This is my grandmother's rocking chair which I have in my possession; and the stamp on the underside indicates it's a Murphy Chair Co. rocking chair. I would like to know when the chair might have been made - am thinking the emblem and number may be an indication. My grandmother was born in 1895. My mother was born in 1914 and her child's rocking chair was determined to be purchased between 1914 and 1919 (when the Co. moved to Kentucky). The stamp on the bottom of the child's chair was completely different. It seems like this chair may have been purchased earlier, and possibly by my great-grandmother/grandparents. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
I love the older rocking chairs, but they are out of fashion with most people and probably will not make a good return.
This chair was sold in 2014 for the ridiculous price of $27.50 but this sort of thing does happen. The main problem may have been where it was located, as these chairs are very expensive to ship.
The nice thing about this ad is it is the exact same chair model as yours but does not supply very much information.
idahoauctionbarn.hibid.com/
This history article state the company moved from Detroit in 1919, so your chair had to have been made before 1919, but I have not seen a chart using model numbers to coincide with manufactured dates.
"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.
So, the Murphy chairs were made in Detroit in the period 1874-1919.
I think chairs already made in Detroit and with Detroit labels may have been sold after 1919. The label only helps identify the approximate years of manufacture, not the year of purchase.
I have a Murphy Chair Co., Detroit rocking chair #612. It is in very good condition. What is it worth?
By Bob S.
I have a rocking chair with a mark on bottom of chair that has a crest with Murphy Chair Company on left side and Detroit 5688 Michigan on the right. How old is it and what's it worth?
By Arland
How old is this chair and does it have any monetary value? Is it a sewing or nursing rocker? Thank you!
Your rocker is an antique - made by Murphy Chair Co in Detroit, Michigan before the company moved to Kentucky.
Products made by Murphy were marked with decal labels that used the original Detroit address until 1919.
Description of chair:
"This small chair is a ladies sewing rocker, sometimes called a nursing rocker or slipper rocking chair. The chair is always bigger than child-size, but smaller than a full-size rocker would be. The lack of arms allowed the lady of the house to easily nurse an infant or sew a shirt while she rocked. These are utilitarian chairs, usually simple and made from pine. A sewing rocker in good condition from the late 1800s sold in 2020 for $125."
This is an excellent article about rocking chairs in general:
antiques.lovetoknow.com/
This style of chair is not very popular in the modern age as very few people are doing either of the tasks it was designed for: sewing or nursing.
You can read some questions and answers on the following sites:
Value will depend a lot on the market in your area as shipping will be costly.
www.thriftyfun.com/
www.thriftyfun.com/
These sites answer questions about items like this.
www.quora.com/What-is-good-online-forum-about-furniture
www.wood-furniture.biz/.../forum.php
www.reddit.com/
www.reddit.com/
I found this great chair, but haven't been able to find too much info.
Thanks!
I researched this chair for another poster to Thrifty Fun in November. Here is a link to the answer:
www.thriftyfun.com/
I hope my post (and those of the others) helps you. Lovely piece!!
I have Murphy sewing rocker # 735 with marking of original Murphy Chair Co. in Detroit. It's in excellent condition. What would be the value?
I purchased a Murphy rocking chair from a garage sale for $20.00. It is stamped Murphy 1941 Owensboro Kentucky 1941 under the arm. What is this valued at, did I get a good find?
Step 1
I can't find the exact value of your rocking chair.
Step 2
I did see some old listing on eBay and one chair sold for $150 and the other one sold for $200.
Step 3
You did a good job in purchasing this chair for only $20.
Step 4
If you are looking for the exact value of your chair. Here on Thrifty Fun there is a guide for you.
Step 5
In the guide I saw a listing for different antique stores and searching for prices on your furniture.
Step 6
Please visit the site www.thriftyfun.com/
Step 7
To find out more information.
I have a smaller wooden rocker. I think it is for children. It has a label that say Murphy Chair Company on the left, and Detroit No. 307 Mich. on the right. It has a crest in the middle, black with white print. It is not upholstered. It is all wood. I am looking to find out when it was made, and how much it could be worth.
By Mar-Lene Allen from Auburn, IN
I can not find any information about my rocker. I am interested in knowing the year of manufacture and possibly the value.
There is a lot of history on the Murphy Chairs online.
From my understanding, the Michigan label makes the chair between 1872 and 1907 when they moved from Detroit to Kentucky.
www.worthpoint.com/
As to the value, it really depends on where you are located and the supply and demand for such pieces.
In the US, there is an average asking price of $150 for antique rockers, but since yours has more detail with the frieze on the back you may get more, or if you are in a high supply, low demand area, you may get less.
In today's very uncertain market, my best suggestion is to find a reputable antique dealer who specializes in furniture and get his/her feedback on the market in your town.
If the value in your area is on the high side, you may do better to have a professional seller sell it for you in a shop or auction setting. Even though you split profits with them, you end up with much less hassles and less risk for scam/fraud.
Post back how your sale goes!!
I have a Murphy Rocker #767 in oak, I am looking for an approximate date of manufacture. It has a high back with 6 slats and a solid seat with upholstery (upholstery is not original).
I was with my grandfather in 1964 when he purchased it at a garage sale.
I have found several of these chairs listed online but none of them are the one you are asking about. The cloest date I can find for a chair that is 735 it was made in the 1950s. I hope this can get you started. The Murphy company has a website and on the site they say it is possible to contact them to get the value or information about your item. You might want to check there. Maybe someone else can give you more information than this to help you out.
