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I had one of these when I was living abroad. The knob doesn't turn, you use the key to unlock the door. the knob is just a place to put your hand when pushing the door.

Ditto, here. These are extremely common in France. They don't turn; they're just for pulling and pushing the door open and closed.

Holy Cow! I remember seeing these on an old (early 70's) TV program called, "A Family Affair." With Buffy and Jody and the butler Mr. French. When I was around 4 or 5 years old, I was mesmerized by the center placed door knobs and thought they were a major design innovation. I have never seen them used and have always wondered if they were functional.
Thanks for the pic's!

These were very common for upscale homes in the midcentury - Door-knob manufacturers made extra-long latches so that the knobs could be mounted in the center of the doors.

That makes sense- I was wondering how hard it would be to open the doors.

Not a big fan

My next door neighbor had a door with a centered knob and as cool as i thought it was....i hated it. it made opening the heavy door much more difficult for my undeveloped pre-pubescent muscles.

They're too shiny, me thinks. I think the doors and knobs should be old.

Centered doorknobs can even be seen in some of the illustrations for "Eloise", first published in 1955. They'd take some getting used to, but I think they look rather sophisticated.

I have an identical door to my apartment in Spain. They are really common here, and in fact, my Spanish husband asked my why all the doorknobs in North America are over on the side.

Aesthetically, the strength of the dark wood and weight of the ornate central knob grows on you after awhile. The caveman in you comes out. "See my door. Big strong door. I am IMPORTANT"

We have of these in our current home (Australia). The door was one of the only things we left unchanged when we renovated the place.

I agree with Gaditana, they do grow on you after a while :)

You see them alot in 1930's movies--the ones with the highly styled Art Deco sets.

i love it, though i think it is a bit overwhelming with so many doors together.

there was a picture in domino of a blue door with a silver knob in the middle just like those. that is my dream door.

I've noticed these in London and Paris and love them! Does anyone know if there is a specific name for the centered door knob placement?