sick bed

[monica]

i got this bed at an auction, it has a chain mail type area for a box spring the head & foot boards fold in if the legs are folded up and the rocking (legs) also fold in. I've been told it was to store the bed and it was used as a "sick" bed to rock and sooth those who were ill.  Is this true or what is my bed, any Idea of the year or what it is?

[railman44]

Pictures?

[KC]

Would really love to see a picture of this one!

Lightly constructed beds, rather like the folding kind, were small enough to be kept under the the 4 posted beds when not required.  They were used by nurses/servants attending sick people or as extra accommodation for an unexpected visitor. They even made small chests of drawers with dummy fronts - the door would swing open to reveal a folding bed which could be pulled out when needed.

These were also known as truckle beds and these days they are manufactured as trundle beds.

 In the late 1800's they also made folding beds that could come out of closets and cabinets that soon became "Murphy Beds" which was (Cabinets were designed after some created in 15th century)....The folding mechanism was developed in the US by Mr. Murphy and was patented.  They became very popular!    THey also made Murphy sofas'!

There was a company that even made "Ta-Beds" - tables that became beds.  (Ta-Bed Company in Chicago.)

Hope this helps!

[D&b antiques]

And too add to that. chain mesh became popular about circa 1870. the largest supplier was National wire mattress among others. who all so made Bed steads.

[monica]

i have tried twice to send the pic tell me how or what am i doing wrong

[talesofthesevenseas]

There is a problem on the site, you can email it to me and I'll post it for you. talesofthesevenseas@hotmail.com

[monica]

here it is i hope!

[D&b antiques]

Your Bed was designed out of necessity, the victorians were firm believers in Rocking as and aid to various illness's. it's unique in it's own right. circa early 1870's. conservite $500.00 + Dollars.

[regularjoe2]

Nice bed , monica .

[monica]

thanks for the comments folks. the thing is though the bed cannot rock with the legs down. but if you fold the legs up then the head and foot boards have to fold down because they're connected to the legs with a hinge mechanism. so how could it have ever rocked? it would be awful uncomfortable with your feet and head resting on top of the folded down boards just to be able to rock.

D&B, there are 4 hinges total that connect the legs to the head and food boards and 2 or 3 are broken. is the value still approximatly the same as you mentioned? the wood is in great shape.

[KC]

He put that was a conservative value.....honestly. ...it is very old and unique (not many around anymore).....so you can most likely get up to $800+ even with bad hinges (if the wood is in really good shape!)

Great piece of history!

YOU ARE SO LUCKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[talesofthesevenseas]

That's VERY cool. Neat to see something like this. I love seeing antiques that really speak about the time they come from. This one does that wonderfully.

[monica]

thanks for the replies folks. now, who wants to buy it? im in upstat new york and this thing is heavy so shipping would be quite a bit i assume but maybe we could work something out. just PM me if your interested.....if im allowed to sell stuff on this forum that is. i dont want to break any rules here.