I'd love to know when my little rocker was made and what it is worth today! Thanks.
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Your chair has Murphys Detroit label. I found information about this:
'The Murphy company was formed by Canadian businessman Michael Murphy in 1872, when he purchased the C. H. Dunks company of Detroit company. C.H. Dunks had originally been a mattress manufacturer, but Murphy converted the firm over to upholstered furniture production. The company had modest beginnings, with only five employees, but rapidly expanded. Products made by Murphy were marked with decal labels that used the original Detroit address until 1919.'
You have a Sewing Rocking Chair manufactured by Murphy Chair Co., Detroit, Michigan in the late 1800s - early 1900s (before 1919).
Your armchair is armless, so you have a LADIES Murphy Rocking Chair.
"Manly" Murphy rocker chairs had arms
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I found a similar antique Ladies Murphy Rocking Chair made in Detroit, model #313
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You can use a free trial to see the worth.
Another Murphy Armless Sewing Rocking Chair for $425, but it was made in Owensboro Kentucky, the highest bid was $35 (in 2021).
Murphy Oak Rocking Chair with arms, but made in Detroit too was sold for $27.50
idahoauctionbarn.hibid.com/
You Murphy Chair was made in Detroit (it is written on the maker's mark). The Murphy chairs were made in Detroit in the period 1874-1919.
The model 109.
Another Murphy rocking chair #109
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It could be worth $200, but it depends on demand.
Vintage Murphy Chair Co. Wood Rocking Chair, marked to the bottom "Murphy Chair Company, No 613, Detroit, Mich." was sold for $14
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In 1907 Murphy moved from Detroit to Kentucky. Your chair is at least 115 years old, which makes it an antique. I would check with a dealer to get a better idea of what it is worth.
1874(1875)-1919
In 1919 Murphy moved from Detroit to Owensboro Kentucky.
"In 1872, Canadian, Michael Murphy acquired bed spring maker CH Dunks. Two years later he switched to manufacturing chairs and enjoyed such success that by 1890 he constructed a new factory on 15 acres of land at Harper Avenue and the Grand Trunk Railroad. By 1915, the Murphy Chair Company was reputed to be the largest chair manufacturer in the world with a four story factory and 1,000 workers capable of producing 7,000 chairs a day.
Other answers about value:
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A similar oak Murphy Slipper Rocking chair circa 1900 is listed for $225:
www.bargainjohn.com/
Your antique chair is valuable & will need to have it professionally appraised.
Your chair may be called by several names - ladies' bedroom rocker, nursing rocker, slipper rocker. it was made before 1919 when the Murphy Company moved their plant from Michigan.
I could not find any sold chairs like yours so if you wish to sell your rocker you would have to test out your area as it would need to be listed as 'pick up only'. Shipping would be expensive, but still, someone may pay for shipping.
I would say to start with a higher price - maybe $500 - and accept offers.
If you receive no offers after several weeks, then lower the price and wait again.
List on sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Posh Mark.
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