Giving up on a search for a spectacular novelty apartment key, we decided to venture into J & M Hardware over on West 21st Street (a True Value Hardware store west of Ten's Cabaret). It is the sort of place that 21st Century Manhattanites who are looking for specialty items would avoid visiting.

Expecting to find the ordinary, we were delighted when we stumbled across a set of smooth guitar keys fit for a rock star. There are three guitar styles to choose from. Each key is decorated on both sides with a quality heavy enamel coating, certain to last a long time.