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Finding the Value of Antique Murphy's Furniture

February 20, 2018

Value of Murphy Red Cedar Chest of Drawers - cedar chest of drawers cabinetI have a 4 drawer chest of drawers that is made out of cedar, it looks like red cedar to me. The back of it says: MURPHY 151 NSM. The measurements are: 42"H x 32"W x 18"D. It's missing 2 of the drawers, and the other 2 drawers are being used by a friend at the moment, but I was thinking of hiring someone to make the 2 missing drawers because it's a very nice looking piece of furniture, although it does need some refinishing. Is there any way you could give me some kind of estimate (in a format of, "between this amount and this amount, most likely"). Any information would be very helpful. Thank you.

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
February 23, 20181 found this helpful
Best Answer

This would be a valuable piece of furniture if it was in very good condition and had all four drawers but everything that is not original (even refinishing) will reduce the overall value.

  • It will be very difficult for someone to match the wood to make new drawers and I believe you will find that - if you find a skilled cabinet maker - it will probably cost over $100 to have the drawers made.
  • The finish will be difficult because this is not new wood and new drawers would have to be "aged" to match the other parts of the chest.
  • If you are able to get a decent set of drawers made (and the rest of the chest is in very good condition) you could ask $300-$400.
  • If you plan to sell, you should list it on your local Craigslist and start the price at $400 - reduce the price if you do not receive any inquires.
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  • Listing it locally means the interested person could inspect the chest and there would be no shipping involved.
  • Truthfully. seeing the condition and the missing drawers, I would suggest you either use it yourself or maybe a family member needs a nice chest like this.
  • You could always use the 2 drawers at the bottom and make some minor changes and use the top 2 drawer "spaces" as shelves for folded clothing (especially sweaters). Maybe even make them into slide out shelves.
  • Who knows - this conversion may sell better than "made-to-match" drawers.
 
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12 More Questions

Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.

October 13, 2020

Can you tell me a price possibly? I believe it's a full size Murphy's bed. I have a head and foot board. It's got 202 4/6 stamped on it.

Please ignore the discoloration. I've had it in a yard sale and the bottom fell out. How much should I ask for it?

A wooden head and footboard to a bed.
 
A wooden head and footboard to a bed.
 

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
October 13, 20201 found this helpful
Best Answer

I am seeing a bit of damage on the wood frame of the bed which will decrease the value of the set. I read that you had this at a yard sale but were unable to sell this. Your region plays an important role in determining the price of wood furniture. I am not sure how much you were asking but it appears that people in your area are not interested in this type of wood furniture. If you want to try to sell this online you could start off by asking around $150 for the bed headboard and frame. Then you can lower the price if anyone is interested. You will need to tell the person that they must pay the shipping cost because this can be quite expensive.

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If you want to try and sell this in your area you'll need to get an idea about how much wood furniture is selling for. I would check on Craigslist to see what people are asking for this type of furniture. If you don't want to be bothered to try and sell this yourself take it to a consignment store and see what they have to say about the price. it is hard to determine the price in your area and tell you how much it is worth where you live because I don't know where you live. However, you could try starting off at around $100 and tell the person that you'll take the best offer.

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
October 13, 20200 found this helpful
Best Answer

Full size beds are the least popular size beds and you do not have the wood sides/rails that are generally seen with this type wood frame.
What price were you asking at your yard sale? Did you receive any offers? Did you have a large crowd stopping by your sale? Did you advertise your sale?

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I'm asking these questions because this item would be costly to ship so if you post it for sale you will have to list it as 'local pick up only' so this means that you are still trying to sell it as if in a 'yard sale' because the same type of people who attended your sale may be the only ones taking notice of your for sale listing.
If you list it on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, offerup, letgo you could start your price at $150, best offer considered & local pick up only and hopefully, more people will see the ad than attended your sale.
Leave it listed for several weeks and if no offers, lower the price.
This is assuming you can do a good job of cleaning up (and repairing?) these pieces and take some good pictures.

 
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June 11, 2018

I have a tall dresser, long dresser with mirror, and a foot locker all in good condition and would like to get a idea of what they are worth. I have done some research and found the tall dresser and foot locker are around 700 combined, but can't find anything on the long dresser.

Any ideas on the value?

Value of 1940s Murphy Cedar Bedroom Furniture - pieces outside
 
Value of 1940s Murphy Cedar Bedroom Furniture
 
Value of 1940s Murphy Cedar Bedroom Furniture
 
Value of 1940s Murphy Cedar Bedroom Furniture
 
Value of 1940s Murphy Cedar Bedroom Furniture
 

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
June 11, 20180 found this helpful

I would say $200-250.

