Hassan Badawi, the king of ancient treasures

Hassan Badawy, the King of Old Safes

Safes are secrets that keep secrets, closed tales within themselves, carrying caves of imagination inside. Some are magical, opened by a secret word similar to your email password, and some require a spoken phrase like "Open Sesame" in fantasy books. Yet, this fantasy has become reality.

There are now voiceprint safes, for "safes" is a word associated with anything valuable that needs protection. Over time, these items are passed on to the paradise of history, filled with secrets. Some people love to bury their secrets deep in wells, far from sight, so their treasure remains hidden. But the interest is no longer just in the treasure.

It's also in the safe that keeps the treasure out of sight. "The Five Senses" met one of the enthusiasts of collecting old safes, Hassan Badawy, the owner of the first gallery displaying safes, dating back to 1936. He inherited from his father and ancestors the love of safes.

Speaking about his hobby of collecting safes, Badawy says: "I own a world of secrets in the form of closed iron boxes. Safes are a mythical cave that has existed since ancient times. The first to introduce them to Egypt were the Jews, and my father had friends among them. The merchant 'Lalu,' whose father dealt in old furniture through auctions and old pashas, was one of them. The pashas and kings used to change their furniture annually, whether through auctions or palaces."

"It was common for exchanges to happen between the large palaces. One day, Lalu suggested to my father that he make two safes for him to sell along with the furniture. When they were sold, my father would receive the payment. This trade was called 'trust goods' at that time."

"My father accepted the two safes, which Lalu had brought from outside Egypt. When they were sold, Lalu offered more, and my father asked him to buy any quantity he had or could gather. This was in 1936."

Revolution Safes

He adds: "In 1952, my father was commissioned by the members of the Egyptian Revolution to supply them with safes to store the files and documents of the July 23rd Revolution. My father began collecting safes from Lalu and from auctions. Lalu also collected them from churches and old goods."

"Safes were neither a craft nor a trade at that time. But as demand grew in Egypt, railway workshops and private workshops began manufacturing safes, although the majority were still imported from abroad."

"Especially modern safes, which contain digital codes, cylinders, voiceprint safes, and eyeprint safes. The most famous of these is the voiceprint safe, which is not widely used in Egypt but is common in banks."

Types of Safes

Badawy continues: "Since I was in elementary school with my siblings, we used to help our father in the workshop. We would listen to the history of safes as our father told it. One of the most famous and oldest safes, which is considered a historical masterpiece, is the 'Fauchon.' It’s a French-made safe, regarded as one of the finest, and is popular among businessmen who place them in their mansions and villas."

"It is considered a piece of art because it resembles a 'commode' found in bedrooms. It opens with complex magical numbers, and its price ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 pounds, dating back 100 years. English safes, however, were preferred by gold traders. It was impossible to find a jewelry store without an 'English Mills' safe due to its size."

"Its spaciousness and color system were ideal for jewelers, while German safes are widely known. They are sought after by those wishing to store important documents. Their keys have two wings, and if broken, the safe cannot be reopened. The price starts at 15,000 pounds."

"In our gallery, we have various safes like the 'English Eschert,' which is over 100 years old, the 'Birmingham' English safe, the 'Chamba,' weighing a ton, the 'John Town,' the 'Chanut,' and the 'Austrian Knife Key,' along with other types from Korea, the US, and Austria."

Digital Safes

Hassan Badawy defines the characteristics his clients seek in their safes, saying: "The safe is chosen based on demand, and its selection is determined by its use, size, and space. Their dimensions range from 40 cm to 2 meters. However, the main factor in determining the price is the safety features it offers. For example, digital safes come with codes and can only be opened by the person who purchases them. These are among the most expensive types. The size and the heaviness of the metals used in their construction are other factors in setting their price, as well as the country of origin."

"The larger the safe, the higher the price. The age of the safe depends on its use and where it is kept. For example, humid areas can affect the safe, so the farther it is from moisture, the longer its lifespan. However, environmental factors like dust can also affect it to some extent."

Opening Safes

"It’s not as easy to open a safe as it is in the movies. You can’t open a coded safe without its combination. A key safe may take hours to open with any tool, and you can’t open it without melting the metal itself. Its heaviness also makes it difficult to move, adding to its security. Safes have evolved as means of protecting valuables, and no safe can be opened without a police report. This law was enacted due to the frequent thefts of safes."

Safe Clients

Badawy says that since childhood, his safe clients were pashas and kings, especially during the 1940s and 1950s. By the 1980s, the main clients were 'carton' traders, mainly vegetable, fruit, or scrap traders, while the demand among the wealthy class decreased because the large safe had been replaced by the 'Visa Card.'

"But companies still request them."

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Hassan Badawi, the king of ancient treasures

Hassan Badawy, the King of Old Safes

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