Hitchcock Chair History
Hitchcock chairs are one of the most popular types of collectible antique chairs and have resulted in thousands of collectors, who crave the style of this longtime American mainstay. Does this Spark an idea?
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What a Hitchcock Chair Looks Like
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The body of a Hitchcock chair is typically made of dark wood. The seat is usually comprised of cane, rush or wood. A common trait of a Hitchcock chair is the stenciled designs of leaves and fruit painted on the dark wood.
Founder of the Hitchcock Chair
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Lambert Hitchcock founded the Hitchcock Chair Company in 1818. The company, located in Connecticut, originally mass produced chair parts made of various wood, such as oak, maple and birch. Eventually, as his business expanded, Hitchcock began selling completed furniture, thus earning the name "Hitchcock Chair."
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About Lambert Hitchcock
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Lambert Hitchcock was born in Cheshire, Conn., in June 1795. The son of a Revolutionary soldier, Hitchcock was forced into bankruptcy in 1829, when his business was transferred to trustees. However, Lambert Hitchcock continued to have a prominent role in the business after this development.
Value
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The original price of a Hitchcock chair was $1.50. Much has changed over the years. There are now many collectors of Hitchcock chairs and they are a much desired antique item. Depending on the condition and age of the chair, an original can fetch upward of several hundred dollars or more.
Where to Find Hitchcock Chairs
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Hitchcock chairs are no longer produced new. However, they can be found at antique shops, auctions, on the Internet and, if you are lucky, perhaps even at an estate or yard sale.
Fun Fact
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Even in the early stages of the company, Hitchcock produced 15,000 chairs a day. Despite the high level of production, the chairs were each individual in their own right because of the varied stenciling and shapes.
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