Expert: Terry V Andreasen (Andy) - 12/2/2009

Question
Hello,
I have a large floor model Globe-Wernicke safe made in the early 1900's. The owner referred to the inside safe as a gangster safe. The entire safe measures 63" high, 37.5" wide and 23" deep. I saw your previous answer about the possible asbestos inside. Can you tell me what this might be worth and whether you think the "gangster safe" is a part of the larger safe? Thanks in advance of any information you can provide.

Answer
Annette,

Very interesting, you have two separate safes here!!!!  I would like to see a few more interior photos of the interior chest to try to narrow down a date for you.  Also if there are any reference numbers on the chest or interior of the chest.

The first of course is the Globe-Wernicke fire resistive container; the second is a Baum Jeweler’s chest.  These manufactures were in no way related, so this chest would have been added at a later date.

History:
GLOBE-WERNICKE (mfgd safes from 1911 to 1917)
  The Globe-Wernicke Company was formed sometime between 1899-1904 (two dates found) when Otto Wernicke, owner of Wernicke Furniture Co., Grand Rapids, acquired the Globe Company of Cincinnati.  Wernicke also acquired the Fred Macey Co., of Grand Rapids which also made book cases.  Globe-Wernicke was forced into receivership in 1932 because of the Great Depression.  It emerged from receivership in 1934.  In 1963 the company acquired the Weis Manufacturing Co and became Globe-Weis.  After several other mergers, Globe-Weis became part of Cardinal Brands in 2000.
  Globe-Wernicke together with its predecessor companies had engaged in the manufacture and sale of office furniture, sectional bookcases, files and equipment for many years but did not manufacture safes (similar to Safe-Cabinet safes) prior to February 1911.  The safes were practically identical to those manufactured by the Safe Cabinet Company, with the exception that they were labeled “Globe Cabinet Safe”.   
January 31, 1914, Ohio Court of Appeals – Safe-Cabinet Company v. Globe-Wernicke Company.  Lawsuit filed against Globe-Wernicke for manufacturing similar products and attempting to mislead the public and customers in believing that these were the same product.
The main contention of the lawsuit was centered around the perceptive appearance of the two safes and the use of the names “Safe-Cabinet” and “Cabinet Safe”.  The court found that prior to the manufacture of the safes, a safe manufactured by the “Safe-Cabinet Company” had been purchased by Globe, taken to its factory and dissected, with instructions from Otto Wernicke to manufacture an article as near like it as possible in such a way as to take in the file case units made by Globe-Wernicke, AND not infringe on the patent of the Safe-Cabinet Company.  The Court found in favor of the Safe-Cabinet Company.
April 16, 1917 circuit court of Appeals, Second Circuit.  Globe-Wernicke attempted to overturn the previous ruling, but the court of appeals upheld the ruling.

J. BAUM SAFE & LOCK COMPANY  (1916 to mid 1920’s)
  The J. Baum Safe & Lock was organized May 26th 1916 to succeed the Baum Safe Company, established in 1893 to succeed the Warth-Baum Safe & Lock Company.  J. Baum bought out all Warth’s interests in the company in 1903.  Warth-Baum Safe & Lock Company was organized around 1870.  The predecessor company was the Warth Safe Company.

Value:
Globe-Wernicke cabinet safe
Fire & Burglary      $0   This safe does not meet current fire or burglary standards and should not be used for overnight storage of cash, jewelry or valuable documents
Resale         $250-$350   Because of its age and the possibility that it does have asbestos, it has a very limited market.  Its best use would be as a flammable storage locker for paints, chemicals, etc.
Antique value:      $0   This safe is not over 100 years old and is not an antique.
Collectible value:   $0   Even though this safe is over 50 years old, it is not considered a collectible.  It was basically office furniture for record storage.

Baum Jewelers Chest
Fire & Burglary      $0   This safe does not meet current fire or burglary standards and should not be used for overnight storage of cash, jewelry or valuable documents
Resale         $750-$1000
Antique Value:      $1000-$1200   (assuming it is open and in operating condition).

Andy

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Annette,

sorry to disappoint you, but there is no such thing as a "ganster safe".  This is just some "slang" the previous owner made up to make the safe seem more appealing to potential buyers!

Globe-Wernicke only manufactured "FIRE" safes between 1911-1917.  They were a competitor to the Safe Cabinet Company.  Even though their contention, in a Patent Infringment lawsuit filed by the Safe Cabinet Company, was to manufacture as similar as possible without infringing on the Safe Cabinet Companies patent, a 1914 Ohio Court ruled that they had infact copied the other manufacure.  Globe-Wernicke continued to manufacture their safes during their appeals process, which they lost in April of 1917.  I don't have a date that they ceased manufacturing safes, but I also haven't found anything after the 1917 date.

Note:  They manufactured FIRE safes.  I would need to see pics of your interior safe to determine exactly what you have.  Your safe may not even be a true Globe-Wernicke safe, it may be another manufacture with their label.

Yes Globe-Wernicke used asbestos, but unless it is leaking out and you plan on breathing it, I really wouldn't worry about it.  Clean any loose white powder up with a wet wrag and dispose of it.  Seal any cracks that this powder may be coming from with a silicone sealant and don't worry about it anymore.  Ignore the crackpot "ECONAZIS"!!!!  These people would have you believe that getting out of bed is dangerous, but if you stay in bed its dangerous also!

Your interior chest may have been added or your safe may not be a G-W.

Send me some pictures so that I can answer your question.

In order to identify, evaluate or appraise your safe, I'm going to need photos.  They should include full exterior and interior.  Detail photos should include pictures of the dial, handles, hinges, artwork, locks, bolt work, castors, cabinetry and any special details or damage.  Note:  You may have to remove the back panel on the door to gain access to the lock & bolt work – I will need these pics.  If you have a particular detail that you have a question about, I will need a photo of it.

Please use as high a resolution as possible.  Pictures which are low resolution, out of focus, or from a distance don’t help when we try to evaluate the container.  Note:  with higher resolution, you may only be able to send 2-4 pictures per email, depending on the size of the file.  If photos are larger than 2mb each, you may only be able to send two per email.

Please send all of the requested photos to:  andy@securitysafeusa.com

Our informal evaluation is at no charge, however if you need a formal evaluation or appraisal for insurance, estate sales, or to establish it as an antique, there is an administrative fee for this service.

Andy