Category
Furniture
Medium
Wood
Distinguishing marks
Cartoon Lamb & Monkey on back of high chair
Condition
Good
Date Period
I'm guessing early to mid 1900's
Size and dimensions of this item
39" high, 21" x 21" at feet, back board is 15.5" wide
Weight
15-20 lbs?
Long Description
I am wondering as to the age and value of this antique high chair. I bought it simply because it was visually appealing to me. I tried looking up the maker, the "Williamsburg Chair Factory, Inc." from Williamsburg, Ohio and could find nothing on the internet. If someone could please give me an idea of the age and value of the chair it would be much appreciated.
Thanks very much,
Erik
History
I found it at a garage sale, I only know it was in the family for over half a century
eBay Auction Link
Price Paid (If known)
50 cents
For Sale?
No
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
Can anyone please tell me what might be the year built and value of this high chair??? I was not thinking it would take over two weeks trying to get these answers... Thanks
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
Check this out: it might be a place to start!
http://books.google.com/books?id=32l5AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA416&lpg=PA416&dq=wil…
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
I am restoring this same high chair for my niece. I and my siblings used this chair. My oldest sister born 1953 and myself 1960. My chair doesn't have the lamb or it rubbed off.So i guess mom and dad bought this chair in 1953. Thanks for the information obtained from your site.
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
Chech this out:
http://books.google.com/books?id=32l5AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA416&lpg=PA416&dq=wil…
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
My family made these chairs. The factory started in 1898 but closed in the 1960's. It was owned by the White family of Williamsburg. This particular chair was made in the early 1950's.
They made rockers, table and chair sets, kindergarten furniture, toy boxes, playpens, potty chairs etc.
During the Depression the factory never closed and had the workers work 3 and 4 day weeks. If they got in trouble and lost their home my grandfather bought it and rented it back to them for $5 or $10 a month.
We found this out when he died and a dozen or so of these homes popped up. After the Depression and into the 50's he just let the folks live for free.
I have old catalogs that show this chair...I'm one of the baby models sitting in some of these chairs. I've bought several of these over the years and paid from $50 to $120 for ones in good shape...yours just looks fair.
You now have a little history.
Nick White
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
Nick
My name is Alan Sibley and I have one of your family's high chair that folds down into a play table. My grandparents bought it for me for my first christmas in 1947. I am 62 now and the the high chair has been thru my three sisters, my nieces and nephews, daughters, and now my grandchildren. The picture on the back is a teddy bear and bunny rabbit in a spoon. The chair is still in good condition, but is missing one of the wire with wooden balls on the play table part. My email address is [email protected] if you would like a picture of it.
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
Thanks for this post. I like knowing this bit of history. Any idea when the chairs began to be bilt with a plastic tray? I think mine had a couple kids and a big teapot decal, but I'm not certain. I am cleaning up the hi chair for my granddaughter to use. It has more sentimental value than any yard-sale find. My younger sisters and my own four kids used the chair. Now, with a new padded cover and several added safety straps, it will serve a third generation.
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
We have one of the high chairs from the Williamsburg Factory. It has a teddy bear and yellow duck on the back. It is in very good condition, however it is missing one of the "clamps" under the tray, and also the strap that goes between the legs. We are trying to restore it for our granddaughter.
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
thanks for the fyi,i also got one of the high chairs recently and i was wondering what the wheels are on the back?i didnt want to break anything so if
you could let me know i would be grateful. Melissa
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
Like many others i saw this chair at a sale in Brookville, Indiana & just had to have it for my daughter. It wasn't until I got it home that i seen the stamp under the seat of the chair.
So of course i thought i would try & get a little history on it, but reading your story i got much more! Your grandfather sounds like he was a very good man. Its sad that people dont help each other out like they use too. The world would be a much better place.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
i just needed to write and say what a wonderful person your grandfather was! he was actually an angel on earth to have helped all those people with their homes and families. i also, have one of the convertable highchairs that was my brother's (born 1947). it is now mine, since he and my parents have all passed. thank you for the history of this ahead of it's time invention. may your memories of his past be a blessing to you and yours.
lynne
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
Nick, Don't know if you'd see this message in the reply option. I just posted a new comment earlier. Hopefully, you will see this. thanks
Would you have access to the plans for the high chair/play table that could be sent to us? My husband is retired and needs a project. He feels this one would be within his capabilities.
