I'm hoping someone can help my wife and I find any information regarding the sofa in these pictures. We know it's a sofa-bed, but we don't know how it works, who made it or it's relative worth. Any ideas?

Often called a Davenport or a Duofold, these were made by many manufactureres (couldn't find an exact match in a few references) and the bed part either happens by folding down the back or the ends, on a hinge, or lifting and flipping out the seat cushions somehow (just like most modern ones) - just play around with it to get it to work, and look everywhere for a makers label. Value is hard to say without seeing condition close up (depends alot on the upholstery and springs/cushions for something like this - leather would be best) but in the hundreds, not the thousands I would say, so round numbers $700-900 plus/minus (depending also on retail vs. auction - retail might go over a thousand), but open to other opinions.

I am always reluctant to give any estimate of value on an internet forum. To understand the complexities of value you must evaluate condition and demand. Too many variables to be able to make a good judgement. I do think there may be a considerable demand for this davenport. I suggest you check some of the auction catalogue of the past years. David Rago Craftsman catalogues are available with price results.

On the issue of how it works.... I might suggest pulling on the bottom front base board and see if it does not slide out. Let us know.

Fred

quote:

Originally posted by FZweig:
I do think there may be a considerable demand for this davenport. I suggest you check some of the auction catalogue of the past years. David Rago Craftsman catalogues are available with price results.

I might be low. I can't find anything on eBay or any price guides I have that comes close, so on the rarity scale, this piece could be up there a bit. I've gone through Rago results in the past and I can't recall seeing anything like this, but Rago sticks to the big names and this might be a lesser known maker.

Here we go - must have missed this earlier

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6...item=6540886297&rd=1

How great is that! Instructions on how to use the bed. Good find there Stonecat.

Fred

quote:

Originally posted by FZweig:
How great is that! Instructions on how to use the bed. Good find there Stonecat.

Fred

It's amazing what you can find on eBay. In a few days we can see what this gets bid up to as well.

Thanks to both FZweig and Stonecat, you've been a great help. Though our sofa is a bit larger with new fabric and padding, the one you found on eBay should be a good indicator of value. We are looking forward to finding more information about our pieces origin.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6...item=6540886297&rd=1

Well the eBay version only made $263 U.S. The basic problem with big furniture on eBay is the shipping question. It often costs a huge amount to ship any sort of distance and the preferred approach for both selling and bidding is local pick-up so this limits the number of people interested, from the thousands that regulary surf eBay to just maybe several dozen or so close enough to the seller to think they could pick it up or get it shipped relatively cheap - more like a local auction in this regard.

I did contract the auction house in New York you suggested and they seemed to confirm that the weight and non-Stickley origins of these pieces make them difficult to move, consequently they don't deal with them. So, given it's somewhat negligible value, I think I'll concentrate on finding more information regarding it's origins.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecat:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6...item=6540886297&rd=1

Well the eBay version only made $263 U.S. The basic problem with big furniture on eBay is the shipping question. It often costs a huge amount to ship any sort of distance and the preferred approach for both selling and bidding is local pick-up so this limits the number of people interested, from the thousands that regulary surf eBay to just maybe several dozen or so close enough to the seller to think they could pick it up or get it shipped relatively cheap - more like a local auction in this regard.

Despite what it made, it is interesting to note that the buyer is a dealer (based on the profile and history that you can access if you are another eBay member), who is located in the same State as the seller. I would envision him picking it up, then fixing it up as needed, and marking it up for sale in his shop. The retail value will thus be based on a profit margin over his relative costs - standard antique business approach.