Expert: Terry V Andreasen (Andy) - 6/10/2011

Question
The buyer of my home does not want the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Expo Victor floor safe that is in my basement.  I do not know the weight of it, but it is very heavy (probably more than 300 pounds). I am wondering if it is worth moving it in terms of expense and whether it has any fire/burglar resistant properties.

Answer
Sally,

Heavy is a "relative" term, for me Heavy doesn't start until around 3000 lbs.  500-3000 would be medium weigh and below 500 is light weight.

While I understand that you don't have the capabilities to move 300 lbs up the stairs, most safe companies should be able to do this fairly easily.

The Louisiana Purchase Expo logo on the safe was for advertising purposes, and was used from after the Expo until the early 1920's.  Victor was awarded the Grand Prize for their "display" at the Expo, not any individual safe.  What this does mean is that your safe would have been manufactured at some time during this period - between 1905-1927.

Generally these safes were fire resistive only and not burglary resistant.  Safes over 50 years old do NOT meet the standards for fire resistance and should not be used for overnight storage of cash, jewelry or valuable documents.

These safes are collectible, and the smaller "personal" safes are the most sought after because they are easier to move around, than their 1500-3000 lb big brothers!
These smaller safes make great conversation pieces, decorator pieces or as a display piece.

I would need to see the safe to evaluate it and give you a potential value, but I many of these safes in good condition are valued between $500 to $1000.  Restoration will improve the value.

Check with a local safe company (not a locksmith) to see what they would charge you to remove it from the basement.  Cost may be in the $300-$500 range so don't be shocked, but if the new buyer doesn't want the safe, you may be forced into removing it regardless.  If you have to pay to have it moved, you might as well keep it.

In order to answer questions, 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 along with your question.
I will also need to see any documentation that you have in regards to your safe.  If your safe has a unique historical perspective, you should be able to document this with letters, newspaper articles or photos, if not it is simply a story and will have no bearing on the value of your safe.

Please use as high a resolution as possible so that I can examine details of your safe.  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, I have a 6mb limit per email.  If photos are larger than 2mb each, you may only be able to send two per email, requiring several emails.

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

Note:  As I am in the field several days each week, covering a huge service area, I may not get back to your photos immediately, but I will respond as soon as I get an opportunity.

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

Andy