Expert: Mike Palmer - 10/19/2009

Question
Hi, I live in a house that used to be a post office, it has a safe that was made by Frederick Whitfeild and Co London. I don't seem to be able to find any info about this company or how much the safe may be worth. Could you direct me to someone in the UK who may beable to help and possibly give me a valuation.

Answer
The company was founded in 1840 under the name Samuel Whitfield.  In 1867 the Company was still owned by Samuel Whitfield, but by 1876 the sons Samuel and Frederic had come into the firm and it was then known as Samuel Whitfield & Sons, of Viaduct Works, Oxford Street, Birmingham.

By the 1880s Samuel Whitfield had died and his son Frederic took control of the Company, then to be called F. Whitfield & Co.

They continued to make fairly low grade book safes throughout the First and Second World Wars but generally the Whitfield safes one encounters usually date back to the late 1800's or early 1900's.  Consequently they tend to be of obsolete design, have no modern anti explosive devices nor facilities to anchor it them the floor.  They will not appear on any insurance company's list of approved safes.  Although I have a Fred Whitfied safe plate in my collection, I have never been able find a piece of literature describing their products.

As for value, it is hard to say.  The safe has no commercial worth, either  as a cash or a document safe due to its age and obsolete design.  However, if it is in particularly good condition a private buyer may be attracted to it.  I suggest that if you advertise it, you state that the buyer collects as the cost of transporting it would probably be more than it is worth.

My best advice is to restore the paintwork, polish up the brass plate and keep it as an interesting curio or drinks cabinet.

I hope this helps,

Mike Palmer FSyI
Insurance Liaison Coordinator
Guardian Safes Limited