KARPEN COMPANY Wood and Cane Setee and Rocker

[Louise]

I have a Setee and a Rocker and I'm getting ready to sell and I am seeking information and prices for it
The frame is very heavy and sturdy and the cane is a little rough and the cushions need to be recovered. I have found one on eBay that is very similar to these but are in better condition and they have it priced for $9000 so ium wondering how mine companies to this one

[frogpatch]

Solomon Karpen was an immigrant, born what is Poland today but West Prussia in 1858. He had nine sons. He was described as the Dean of Furniture Makers by the NY Times when he died in 1936. Founded in 1880 Karpen was the worlds largest furniture manufacturer by the turn of the century. They were well known for upholstered pieces but made virtually everything in every style from Mission to Art Nouveau to Mid Century modern. That being said there is a lot of Karpen furniture out there. Pricing ranges wildly depending upon the style and desirability. Your pieces appear to have been made around 1910-1920 but I can't classify them in any particular style. The market is very weak right now and anyone who purchases this set is going to want to reupholster it. In my opinion you would do well if you could get 500.00 to 750.00 for the set. Others may not agree with me so consider the general consensus and get many opinions. If it were a Arts and Crafts style or Mid Century Modern it would command a higher price in todays market.

[mart]

I agree with Frogpatch !! That is about what you can expect price wise !! It looks like it has Queen Anne legs/feet but these were used by many mfrs. of furniture !!
Ebay is not an indicator of value but it does tell you what people are actually paying !! You can ask whatever you want,,getting it is another ball of wax !!
Can you post the link to the one you saw on ebay ??

[Louise]

I agree with Frogpatch !! That is about what you can expect price wise !! It looks like it has Queen Anne legs/feet but these were used by many mfrs. of furniture !!
Ebay is not an indicator of value but it does tell you what people are actually paying !! You can ask whatever you want,,getting it is another ball of wax !!
Can you post the link to the one you saw on ebay ??

http://m.ebay.com/itm/181587737428?nav=SEARCH

[frogpatch]

They are certainly like yours. I will be very surprised if the pieces sell for that price. But then again I have been wrong many times. At least I did get the date right

[mart]

We will just have to see about that one !! She has 24 days left on it so it was recently listed !! That would cost the buyer $10,000. !! No it is not worth that,, or even close !!

[KC]

Here's one that never sold for $995
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Elegant-original-antique-KARPEN-Sofa-c1916-/331373339424?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d2763e320&nma=true&si=DOluG0YRub6vpCdc4zoUhfAljKs%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Sol for $175
http://www.antiquesnavigator.com/d-124926/antique-vintage-cane-victorian-sofa-couch-rattan-settee.html

[jacon4]

9k? uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, noooooooooooooo. Although out of my field of interest & others here know more about this era of furniture than i do, that ebay sale @ 9k is a pipe dream, not gonna happen. Auction RESULTS (what somebody actually paid) offer a far more realistic expectation of value than what a seller is asking.

[mart]

Thats what I keep saying !!  Asking price is one thing,,,getting it is very different !!

[KC]

Now guys/gals....if someone super, super, super famous in history had their picture with that set of furniture at a historical happening...or died on the sofa....it could bring close to that!  :O  But otherwise...that is not realistic in today's market.

[mart]

Mmmm,, that's an idea,,now where was Elvis again ??