Help with some dining chairs: Mission Style? Craftsman?

[p.c.]

Hi Folks,

I recently picked this four set of dining chairs up off of craigslist in New England. The chairs need to be re-glued and reupholstered but I find them rather simple and lovely. I kinda' like how the builder consistently laid out the quartersawn oak to create visual interest.

Anyway. A day after I brought them home, my wife stumbled across some antique chairs which were the same as she had in her sorority house back in the day, which I think is a rather nice reason to acquire furniture.

So long story not short at all (sorry), I think the oak chairs I acquired should probably go. I'm trying to figure out if I should simply re-list them or whether it's worthwhile making a project of them, regluing them, reupholstering them, and then trying to re-list them with a little markup.

Do any of you folks know how to date these? They have some patina on them so I know they're not new. My best guess was Mission style or Craftsman Style -- maybe later copies of those styles? And do any of you have a ballpark for what they would go for with a solid glue up and new upholstery?

Thanks in advance for any assistance you may be able to provide.

[gg27]

C1910-1920 Edwardian T-Back dining chairs.  Values depend on where you are located, if they are selling well in your area or not.  There are quite a number on eBay and if you Google images, you will see variations, but similar chairs.  GG

edited - Just saw you bought them in New England, hopefully someone from your area will give you some indication of values there.  GG

[mart]

They made this style well into the 30`s !! I have restored many identical chairs !!  The splat does have pretty graining but chances are would not bring enough money to pay you to do extensive restoration unless you are going to keep them !! They are pretty common here in Texas and were made in similar style by a number of mfrs !!

[frogpatch]

Not so fast Mart. Those are famous chairs from the hucklebuck scene from the Honeymooners

[icedgold10]

OMG!!!! Love that show!

[mart]

LOL !!  Ya` trying to date me aren`t you Frogpatch ??

[p.c.]

Well there we go:

http://youtu.be/AsT8ML0dc10

 

Thank you all for the responses. I'm actually pleased with the news. The chairs are expensive enough so that I can justify spending a little bit on materials before I sell them but not too expensive that I have to worry about betraying God and Country when completing the job.

May I ask how you all learned so much about dating furniture? Are there master books that you rely upon? Or did you all just pick the knowledge up here and there over time?

[cogar]

May I ask how you all learned so much about dating furniture?

It is the direct result of a rare but contagious disease ....

......... commonly called Antique Pox.   

And once you get infected ..... you'll spend half your time looking, learning, reading, and studying the items that really "turn-your-crank" and get you all excited.

[Rauville]

Years ago, I bought the contents of a defunct Oddfellows Lodge. I found that after carefully intertwining legs and backs, you can get roughly 84 matching T-back chairs loaded on one pickup truck! Just remember to have plenty of rope on hand.

[mart]

There is no better teacher than hands on and asking a lot of questions !!  There are some websites that will help but,, with furniture there is no cut and dried single answer on some things !!  It takes a bit of detective work !!

[frogpatch]

My grandfather used to make Colonial furniture in the 1940s for his five daughters and his wife. The pieces fooled dealers thirty years later and are probably being sold as centennial pieces today. He even used old nails and an old lathe. Only a seasoned pro can spot the difference. There were lots of farmers who did the same thing in the winter with hand me down equipment. But if the quality is the same, who cares? Just saying.