Item HT 30593 Plaque - 'Milners' 212 Patent Fire-Resisting', Brass, Milner Safe Co., circa 1857

Summary

A brass safe plate or plaque that was once affixed to the Flinders Street Stationmaster's safe. Manufactured by Milner Safe Co., circa 1857.

Milners fire-resistant safes, manufactured in Liverpool, England were once regarded as the best safes in the world.

'The 212 patent from Milner is not just a trademark, it represents a fire-resistant mixture of sand, sawdust and alum crystals that were injected into the sides of the box. During a fire, these contents owing to the chemical reaction of the ingredients were guaranteed not to heat up beyond 212 degrees Fahrenheit.'

Physical Description

Circular brass plaque with text and illustration in relief. Central illustration of the British Coat of Arms (lion and unicorn holding a shield between them with quadrants representing England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland). Beneath the Coat of Arms there is a vignette which includes an image of a phoenix rising from flames around a safe and Poseidon.