I have a few pieces of furniture that I've considered selling, including a hope chest with Murphy 4250 stamped on the back. I'm hoping someone knows what it might be worth? Any information / history about the brand in general and/or the model # specifically would really be appreciated!
Murphy is a good name brand for furniture and also for hope chests. Today young girls no longer are interested in buying a hope chest for the future and starting to save for the day they get married. That seems to be a long past tradition and not one that was carried on after the 1980s or so. I know my mom was into this when I was growing up and thought it was necessary to have one but I disagreed with her on this one.
People are still interested in buying these but not for hope chest but to store blankets in or other items. On average the basics sales price a person gets when selling one of these is $135 to $150 tops. I know people say you can get more for these but when you look at the ones that have sold most people are only making $135 and still need to pay the PayPal fees.
You're correct about there being a lot of confusion about the numbers on the Murphy Cedar chests as they may or may not relate to the year of manufacture.
Cedar chests are slow sellers but usually sell for several hundred dollars when they sell.
Here is a copy of a comment made in 2018 in answer to someone about a particular chest. This listing had been posted for a while before this comment was made and this is 2 years later and the chest has not sold.
"Here is a nice chest that has been listed (and relisted) for some time but you may want to place a watch on it to see if it sells.
There is a lot of information in some of the past postings:
www.thriftyfun.com/
www.thriftyfun.com/
www.thriftyfun.com/
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have a cedar chest that has Murphy 20 on the back and it has a drop down shelf in it. What is it worth?
There is one on eBay going for $200. Also on chairish.com Murphy chest are offered at $300 to $600. Its a lovely piece!
Just keep in mind the asking price is not the price that people sell these for. Most cedar chest asking price is quite high and can range anywhere from $200-600.
It is in very good condition. I am hoping to find out what it is worth.
All cedar chests have a serial number that doubles as the manufacturing date. If you see a number such as 04140 inside the chest this would mean it was manufactured on April 1, 1940. This will help you to determine how old the chest is and give you a better idea as to the value of your chest. Furthermore, the condition and style of the chest play an important factor in determining the actual price of your chest.
My wife has a Murphy cedar chest that I am fixing to redo. On the back it just has Murphy and #19. I haven't taken out everything from inside yet.
I am trying not to. The inside is in great shape.
On eBay this chest ranges from $175 to $450. Also this consignment link has one- www.chairish.com/
Cedar chests are not fast moving items as very few people are interested in owning one anymore. The most popular time for cedar chests was when they were known as 'hope chests' and that term no longer means anything to most people.
ThriftyFun receives a lot of questions about cedar chests so maybe you can find some of the answers from previous postings helpful in your search.
I hope you are just interested in the age (curious) and plan to redo the outside for your wife to keep in your family.
"There is a statement from a family member of the Murphy Cedar Chest company on a Thrifty fun site that states the following:
"Hi; My name is Lawson Murphy. My family manufactured cedar chests from 1946-2004. We shut down manufacturing due to Chinese competition. "
www.thriftyfun.com/
www.ebth.com/
Here is a link to a chest like yours that sold for $72 in 2017.
Looks very nice.
www.ebth.com/
There are very few Murphy chests listed for sale right now and I have not seen any evidence of any being sold in several months so I do not feel there is any way to state what the value would be.
Recently my sister in law passed away and we are trying to settle her estate, as well as her mother's. Could someone help us with an estimated value for this 4045 Murphy Chest?
It is in really good condition and I am just trying to help my brother out as much as I can. Thank you.
This Murphy cedar chest is listed for $450.
www.ebay.com/
This will give you an idea of different chests for sale on ebay:
www.ebay.com/
In 2018 this chest was auctioned and sold for $35:
www.liveauctioneers.com/
Murphy 4045 Cedar Trunk was sold for $ 103 www.ebth.com/
The asking price of another Murphy Cedar Chest numbered 4045 in excellent condition, but lid has some crackling of the clear coat finish
was $ 150 www.broadlandshoa.org/
You chest looks great, I think the price is about $ 200-300, but the price depends on the demand in your area.
I have a very pretty Murphy cedar chest model # 4032 how much is it worth?
I have done research on some of my old furniture on the net - Google the name - you get pieces of information that you can put together to get some sort of picture of the item - works for a lot of stuff....
Could this be a case for a 'Murphy' bed?
54" is full size. Bed was stored out of sight until needed.
Hi My name is Lawson Murphy. My family manufactured cedar chests from 1946-2004. We shut down manufactering due to Chinese competition. The cedar chest that you have last sold wholesale around $180. You get a bargain at $25. We manufactured over a million pieces during the lifetime of Murphy Manufacturing. The style you have was the largest cedar chest we made. It could have been bought at Farmers Furniture in the South Georgia area.
I have a Murphy cedar chest with the number 20 on the back. It is 48 inches long 20 inches wide and 19 1/2 inches deep. I received this from my father in law as a gift in June 1969. It was given to me as a hope chest. My then boyfriend and now ex husband was in Viet Nam. I still have this chest.
I have a table marked murphy 6006 from owensboro, ky. Any infomon that
I have a Murphy 7244 cedar chest with a floral pillow top. I am wondering how much it is worth?
Your chest looks in great condition and if you look on eBay people are asking between $150 to $250 for the chest. I would try and sell it locally to avoid the hassle and cost of shipping this item off to the buyer.
My Murphy cedar chest is marked 4017. Is it an antique? How much could I sell it for?
It all varies on what platform you sell on and potential interested buyers.
I am looking for the value and age of a Murphy cedar chest with 2 hearts on it. I am helping a friend.
Thank you!
These were made in the mid 20th century. If the condition is good it is worth in the $100 range.
I would like to see how old my Murphy cedar chest is.
Have a Murphy cedar chest and would like to know how old it is?
Thanks.
I've looked online and can't find any information on my Murphy cedar chest. It has the numbers 975691 and Murphy 7298 on the back. Any information is appreciated.
I have a Murphy cedar chest that has the number 6042 on the back. It has two hearts carved into the front of the chest.
I am wondering if you can tell me what the value is. Thank you for your time.
I am restoring this Murphy chest for a gift and wondering what year it was made.
Thanks.
I have a tapestry covered lid Murphy cedar chest with the number 7273 on it. It has a wooden engraved wheat design on the front and two handles.
What is it worth? I bought in the 1980s.
