Phoenix Rocking Chair No. 1147

Your chair is in the Colonial Revival style, made in the early years of the 20th century. Phoenix Chair Co., which claimed to be "the largest chair factory in the world under one roof," has an interesting history. It was formed in 1875 by a group of local businessmen concerned about the loss of jobs after a fire consumed Crocker and Bliss, then one of two industrial plants in the city at the time.Within a few years, it was selling more than 10,000 chairs in more than 400 styles every month. By 1888, it employed 400. Phoenix was known for making everyday household furniture,the company continued to grow and, in 1942, it was chosen by the United States government to make furniture for federal housing projects. Ironically, it was a fire in 1962 that leveled the plant that led to Phoenix's closing in 1964. Right now chairs like yours go for about $75.00 at auction.