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Expert: - 12/8/2009


Question
We are interested in selling a safe that has been in our family and are curious as to it's worth. It is 18 X 18 X 28. Black with the following printed on the door: Hercules Fireproof Safe Co. Bloomingdale Bros. New York, NY. There is also a seascape painting above the lettering. And above the door on the frame are the words George Vanderbuilt. Please advise as to its value and how we can sell it. Thank you!

Answer
Diane

Hercules was a "brand name" made by the Meilink Safe company.  Bloomingdale Brothers opened in 1872 as a general merchandise company.  Bloomingdale's didn't become a "department store until 1876, and they incorporated around 1920.
As Meilink didn't begin building safes until 1899, this would tend to indicate that your safe would have been built between 1899-1920 if it has the Hercules and Bloomingdale Bros. labels.

George Vanderbuilt may have been an original owner.  You would have to do your own research on George Vanderbuilt to determine when he was around and if the safe actually belonged to him.  Without documentation or photographs it is just a name on a safe!  You may also want to verify the spelling of the the name Vanderbuilt or Vanderbilt, this may help you with your research.

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 and bolt work -  I will need these pictures.  If you have a particular detail that you have a question about, i will need a photo of it also.

Please use as high a resolution as possible.  Pictures which are “thumbnails” or 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.  Our server only will allow a max of 6 mb per email.

Please send all of the requested photos to;   Andy@securitysafeusa.com

Our informal valuation 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.

You would sell your safe like any other item you would sell - garage sale, advertising, ebay, craigslist etc.  If your safe is an antique then you may want to contact antique dealers, or provide potential buyers with a flyer.

Andy

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Terry V Andreasen (Andy)

Expertise

Safe and Vault related Questions; Antique Safe Repair and Restoration; With over 40 years in the Safe & Vault industry, if I can't answer your question I know where to get the answer. Current Project: Restoration of two Tilton & McFarland Safes from the 1860's. Will answer Safe & Vault related questions concerning age, value, restoration, moving, opening & repairing, parts, operation and history. Note: It is not my intention to teach you to open safes or to provide information which may aid in the unlawful opening of a safe. I will not give out drill points or information which I deem inappropriate.

Experience

40 years in the Safe & Vault Industry. Service Manager for one of the largest Safe & Vault companies on the West Coast. Graduate of Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing, Safe lock Manipulation and Safe Deposit Lock Courses. Graduate of Locksmith Institute. Certified Instructor for the California Locksmith Association teaching Basic and Advanced Lock Servicing, Basic Safe opening and Repairing. Factory Trained by AMSEC, LORD Safes, LeFebure, Mosler, KabaMas, LaGard and Sargent & Greenleaf

Organizations
Safecrackers International and the National Antique Safe Association

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Locksmith Institute 1972 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Servicing 1974 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Lock Manipulation 1975 Graduate Lockmasters Safe Deposit Lock Servicing 1985 Instructor Certified - California Locksmith Association - 1985 Factory trained by AMSEC, MAJOR, STAR, Johnson-Pacific, Kaba-MAS, Allied-Gary, ISM, Lord, Brown Safe, EXL, Mosler, Diebold.

Awards and Honors
2009, 2010 & 2011 Listed in AllExperts top 50 Experts. All Experts Categories - Safes & Security Containers, Locksmithing, Antique Safes. Retired US Army Reserve Chief Warrant Officer (CW3), with 32 years of total service. With numerous awards from Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. US Navy - 1971-1981 US Army Reserve 1984-2006 US Army Retired Reserve 2006-present

Past/Present Clients
US Secret Service, FBI, BATF, Local Law enforcment agencies, Diebold, Hamilton Pacific, Red Hawk Int., Chubb International, Bank of America, Wells Fargo Bank, Mechanics Bank, El Dorado Savings Bank, many Credit unions and smaller banks. McDonalds, Togos, BurgerKing, TacoBell, Carls Jr. FoodMaxx, SaveMart, Lucky's, Albertson's, Raley's, Safeway, NobHill, Bell Markets, PW Markets. Great America, Century Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, UA Cinemas, and many homeowners and small businesses. Provide warranty service for lock and safe manufactures. Service area is Northern California - Fresno to Oregon, including western Nevada

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