 

Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
June 13, 20180 found this helpful

This may give you a guide...this site has some vintage cedar dressers for sale with asking prices in the $350 range (NOT EXACT MATCHES but similar). I found an exact match, but the link was broken so I couldn't get any more info.

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So when you click this link use your control and f key to bring up search box and put the word cedar in to find the two that were on there today).

www.kennebecantiques.com/index.html

If you are selling these,you can always say OBO (or best offer) and let the person tell you what they are willing to pay. Sometimes I start things high with a BIG OBO note and hope I get what I really wanted from the item price wise.

Good luck!!

 

Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
June 15, 20180 found this helpful

This is a nice set but not very high in demand so the true sale value will most likely be low. True resale value will probably depend on the type of area where your set is located. The reason being that it would cost almost as much to ship it as the sale price would be so local trade is what you would most likely be looking at.

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  • As a general rule Murphy furniture was on the "small" side compared to other brands of dressers and chest of drawers.
  • But their cedar chests were of comparable size but do not always command as high a price as other brand name cedar chests.
  • I do not know where you found the value of $700 for the two items but that would certainly be a good deal if you could sell them for that price.
  • A good price for the dresser may be around $300-350 but selling it may take a long time.
  • Not very many modern people will even look at this type of furniture (except out of curiously) so the best deal would be for someone wanting "something from the past" and there are less of that crowd than the younger generation.
  • I like to have appraisals done as I usually get a lot of useful information and some of it is surprising.
  • Appraisals also will many times help to sell an item for more money.
  • Here is a link to a list of sites that offer free appraisals so think about completing one or two and see what they tell you.
  • antiques.lovetoknow.com/Free_Antique_Appraisals_Online
  • If you wish to sell these pieces, I would consider selling individual pieces and maybe list on your local Craigslist, LetGo, OfferUp with lots of pictures and measurements.
 
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December 12, 2016

I am looking for information on when the Murphy 86 school desk was manufactured and sold. I have one that was in an old schoolhouse.


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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
December 14, 20160 found this helpful

I have an old school desk but could never find out very much about it so my answer may not help you very much.

There are several style/kinds of old school desks (as you will find if you just Google "old/vintage/antique school desks") and since you did not submit a photo it seems you may have to do some research yourself.

I cannot find a brand/name on my desk so at least you have that much. There are some desks up for sale on eBay so you may be able to find one like yours or at least get some info on value of this type of item.

I also had a web site from my original search that may help:

www.antiquedesks.org.uk/

www.ebay.com/.../vintage-school-desk

www.ebay.com/.../antique-school-desk

 
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April 17, 2016

I have a table and four chairs. The markings say Murphy 336. Can you tell me how much it is worth? It has two leaves and also the sides flip down.


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Bronze Answer Medal for All Time! 220 Answers
April 17, 20160 found this helpful

Antique furniture value relies heavily on original finish, current condition, location, quality etc. You can contact antique dealers in your area, online antique appraisers, etc., for possible values. For example, EBay currently has a Murphy office chair for $95.00.

 
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August 24, 2013

I have a Murphy 202 4/6 bedroom suite, including head and foot board, dresser, a mirrored chest drawers, and 2 night stands. How much is it worth?

By Sounal

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May 11, 20180 found this helpful

I dont have an answer. I have the same bed and would like to know its value also. Is there someone out there who knows?

 
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May 19, 2014

I have a round Queen Ann table with 3 leaves and four chairs. No. 7394 made by the Murphy Chair Co. of Detroit, Mich. Can you tell me the date they were made and value?

By Charlie F.

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September 16, 2013

What is the value of a Murphy cedar bed frame #202-4/6?

By Bowling

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March 24, 2010

I'm trying to find out how old a cedar bed is that was made by Murphy with the numbers on the back 4204-5/0-4/6.

By pam from Crawfordville, FL

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January 22, 2017

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.

Antique Rocking Chair

January 15, 2017

This is a page about finding the value of a Murphy cedar chest. Antique and vintage furniture has not only sentimental value, but sometimes monetary value as well.

Murphy Cedar Chest

January 21, 2017

This is a page about finding the value of a Murphy wardrobes and armoires. These clothes storage cabinets can be a nice piece of bedroom furniture, and valuable to the right person.

Close up leaf pattern detail of a piece of antique wooden furniture.

January 16, 2017

This is a page about finding the value of Murphy chairs. The Murphy furniture company manufactured cedar chests, chairs, and wardrobes from the mid 1940s through the early 2000s. These collectible pieces can still be found today.

dark wood Murphy chair

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