KOKEN Barber chair help needed

[jewelsings]

Hello - I recently acquired an antique 1800's KOKEN unfinished barber chair.  It looks as if the previous owner intended on fixing the chair as all the spare parts were in a box.  I was able to almost completely assemble the chair and did find a serial number on the wooden part of the seat - 1868825 - I posted several pics at http://www.soundwavepro.com/LOCK.html
Any help with value would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for your time  

[mart]

Can you post the pics here please !!

[jewelsings]

Pictures posted....more at the link I provided earlier.  Thanks!

[rockandrollrods]

I would guess around $200-$300 dollars. It's too old and the wrong material to be worth the big money some of the later ones command. Simply because this is a delicate antique. Tattoo artists and barbers like ones that are solid and will last with daily use for another fifty years.

[mart]

Mmm,, I don`t know R&RR,, I looked at several yesterday trying to find a comparison,, many of this type with oak platform, restored of course,, had prices of $1500. or more !! As is,, you are probably about right !! Restoration would cost a bit so not sure there would be any great profit if done properly !!

[rockandrollrods]

Restored would bring more for sure. But still not those $5K chairs that turn up in a lot of California tattoo shops.

[KC]

There is more to life than tattoo parlors R&RR!

This is still worth quite a bit and will only continue to increase in value as time goes on.

Definitely needs some TLC to restore...but worth it!

[mart]

Only thing about this one is Koken started making chairs around 1900 and his credit was in the hydraulic lift !!  Have not seen anywhere that he made chairs in 1800`s unless it was very shortly before the turn of the century !!

[KC]

Can you please post a picture of the underside of the chair and any close ups of the hardware.  Please note any wording on it as well.

[rockandrollrods]

There is more to life than tattoo parlors R&RR!

This is still worth quite a bit and will only continue to increase in value as time goes on.

Definitely needs some TLC to restore...but worth it!

I agree. That's why I don't have any. But within a thirty mile radius of my house there is only one barbershop that uses old chairs. And they prefer and use the metal ones. The couple dozen tattoo parlors in the same radius? Almost all of them have metal chairs. I do think that it needs to be restored as well. It's awesome!

[jewelsings]

Here are more pictures....not sure if the serial number means it was made in 1868 or not...there is a small metal piece that is missing from the underneath part..but I have that piece that needs to be put back on...not part of the working mechanism though...also a large metal bar is not attached - not sure how to put this together.

[jewelsings]

Few more pics...I sure would love to know the date of this chair...also the best place to sell...I don't think I will have it restored.  Thanks for all the comments

[mart]

http://www.justanswer.com/antiques/5zgvh-koken-barber-chair-serial-number-l30927-new-know.html

The answer to this has some links that might help !! It also said that some are dated on the base under the seat !! That metal bar is probably the joystick control that Koken patented !! Goes on the side and is used to control all parts of the chair !!