Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I am just wondering about this chair that I have owned for 5 plus years.
Value of items like this are difficult to state as you need a fairly recently sold item of identical (or very close) brand/condition/location.
Of course, you may never find one like yours so you just have to go with 'similar' items.
Right now, it seems the only single Murphy chairs selling very often are office style chairs - usually swivel.
Numbers on this type of furniture do not always mean very much as so many of these companies did not keep the best records and if they were ever available, no one seems to have access to them now. This just means you have to go by the style and features of the item.
I believe this style chair was sometimes called 'shaker style' as well as ladder back but usually without upholstery bottom.
You might find some useful information on previous questions/answers on this subject:
www.thriftyfun.com/
I believe this chair has been listed for sale since before 12/2019 but not sold.
The condition of such furniture means a lot as most people are not looking for this type to refurbish - unless paying $5 at a yard sale.
You can join this site and post pictures to see if anyone has any knowledge about this particular chair. You should provide better pictures and also your location as shipping can be expensive for pieces of furniture.
instappraisal.com/
if you want to try your hand at selling,you might want to try Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, offerup, letgo or any other sites you're familiar with. List it as 'pick up only'.
Start your price higher ($75-100) and lower it if no one shows an interest. You'll need good pictures and an honest description.
I found a Murphy straight back chair without arms that I will be refinishing. I will not be selling it, but am curious about its age.
The code on the bottom is 294. It was manufactured, according to the template, in Owensboro, KY.I have not found anything pertaining to #294 but I do have some general information on Murphy chairs.
You can click on some of the photos that look like your chair and there MAY be some information pertaining to that chair - this will be a "trial and error" search.
example/photos of Murphy chairs:
www.google.com/
www.google.com/
General information about company:
www.justcollecting.com/
I have used these sites before but it takes time to figure out how to ask questions and upload photos but their answers seem to be correct.
Web sites that offer free appraisals:
www.instappraisal.com/
Example of appraisal
en.allexperts.com/
What is the value of an antique Murphy's swivel office chair in fair condition? The serial number is 287.
By John F.
When checking prices on ebay, always check the sold items. Even then, there could be a large difference in sold prices as it depends on how many people want to bid on the item.
I am looking for information on a chair marked - (Murphy 892) Unincorporated Owensboro, KY.
I am not finding this exact chair listed for sale on the few sites I have checked so far. However, I did find a good site that should give you a free appraisal on the chair and tell you the history of the chair.
I want to know the value of a Murphy chair #2231. It has a secret draw under the seat and is in excellent condition.
It is definitely over $100. I would also consult a dealer for a processional opinion.
This is very cool! It has me intrigued.
I have seen two kinds of chairs with secret drawers like this and this one does not seem to meet either standard:
One is a sewing chair (which this could be--the backs are usually shorter than a dining chair and the angle of the photo makes it hard to tell if it is or not).
The other is a nursing rocker, which this isn't since it appears to have straight legs, not rockers.
Is it marked The Murphy Chair Company or is it marked Murphy as in a store named Murphy?
If it is The Murphy Chair Company, perhaps you can call them--they still exist--and see if they can help you date it and give you more information on what it is. Their number is (313) 335-1690.
Many Murphy Chair Company chairs still have value--their vintage rockers and bank chairs can still command several hundred dollars in some markets.
This chair is unique enough, that I recommend you get as much information as you can so you can figure out a value.
I could give you generals, but since this is something unique, I don't want to steer you in the wrong direction.
You could take it to a reputable vintage/antique dealer and have them look at it and give you their opinion of what it is and the value for your town.
It is important to know that all furniture values are regional and are based on supply and demand. This means it could be valued as something that would sell in your town for several hundred dollars, but in my town, if there is a glut of them on the market, it could be valued in the low teens. Yes, the market is that varied!
Post back what you learn!! Looking forward to learning more.
This is a very unusual chair with a secret draw under the seat. The chair looks like it is worth $150+ but I am no expert at all. I would contact an antique shop and get a second opinion.
I'm not really sure a company made chairs with a slide out drawer but of course it is possible but I cannot figure out for what purpose?
Sewing chairs usually were smaller; some had wheels and some did not but the sewing compartments were usually always under the raise up seat.
I think it is possible the drawer was added by a DIY project such as this one:
www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/
It would be helpful if you show the side of the chair with drawer closed as well as a full front picture of the chair. Measurements would help determine if it was a sewing or bedroom chair or side/dining chair.
A picture of the label and the under side of the chair with the drawer and without the drawer would also help.
I know this is a lot of trouble but true research cannot be done without more information and pictures.
