have given access to the doorknobs shown on this site to be photographed.  Others including Don Pearson, invited me into their homes.  Norman Kanis at Architectural Antiques of Indianapolis gave free access to his store.  Paul Woodfin and Mike Smith helped Steve Hannum to photograph the many doorknobs on this website.  Developing a website, creating the many pages herein, and loading photographs has been a learning experience for your editorial staff, but as career educators we have enjoyed building this site for your use.

​             Steve Hannum, Editor
             Paul Woodfin, Associate Editor