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 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
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 have a Murphy Chair Co., Detroit rocking chair #612. It is in very good condition. What is it worth?
By Bob S.
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?
I have a Murphy #687 rocking chair. What is it worth?
I'm not sure if this is your chair. The number wasn't posted. It was professionally restored and sold for $475.
www.southwestspiritantiques.com/
I have a small rocker #5305 from Murphy Chair Co. in Detroit Michigan. I am looking for the value.
I'm just wondering if I could just find out the value of my rocking chair. It is a Murphy 677 from the 1800s.
I am interested in finding the value of a Murphy rocker #557.
I have a Murphy rocking chair #109 made in Detroit. I cannot find any information on this. I have been told this is my great great grandmother's. Can you help?
My wife's family has had this chair for a long time - maybe since it was purchased new. The label on the bottom says, Murphy Chair Co.
No. 735 Detroit Michigan. You can see it has some damage. Any idea of it's age and it's value in this condition?
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 have a Murphy 711 rocking chair. Do you know when this was made and approximate value?
Thank you.
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!!
