In Case of Books, Break Glass

[steepholm]

This blurry (sorry) photograph shows the bookcase I use for my "special" books: the ones that are fragile, or old, or have some personal significance. A lot of my family stuff is in there, as well as copies of my own books, and at the top left you'll see my Mythopoeic Award. It's a nice piece of furniture: I inherited it from my father.

The case is kept shut by a simple single-lever mortice lock, with a small key. Unfortunately, about six months ago the key went missing, and despite many searches it's failed to reappear. I tried picking the lock with a hairpin, and got a more competent friend who'd watched Youtube videos on the subject to have a go with some more likely looking equipment, but neither of us succeeded. The couple of locksmiths I've tried so far aren't interested in this kind of thing. I've been to junk shops and second-hand furniture shops on the Gloucester Rd, and borrowed keys to try in the lock (it's a very simple one, as I say), but so far none has fitted.

Meanwhile, a small pile of books keeps a silent vigil on the shelf, awaiting entry: The Cambridge Companion to Fantasy Literature, Reflections, Reading History in Children's Books, and of course Fanny Jane Butler: Medical Missionary - which I'll probably be describing here shortly.

Can anyone suggest a way of getting into this bookcase, short of breaking it? It's beginning to annoy me.

Comments

[jadelennox]

The hinges aren't external, are they?

Also -- this is unlikely since it's nice, inherited furniture -- but if the back is plywood held on with small nails you can pry them out and replace it later with minimalharm.

[steepholm]

I really wouldn't feel confident doing anything that invasive! I'm not very handy, at all. But if I can find a jolly cabinet maker, perhaps he or she can do it - I hope...

[ashkitty]

I was also going to say take off the hinges! If you can't actually take them off, you may still be able to pull the pin out?

[steepholm]

Alas, the hinges really don't stick out far enough to do that, as far as I can see.

[cmcmck.livejournal.com]

Thankfully, our Welsh dresser the top of which fulfills a similar purpose for the 'precious' or meaningful books doesn't have locks.

[mollydot.livejournal.com]

(here via friendsfriends)

Can you take off the back? Or if you do have to break it in the end, do so from the back ,which can be fixed less obviously.

Could you take apart the hinges? Take off the bit of wood that covers the part of the lock that goes into the other door?

Good luck!

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the advice! I've no idea how to take off the hinges, but taking it apart from the back is a good idea. The wood there is at least definitely thinner. All the same, I'd far rather pay someone competent to do this stuff than try it myself - if I could find the right person.

[nightspore.livejournal.com]

I was going to suggest hinges too. You could probably also remove a pane of glass by slicing around the glue or putty or whatever that's holding it in the frame.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I don't think I'll be trying that myself, as I'm far too likely to cause real damage for which I'd never forgive myself, but I might get someone professional to have a look. Only, who? Joiner, locksmith, glazier, handy bloke from the small ads? It's a tough choice...

[dorianegray.livejournal.com]

I suspect that what you need may be a cabinet-maker. Such a person might have an idea about the lock and would certainly be able to take the bookcase apart safely.

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

You may well be right. I'll ring around.

[houseboatonstyx.livejournal.com]

Ask an antique dealer to recommend someone?

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

A good suggestion - thank you.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

No additional advice, but good luck! (and, you have a Mythopoeic Award? Cool!)

[steepholm.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I've decided to try the cabinet-maker option as a next step! (The award was in 2009, for Four British Fantasists.)