It sure looks like there are those of us out here that have fond memories of this particular childhood product. It's a memory we'd like to pass on to our children. We lost our mother 23 years ago and in the months/years thereafter lost the whereabouts of our family's high chair. We are looking for a replacement at antique and thrift shops.
Thank you and your family for such a great chair/table. We live in Boise Idaho, so your family has touched those far and wide.
Sandra
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
We have a childs rocking chair and the tag (on the seat bottom) says Chair Factory inc. Williamsburg , Ohio
"No. 128
(also with 128, in grease pencil on the seat botton)
Fin: Cherry
( with the word Cherry stamped in the center of the tag)
My question is if you know where I can find if
the wood is cherry or just the finish?
Any response would be much help in restoring this vintage chair my wife received as a baby in the "50s.
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
I have a Williamberg high chair that folds into a desk for sale. All pieces are there and is in good condition. can still see the bears.
Make an appropriate offer and pay the shipping and I would be happy to pass it on to you.
Can reply to me at [email protected]
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
My dad got this same chair when he was born in 1943- He had several older sisters who "charged admission" for people to come and see the new baby, they took that money and bought this highchair for him. It was passed around our family and eventually my son used it when he was a baby 1995-97 before he outgrew it. It had been refinished over the years, and after my son used it, I had it refinished again- it now sits as a display piece in our dining room. The only missing things from it are the decal of the teddy bear and the very bottom piece of the foot rest. It still has the wooden tray and leather strap.
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
How lucky those people were to work and know your grandfather! I think he was an "angel" on earth! I feel very lucky to know this history of MY high chair.
After my parents' death I brought the chair back to my house just last year. They had lived in Indiana on a farm and took good care of everything they owned. The chair is in excellent condition.
I am 64 and my husband just finished a light sanding, and polyurtheraning the high chair! . He is out now trying to find a spring for the one tray slide and I am making a new safety strap so our grandson does not slide out the bottom! William just turned 1 so he will be able to sit and join us at the Christmas table!! Thank you.
Again, I am very happy to know about your grandfather. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas.
Jan
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
Nick,
Would you have access to the plans for the high chair/play table that could be sent to us? My husband is retired and needs a project. He feels this one would be within his capabilities.
It sure looks like there are those of us out here that have fond memories of this particular childhood product. It's a memory we'd like to pass on to our children. We lost our mother 23 years ago and in the months/years thereafter lost the whereabouts of our family's high chair. We are looking for a replacement at antique and thrift shops.
Thank you and your family for such a great chair/table. We live in Boise Idaho, so your family has touched those far and wide.
Sandra
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc., ...
I am in need of a replacement tray for a Safe-T-Bilt HiChair that was used back in the late 40's and early 50's and made by the Williamsburg Chair Factory, Inc. of Williamsburg, Ohio. Does anyone know where I could find one?
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc.,...
My dad got this same chair when he was born in 1943- He had several older sisters who "charged admission" for people to come and see the new baby, they took that money and bought this highchair for him. It was passed around our family and eventually my son used it when he was a baby 1995-97 before he outgrew it. It had been refinished over the years, and after my son used it, I had it refinished again- it now sits as a display piece in our dining room. The only missing things from it are the decal of the teddy bear and the very bottom piece of the foot rest. It still has the wooden tray and leather strap.
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc.,...
I just purchased a high chair that looks so similar to this, except the decal / painting on the back appears to be a Bunny and a baby duckling wearing pajamas (with hats) sliding down a banister. Mine has no stamp or label to indicate it is a Williamsburg Chair Factory high chair. It does convert (by flipping it) to a play table or desk. I would love to know if anyone (espcially Mr. White) would be able to tell me if it could possibly be a Williamsburg chair factory Safe T Bilt high chair. My husband and I were both born and raised here in Williamsburg, Ohio and have family ties that go way back to the Chair Factory days (and beyond) but so far, nothing to confirm this chair came from that factory. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!!
Re: Vintage High Chair by Williamsberg Chair Factory, Inc.,...
I have a 3 in 1 high chair, it is also potty chair and activity table. I have not been able to find out much about this chair, would like to know when it was made, and the value. It is missing the potty and the picture on the activity table has been sratched almosto off.