Early Murphy chairs usually had a metal tag stating their name but later chairs had different labels and I think some later 'reproductions' had paper tags.
www.ebay.com/
You can try contacting someone at these sites to see if they can help you with identifying and valuing your chair.
instappraisal.com/
It's at 1950s 1960s singers sewing machine sewing chair with sewing storage.
I have a nice pink upholstered arm chair, that is like new, from an estate. There is a minor scratch on a rear lower portion of one back leg only. How can I find the approximate value?
I'm not sure the original Murphy Company made this style chair but curiously there are some chairs (and other items) showing up for sale that are new items but I believe it is another company that is using the name.
There is very little actual information about the furniture but quite a bit about the company and its owners.
Here are a couple of links that have a lot of information (but no hint of values) but a lot about the company (long articles). Both sites offer appraisals but probably do charge no matter what they say.
www.instappraisal.com/
www.justanswer.com/
Hoping to date these chairs, which are marked Murphy Chair Co Detroit MI, guessing pre 1919. I think they are caboose chairs.? Chairs are marked 269.
This similar chair is dated 1900. You need an account to see what it sold for. www.worthpoint.com/
Murphy was a continuation of the firm of C.H. Dunks, an early Detroit manufacturer of bed springs. It was purchased in 1872 by Michael J. Murphy, a Canadian originally born in Sarnia, Ontario. Two years later he switched to manufacturing chairs. This company moved to Owensboro Kentucky around November of 1919.
The Murphy chairs were manufactured in Detroit from 1874 to 1919.
I found a chair with the same label, it dates back to around 1900s www.bargainjohn.com/
In the late late 1800s, a metal plate / tag was used with the inscription Murphy Detroit Mich instappraisal.com/
Your chairs really look like caboose chairs. www.varagesale.com/
Use of cabooses began in the 1830s.
Caboose chair "was first designed for the Union Pacific Railroad and was put into every caboose on every train. Specifically made to withstand abuse, this is one of the strongest chairs made. And also these chairs are made by highly skilled craftsman with dedication and experience that makes this a must have item. And lastly, this is available in different woods and finishes." www.restaurantseating.com/
This chair is sometimes called a Saloon Chair, Saloon Caboose Chair or a Railroad Caboose Chair.
I think chairs with a label like yours were made in the 1880s, but I'm not sure.
Sometimes these chairs are called Victorian Oak Desk Chair Or Captains Chair www.antiques-atlas.com/
The price of one chair is approximately $ 200-225 www.ebay.com/
I wonder the value of 5 chairs I got from my mother years ago. On the bottom of the chair on the side it says Murphy Owensboro KY 370. As far as I can tell they were never refurbished, all original. They do not have claw feet and the top of the back rest is straight across.
Thank you for any information I get collect on them!
I don't see any photos so it is hard to determine what you have based just on the description.
If your chairs match any of these sold chairs, that would be today's current market value:
www.ebay.com/
If they match unsold versions, you can gauge that the asking prices were too high and you can watch to see if they were relisted and what they eventually sold for or if they sold.
Some of these chairs have held their value, some not. Condition is key to the higher values.
Post back if you sell and what the buyer paid so others have an idea of the current market value in your area. Thanks!
it all depends on the market and demand of course but chairs such as this can fetch at least $250 in the proper antiques context, perfect condition, etc.
I have a vintage (I think) Murphy oak chair with 5 slats in the back.
The chairs may be worth $25 each.
Usually Murphy furniture is described as "mid-century" because no one is sure about when any particular pieces was made.
I am trying to find any information on a Murphy 450 wooden chair I can't see all of the logo. I didn't know it was there until I started stripping it.
This one is asking $245, but it is in better shape. www.ebay.com/
What is the value of a Murphy #263 swiveling desk chair?
According to this website, the value is $75.
www.instappraisal.com/
Do I have a Murphy chair? It is a mid-century modern traditional lounge arm chair. My chair has open arms with only one upper arm brace. The lower leg brace has curved or bowed outside leg brace and straight lower back brace. It also has a metal Murphy Chair Co. tag. Could this be an authentic Murphy chair and if so, approximate value?
By Pat
if your chair is marked murphy, there is no reason to think it's not a murphy. there would be little reason for someone to put a false marking on such a piece.
I've got two matching wooden chairs with seal and patent stamp. ?? #3091 or #5091 possibly.
By Jim K. from Appleton, WI
Vintage furniture may have notable value. Finding out this information is useful for restoration plans or future sale. Finding the value of a Murphy rocking chair.
