No Storage Wars, But Your Chance for a Safe-Deposit Treasure

OLYMPIA – Nov. 3, 2014 – The contents of hundreds of unclaimed safe deposit boxes will be auctioned over two days this month.

Jewelry, coins, stamps and other collectibles are among the 2400 items that James G. Murphy, Inc. will auction on Nov. 19 and 20 at its Kenmore facility, 18226 N.E. 68^th Ave. The auction will run each day until all lots slated for bid that day are sold.

Bidders can preview the items in person Nov. 17-18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They can also glance at the online auction catalogue at http://murphyauction.com/.

Among the lost treasures is a sketchbook believed to be from famed artist Pablo Picasso. Although the sketchbook has not been authenticated, it could generate significant collector interest.

All of these items have been turned over to the Washington State Department of Revenue after financial institutions lost touch with owners and rental fees went unpaid for a period of time. State law requires Revenue to auction off the contents if the owners haven’t been found within five years of receipt.

Revenue holds the cash proceeds, minus auction and bank fees, in the safe deposit box owner’s name should the owner or an heir come forward to claim the proceeds.

Each year, Revenue also receives stocks and bonds, rebate checks, savings and checking accounts, insurance claim proceeds, utility deposits and payroll checks that have been dormant for several years.

Revenue is currently holding more than $1 billion in unclaimed funds. Visit claimyourcash.org regularly to check for a possible claim.