How much is this Murphy chair, #358 worth and can you tell me any more about it?
Sometimes it is difficult to sell a single chair in this style, as it was probably part of a dining room set and not particularly popular as a single occasional chair.
You can check prices online but it will be difficult to find a single chair in this style.
This set of 4 chairs is listed for sale on eBay for $145.
The seller has had these listed for sale for over 2 1/2 years and they still have not sold. This is not uncommon.
www.ebay.com/
Where your chair is located will be the deciding factor in the final value of your chair as shipping would be very expensive, so sellers usually list furniture as 'local pick up only'.
I would say that your chair's value may be approximately $50 but if you list it for sale, you should start with a higher price and accept best offers. Leave it posted at the higher price for several weeks and if you do not receive any offers, then lower the price and wait again.
www.thriftyfun.com/
Your chair has a label that says Owensboro.
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. However, with Detroit's burgeoning automotive industry, it became more difficult for Murphy to compete for labor and in 1919 Murphy moved to Owensboro Kentucky where they continued to manufacture chairs until 1954.
wikimapia.org/
Your chair was made after 1919.
I found a question about 4 Murphy chairs #358:
"4 chairs with paper labels under the seat cushions stating "Murphy Chairs...On Top of the World", "Murphy Chair Company", "Owensboro, Kentucky" and "Chair No. 358". The shop owner thought that they were made of mahoganey and they have original-looking needlepoint cushions, 2 in burgundy with rose design, 2 in a light seafoam with similar floral design."
www.justanswer.com/
Your chair was made in the 1920's-1930's, the value is about $125-150.
For example Antique Murphy 306 Lyra Chair made in Owensboro, Kentucky in 1920s set of 2 is at $375
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/
This chair has been in our local courthouse (built 1916) for years. We are now auctioning it to raise funds for local historical organizations. The seat and back seem to be covered with leather.
I would like any info on its history and its value on today's market.
Murphy Chair Company made this style chair - called by different names; office, secretary, stenographer, lawyers, library - from 1900-1950 so I'm not sure you can date it except from history provided by workers at the courthouse.
If this chair was going to be listed for sale on the open market, I would say the value would be very low - maybe $25-$35 as a 'pick up only' (yard sale maybe) as most likely someone buying it would be planning a complete redo.
Since this chair may have a lot of history behind it, you may be able to raise the value if you can pinpoint whose office this chair was normally used or even who used it - maybe family would be interested.
You may find some useful information from past inquires:
www.thriftyfun.com/
I have an old Murphy chair 4415. Just wanted to know some info and maybe even some pricing, thanks.
I do not have any information on age as Murphy Chair made almost the same style chairs from 1930 - 1960's.
As to value; it has been difficult to find very much on sold Murphy chairs like yours and listing for sale prices are just a price the seller would like to receive for their items - only a sold item shows what someone was willing to pay for that item.
I found a few very similar chairs that have either sold or not sold at auctions. You can look at these to maybe get some idea of value.
instappraisal.com/
Straight back swivel chair: $70 - 2017
www.ebth.com/
Similar chair: $70 - 2017
www.ebth.com/
Similar: $100 - 2013
www.liveauctioneers.com/
Furniture values have not changed very much over the past 8-10 years so value is probably going to be about the same as these sold prices.
I would say to list your chair maybe starting at $150-$250 with best offer considered and pick up only and see how it goes. If no offers after several weeks/months then lower the price and wait again.
As a general rule, furniture sales are slow but sales are really unpredictable.
You may find more information these links:
www.thriftyfun.com/
www.thriftyfun.com/
What is the value of this chair? It is a Murphy #4412.
A pair of your chairs just sold (well, 2018--but furniture values remain pretty much the same) for $336.00
picclick.com/
It looks like yours may have been stripped and redone--or maybe it is just the photo or the wear that makes it look very grainy.
If it is refinished, that will devalue.
Great piece! Post back how your sale goes!
These desk chairs - Murphy and other brands/non-brands - are listed on sites for mostly high prices but sold records do not reflect many sales for these prices.
The only online sale recorded (and online records are pretty accurate) for this chair #442 is the one Pghgirl stated but I can see very little comparison between your chair and the 2 chairs that sold for $336 in 2018. The sold chairs have a darker wood (I think these chairs were made in light and dark wood) which could be good or bad, but look to be in almost pristine condition.
Also, the chairs in this listing had been listed for sale for over 2 years before they sold.
picclick.com/
I cannot tell from the picture if your chair has very many rough spots(chairs look pretty nicked up) but it is very dirty from general use. The black 'stuff' on your chair is generally called 'body oils' and that just means everyone who uses it leaves a little 'dirt' behind. This can be cleaned but it will take quite a lot of cleaning because all of the 'black' has to be removed even around the slabs in the back of the chair.
I have always used turpentine to clean dirt like this and it usually always turned out great.
If you would like to try cleaning up your chair, here is a link to a post on YouTube that has excellent instructions.
www.youtube.com/
There are a couple of chairs listed for sale on eBay that are similar to yours. The numbers may not be the same but the chair has very little difference in style.
This one is listed for $79.95 and is the same except for the top back cross piece - your top is straight across and this one is curved. These chairs have not been listed for a long time so they may actually sell.
I do not believe the value of your chair - in the present condition would be as high as these chairs.
www.ebay.com/
I believe this chair is overpriced especially since it has been reglued and refurbished but you can place a watch on it to see if it sells.
www.ebay.com/
There are some similar chairs listed on Etsy and some of these may sell as Etsy has a good following for nicer furniture but sold items are only listed for a few days after the sale so difficult to find a sold item.
You might want to read past answers to questions about Murphy chairs:
www.thriftyfun.com/
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.
