Article: Original easy chairs were built for comfort in the 18th century; CURRENT PRICES Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions. Woodstock Music & Art Fair ticket: 1969, covers three days, green with black lettering, red accents, 2 by 6 inches: $50. Holland America Cruises stuffed rag doll: sailor in navy-blue uniform, cherub face, white hat, advertising cap, 1950s, 11 inches: $65. Creeple Peeple Thingmaker set: Mattel, 1965, box, 13 by 15 by 4 inches: $90. Hamilton Beach milkshake mixer: green porcelain, chrome top and container, 1940s: $125. Lady's mouton lamb fur coat: dyed black, striped satin lining, fair labor standards compliance label, 1950, small: $225. Ken-L-Ration door push: navy ground, yellow dog, white-and-yellow lettering, 1950s: $490. Tiffany dore bronze Venetian inkstand: squared holder, hinged cover, glass inkwell, ermine border, impressed "Tiffany Studios New York 1200," 25 8 by 3 by 3 inches: $585. Anderson, Solomon wraparound hammer: S. New Berlin, patented 1845, 11 inches: $695. George Ohr pottery: bottle-shaped vase, satin glaze, mottled raspberry, purple, cobalt and green, shallow ring, stamped, 10 by 4 inches: $2,500. Limbert double-door bookcase: No. 358, overhanging top and backsplash, long corbels, two long vertical panes, paper label, on casters, 59 by 48 by 14 inches: $3,500.

Even in the 18th century, the elderly usually had the most comfortable chair in the house. The wing chair or easy chair originally was used by those who were old or infirm. It was designed for comfort.

A large space was left in the lower part of the chair back and filled with horsehair, lining and feather cushions. The front of the frame between the legs also was padded. An elderly occupant of the chair actually was seated on a fabric sling holding the softest stuffings.

The easy chair usually was kept in the bedroom, not the front parlor. Some of the chairs were upholstered with elaborate needlework. Wool, linen and patterned damask were used. Early listings of chairs mention woven ...

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