“Breweriana” is what collectors of beer-related stuff, call that beer-related stuff they collect. Usually those items consist of bottles, signs, bottle openers, tap handles, etc. This beautiful antique J. Baum safe is from 1908 and was owned by Furniture City Brewing Company. Not one collector in a hundred would have an old brewer’s safe.
Furniture City Brewing was one of the last independent brewers here in Grand Rapids. As far as I can tell they were in business from 1905 to 1919. Old pictures show that their building was a big four story structure. There are still a few Furniture City bottles around, but nothing else that I could find. Incidentally, Grand Rapids was a big beer town a hundred years ago, and the phenomenal growth in our modern local brewers has earned us the title of “Beer City USA” two years in a row.
This antique safe is a perfect size at 32.5”h x 21.5”w x 20”d. It would make a great end table, TV stand or holder of other breweriana. On a scale of 1 to 10 it would get about a 9.5 because its original paint is very interesting and in unusually great condition. The interior is also very nice showing only minor wear. It also came with four very old money pouches bank bags which may have held the brewery’s “beer money”.
There are no immediate plans for this Furniture City Brewing safe. It will be on display at our shop for a few months. I will entertain serious offers from interested buyers.