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.
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I'd love to know when my little rocker was made and what it is worth today! Thanks.
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
www.collectorsweekly.com/
I found a similar antique Ladies Murphy Rocking Chair made in Detroit, model #313
www.worthpoint.com/
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
I have a Murphy rocking chair #759 that was my grandfathers, I believe. It was in his house in Brooklyn, NY and was still their when his daughter Evelyn passed away at the age of 93 that's when I removed the chair. I moved the chair to Michele's (great grand daughter) house in the Hamptons, NY. I took the chair to my new Florida condo in Boynton Beach where it now resides. I was about to refinish or paint it when I noticed its label and number, Murphy #759. And historical value? To me it does. Can you advise more history on this chair?
This is one of the more unusual chairs I have seen with the flat slat and spools and what looks like an applique on the flat part.
Do you know if the art is original or after market? I know people liked to put "rub on" art like that on furniture in the 50s and 60s so it may be after market.
I hope they share their numbering system meaning. It has always been a mystery to me. Some companies use numbers to mean year or lot # or to tell the wood type or the plant or some combination of all of the above. Murphy's system has never been that clear to me how it worked. Hope they share!!
Looking forward to hearing.
As for value, because it is an usual piece, it may fetch more than a run of the mill chair.
Furniture sales however are very regional so it could be from $25 on up to $800. Depending on supply, demand, and condition.
If you have a furniture reseller in your town you trust, ask him or her to help you value it for your market if you are going to sell it or if you are worried about devaluing if you paint or refinish.
Almost always painting or refinishing will devalue a piece (unless it is a professional restoration refinishing and then if it is a highly sought after piece and then it may increase the value or at least not devalue it as much as if it was left in bad shape).
If you have no intent to sell it, then the "value" is irrelevant. Enjoy your piece and do with it what you wish! Furniture should be loved and enjoyed. Your kids aren't going to get rich on it some day .... there are very few things like that out there any more that are like that, so enjoy it now!!
Post back what you hear!! Thanks for sharing!!
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.
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 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?
I have a small rocker #5305 from Murphy Chair Co. in Detroit Michigan. I am looking for the value.
I saw two on eBay. One was $150 and the other was $200. Keep in mind that these are the asking prices.
I see one on Etsy for $150
Value of Murphy rocking chair.
Step 1
Instappraisal is a website which has a page giving general information on the company, as well as having a forum for the exchange of information between collectors.
Step 2
The Antique Shop website has a forum for the exchange of information between collectors, and discussions on Murphy chairs.
Step 3
Genuine Murphy pieces carry a black label on the base of each chair. The logo reads Murphy in white on a black background.
Step 4
I saw a wicker child's rocker on E-Bay for 290.00.
I have a Murphy rocking chair #5305 Very good condition. It has no arms and has a cane seat. I always thought it as a ladies sewing rocker. Is it possible to get a price?
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 a Murphy 711 rocking chair. Do you know when this was made and approximate value?
Thank you.
