STICKLEY QUAINT CHAIRS

Q: My neighbor died recently and after her children cleaned out her house, they told us we could have whatever was left. We found these two Stickley chairs covered up with an old tarp at the back of the barn. Are they valuable? The metal tag says "Quaint Furniture, Grand Rapids."

A: Five Stickley brothers made furniture, Gustav, Albert, Charles, John George, and Leopold. Gustav is the most famous and his furniture brings the highest prices. Albert and John George established Stickley Brothers Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1891. Their Quaint Line of furniture was introduced in 1902. Quaint Mission was made first. In 1904 Quaint Arts & Crafts was made and in 1914 Quaint Tudor and Quaint Manor were made. In the 1920s Quaint American and Quaint Colonial were made. John George left the firm in 1902 and Albert retired in 1927. The company was in business until about 1947. The furniture was marked with a paper label or a brass tag like yours. The seat covering on your chair looks like a replacement. The chairs, as is, are worth about $175 each.

STICKLEY TABLE

Stickley Table

Q: We purchased an unusual table a few years ago. It's a drop-leaf square table that actually "drops" on the diagonal. The joints all have pegs. Can you tell us how old it is?

A: The table was made by L. & J.G. Stickley in Fayetteville, New York. The company was founded c.1902 by Leopold and John George Stickley, younger brothers of the more famous Gustav Stickley. Early designs were similar to those of Gustav, but veneers and laminated wood were used as well as solid fumed oak. Leonard and John George bought Gustav's business when he retired in 1918. A line of colonial reproduction furniture, the Cherry Valley Collection, was introduced in 1922. Pieces in this line were branded "Stickley Fayetteville Syracuse." After John George died in 1921 and Leonard in 1958, Leonard's wife took over the business. In 1974 the company was sold to Alfred and Aminy Audi. Some of the old Mission furniture designs were reintroduced. Alfred died in 2007 and the company is now run by his wife and son. Company headquarters are in Manlius, New York. The company historian may be able to help identify your Stickley furniture. Send photos to Historian, Stickley Furniture Co., One Stickley Dr., Manlius, NY 13104; or send digital images to History@Stickley.com.