The Aubin Trophy

Just why and when Charles Aubin disposed of this wonderful example of mechanical engineering is a mystery. Papers belonging to Mr. A.C. Hobbs, which formed the basis for a ‘Treatise’ entitled “Construction of Locks and Safes circa 1850” contain the statement “this trophy is now in the possession of Mr. Hobbs”. It can only be assumed that Hobbs purchased the trophy from Charles Aubin after the exhibition closed. The manuscript for the treatise was compiled during 1852/53 and edited by Mr. C. Tomlinson.

Mr. Hobbs, born in Boston, Mass. USA, attended the 1851 Great Exhibition representing the American Lock Makers - Messrs. Day & Newell of New York. He arrived in London some two months before the Exhibition and was the instigator of the great “Lock Controversy” in July of that year.

Following the exhibition he remained in London, setting up Hobbs & Company (registered 1852) to produce American Locks. By 1855 the name had changed to Hobbs, Ashley & Co., soon to become Hobbs, Ashley and Fortescue with an address at 97, Cheapside, London. Hobbs never intended to stay in England and when Ashley died in 1860 he sold the thriving business to J. M. Hart and returned to America. Having stipulated that his name should always head the Company, it became Hobbs, Hart & Company. By 1864, the address was 76, Cheapside, London.

For some reason, Hobbs did not take the ‘Trophy’ to America; perhaps a ’deal’ was made to ensure it remained in England or it may have been part of the Company’s Assets when Mr. Hart purchased the business. It remained at the Cheapside office during the following 96 years.

In 1956 Hobbs Hart & Co. became part of Chubb & Son’s Lock & Safe Co. Ltd. and care of the trophy became Chubb’s responsibility. During the early 1960’s it was moved to their Head Office in London W.1. Following the Racal takeover (1984) the Chubb Lock & Safe Head Office subsequently moved to Wolverhampton in 1987 and the trophy returned to the town where it was originally manufactured. Changes in ownership of the Chubb Group during recent years might have resulted in its loss but this is not the case; although lock and safe production has ceased at Wednesfield Road, Chubb Safes UK still have their administration and sales offices on what remains of the site and the trophy is currently in their care. It is housed in a modified Bankers Safe which doubles as a secure container during transit to exhibitions etc.

In July 2002 the Company were surprised to receive a letter from Mrs. June James, a Great Great Granddaughter of Charles Aubin, explaining that she was researching the family history. Her mother, Mrs. Eileen Jenkins had known the trophy existed but had never seen it and an aunt thought Chubb might be able to help her locate it. As a result the Company were delighted to arrange a personal visit for June, Mrs. Jenkins and a further five direct descendants of Charles Aubin.

Designed and constructed by Mr. Charles Aubin of Wolverhampton for the 1851 Great Exhibition this is without doubt, a unique piece of engineering. One of the many mechanical machines on display, the “Trophy” attracted very little notice at the time, possibly due to the huge publicity caused by the ‘Lock Controversy’ that occurred through July and August that year. The description in the Official Illustrated Catalogue for the exhibition reads as follows:

“Specimens to illustrate the rise and progress of the art of making locks, containing forty-four different movements by the most celebrated inventors in the lock trade”

A hexagonal base supports a central column about 36 inches high. Three circular platforms are horizontally attached to the column at different heights. Each of the vertical faces of the base contains a lock operated by its own key (nos. 38 - 43 in the list of locks). Each circular platform contains a number of locks, 16 on the lowest, 12 on the next and 9 on the top. At the top of the central column is a Bramah lock (no. 44), the crowning glory!

The locks on each platform are arranged so that their bolts shoot outwards or radially away from the axis of the machine. Every lock has its own correct key inserted in the keyhole and attached to the key pin. Since the locks are placed horizontally, the shaft of each key is vertical. Within each of the platforms and the central column is a delicate mechanism of levers, racks and pinions. These are linked to the barrel of the Bramah lock. Operation of this by its key causes horizontal rotation and rotary movement of the vertical rod inside the centre column. At each platform level this rod operates on the racks and pinions and these in turn, act upon the key pins in each lock. Turning the Bramah Key causes all of the key pins and keys to rotate, thus moving all the individual lock bolts simultaneously. Depending on the direction in which the Bramah key is turned, the lock bolts are either thrown or withdrawn.

Each of the forty-four locks is a faithful reproduction of the several patents or mode of construction to which they refer. The lock cases are ‘cut-away’ to provide a view of the principle in each design.