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Vintage Early 1940's Lyre Back Dining Room Chairs

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    Posted 14 years ago

    TakeThatJune
    (2 items)

    I recently inherited a dining room set from my great grandmother. It was bought by her sister for their mother in the early 1940's. The table is a drop leaf Craddock Company with brass claw feet, including a center leaf, mahogany veneer. The chairs are lyre back side chairs by Tell City Chair Co., out of Tell City, Indiana. They would have originally been bought in the Southern Illinois area. My problem is it now only has five chairs. According to my mother, who ate every holiday meal at this table as a child, there were more chairs. Based on the tables size, (they were originally bought to go together) I assume there were eight chairs, six side chairs and two captains chairs. I am trying to find one side chair and two captains to compensate the originals. I was wondering if anyone happened to know anything about price. What would be an acceptable price to pay for replacements? I have seen a few in my area but they seem over priced for something like this, sometimes $100 a chair is asked. I don't want to overpay for something mass produced or widely available. Thanks!

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    Comments

    1. Leslie K. Nelson, 14 years ago
      Depending on where you are and the condition of the chairs, the going rate may very well be $100.+. BUT....you could get lucky at an auction or yard sell. Maye even a thrift store could be your lucky shopping spot to find them for much much cheaper..
    2. Laurie Todd, 14 years ago
      I just bought two of the lyre back side chairs myself -- here in Seattle. I am not planning to sell them ... I find them whimsical and enchanting. I am also looking for the captain's chairs. If you look on Ebay, you will see that Tell City chairs -- even plain ones without the lyre back -- go for a lot more than $100. All you need to do to obtain a price for similar chairs is to email the Tell City Chair Company at info(at)tellcitychair(dot)com (yes, they are still in business), give them your pattern number, and ask them what they are worth.
    3. Laurie Todd, 14 years ago
      I just found a set of four of our lyre-back chairs for sale at http://www.williamtellantiques.com in Tell City, Indiana -- for $180 the set of four. I only need two of them ... go for it!

      P.S. The two chairs that I bought in Seattle appear to be covered in the same material as yours. I wonder if by some wierd coincidence I have two of the chairs from your set?
    4. TakeThatJune, 14 years ago
      I will have to email the company and ask! I am within day trip distance to Tell City. Thank you so much. I had a chance to replace the chairs with a set of mahogany shield back Sheraton/ Duncan Phyfe-esque dining chairs my aunt owned but I declined an am still looking to complete this set. I love the chairs. Its odd that this was the exact kind of table and chairs I was looking for for my dining room in my 1901 Victorian (first formal dining room ever! Kitchen dinettes just don't go (: ) and these happened to fall in my lap. Once again, thanks, all!
    5. kathy, 14 years ago
      I HAVE THE SAME DINING ROOM TABLE AND CHAIRS YOU HAVE PICTURED THAT I GOT FROM MY GRANDMOTHER. THE SEAT COVERS ARE DIFFERENT. I ONLY HAVE 4 CHAIRS. WHAT IS THE TABLE VALUED AT?
    6. TakeThatJune, 14 years ago
      My table has a mahogany veneer table top but they also sold solid mahogany table tops. From what I can tell, mine is worth about $200 in the condition it is in. It has a couple of large scratches and a bit of veneer is starting to come off. (fixable, just haven't done it yet) If yours is in better condition or solid mahogany is could be worth $400 or so. My chairs have been recovered twice that I can tell, the original (or the first layer under the other layers) is a cream and green stripe and the second is a green and red damask then the one that is on it now with its pink faux alligator catastrophe. I plan on reupholstering with some kind or red/blue stripe.
    7. Dave from Ontario Canada, 14 years ago
      I have 4 chairs same as in the picture above in top shape. What might they be worth?
    8. Dizzydave Dizzydave, 14 years ago
      Love the Chairs! Dave
      http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/9953-victorian-diningroom-table-and-chairs?in=activity
    9. Jan, 14 years ago
      I have only one of the lyre back chairs. It's so unique. I may be willing to sell. I didn't know it was Tell City. I also have a 42 inch round Maple Tell City table, with easy care laminate top, pedistal style with leaf to expand to oval table. Four chairs with unique carving on back, purchased in 1978 from Tell City.
    10. Anna, 14 years ago
      Jan,
      if you still have that one chair, and you are in Jersey, I'd like to know how much you want for it.
      I only have one, and would like a match.
      please send me an email.
      Thank you.
      Anna
    11. kathy gregson, 14 years ago
      I have 4 tell city chairs pattern #589. can anyone tell me what they are worth?
    12. debbie miller, 13 years ago
      I also have this table and 5 chairs... I don't have the captains chair or the leaf for the table. the table was my grandmother's and she left it to me along with the 3 corner hutch that goes with it. If you find out where to purchase the captains chairs I would greatly apprecitate an e-mail... I have no idea how much any of it is worth but for me it is priceless!
    13. Lisa, 13 years ago
      Check today's, July 24th, 2011, Craigslist Furniture/Chairs. One chair is listed for $70.00.
    14. Lisa, 13 years ago
      Prescott, Arizona Craigslist that is. : )
    15. Carolyn Skidmore, 13 years ago
      My table is similar to your table but it has three claw feet and two drop leafs as one on each side and four chairs. Would love to know what I have as does have the Tell City sticker on the under part of chair. Can you help me? I would appreciate it so much.
    16. runnermom, 10 years ago
      I have 3 chairs that look almost identical to yours. The wood frame is the same and same color,but the fabric on the chairs is ivory and maroon. They were made by the Liberty Chair Co. in N. Carolina, circa 1930's. The fabric is a bit worn but I could send you a pic if you are still interested in buying them. I would give you them all for $150. let me know
    17. GGVillages, 10 years ago
      runnermom. I have a chair like this. Liberty chair com. Do u still have yours?
    18. palcalcorn1, 9 years ago
      Just picked up a drop leaf table like the one pictured in the original post with 4 Tell City Lyre back chairs at local thrift store. I just love them. The table is probably mahogany veneer. All 4 chair have the lyre back design, however two chairs are more ornate in the craving in that back design. Are these items still marketable at $400 to $500?
    19. scottvez scottvez, 9 years ago
      Depends on condition and your area.

      If the condition is similar to the ones pictured (considerable scratches and dings), the set wouldn't bring half that much in my area (TN).

      scott
    20. OldClass, 9 years ago
      I have one of these Whimsical and enchanting Lyre Back Chair. Are you still looking for one of these chair? My grandmother gave it to me years ago...but I only have one. I would like to sell this one. Which state do you live in? I am moving soon and I need to sell this chair.

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