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Old steel and brass metal strong box marked Hobbs & Co. on the handle and "Cheapside London" at the base of the handle. Lock marked "Hobbs & Cos Patents." Inside of lid says "Hobbs & Co. By Appointment Patent Protectors."
Alfred C. Hobbs was an American who came to England in 1851 as a salesman with Day and Newell when they came to exhibit at the Crystal Palace Exhibition. He had also become an acknowledged master at picking locks and took on the challenge of picking a Bramah padlock. It took him 51 hours in 16 working days, after which he could open the lock in an hour. The Arbitrators awarded him the prize of 200 guineas. With this money, and the invaluable publicity he had received, he went into business as a lockmaker in Cheapside, London. The company started in 1851 and was formally registered as Hobbs and Co. in 1852. But by 1855 it had become Hobbs, Ashley and Co. Soon the name changed to Hobbs, Ashley and Fortescue, with an address at 97 Cheapside. It is not clear whether they moved or Cheapside altered, but the address for ninety years was 76 Cheapside. In 1860 Hobbs returned to America and went on to patent many machines. So based on this information, it was probably made between 1851 and 1855.
MEASUREMENTS
4" H x 10"W x 6"D
CONDITION
Scraches, no key. Odor.
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