Monitor Furniture Company started in New York and specialized in colonial American furniture created with solid wood materials.
Although the company has since gone out of business, its pieces are popular among vintage and antique furniture collectors. Monitor made historically inspired pieces as well as traditional adaptations.
Like many other New York State Furniture Companies, like Stickley Furniture and Harden Furniture, Monitor Furniture has a devoted following. Many people collect these incredible cherry and oak pieces by Monitor and pass them on to their children and grandchildren.
About Monitor Furniture Company
Monitor Furniture Company started in 1919. The company specialized in colonial and early American style pieces. They also produced a smaller line of historical reproductions in various historical styles, ranging from 18th century to about mid-19th century styles. The company went bankrupt and closed during the 1980s.
History of Monitor Furniture Company
The Monitor Furniture Company found its start in beautiful Jamestown, New York. The company started in 1919. Of course, the company’s early furniture catalog consists primarily of large statement pieces. Monitor made large cherry wood cabinets and tables. However, by the 1930s, the company began to produce a wider variety of items for many other rooms in the home.
It was during this time period that the company also began to ramp up its production of historical replicas. Monitor produced a range of replicas, from specific 18th century pieces to replicas of Victorian-era furniture. Although their historical replicas were never as popular as their original designs, the demand for these adaptations allowed the company to maintain a separate staff until at least the 1940s.
Although the company was well-known for their high quality colonial-style furniture, demand for colonial styles began to wane during the 1950s and 1960s. Sales of Monitor Furniture Company pieces began to decrease, and the company struggled to keep up with its financial obligations. So, Monitor started to phase out the historical replica line. Indeed, by the 1980s, Monitor Furniture had to completely end this line.
Monitor Furniture Company Products
The vast majority of furniture produced by the Monitor Furniture Company were original designs heavily inspired by 18th century colonial American furniture. These pieces were typically made with solid cherry wood and solid oak. Of course, cherry forests dot much of the wilderness of New York State.
However, Monitor Furniture Company used a variety of other materials towards the end of the 20th century when the company began to struggle financially. You may find maple Monitor Furniture as well as some walnut pieces.
Monitor furniture pieces were well-known for their sturdy and historically-based craftsmanship. Of course, many of their pieces have lasted for decades. So, a quick search of the company usually results in some success, especially in the New York area.
Tips For Purchasing Monitor Furniture Company Products
If you are interested in purchasing Monitor Furniture Company products, consider these essential tips.
Tip: Open up drawers and cabinets to spot problems before you buy.
Although Monitor Furniture Company pieces were well-crafted, vintage furniture can suffer during transport or due to poor-handling on part of the earlier owners. Obviously, humid environments cause damage to Monitor Furniture. Make sure that you open up drawers, cabinets and other moving mechanisms to look for issues or signs of poor repairs.
Tip: Research historical furniture to spot replica pieces.
You may not know whether the piece you’re interested in is an original design or a historical replica. So, research historical furniture with a similar style online to see if you can spot replica pieces. Many of the Monitor Furniture Company replica pieces were replicas of furniture held in museums or esteemed collections, so you may be able to find photos fairly easily. Of course, certain designs obviously hark to another era! Monitor’s adaptation furniture works very well in historic homes for that reason.
However, Monitor furniture catalogue also had original designs worth considering. You will find a blend of modern and traditional in most of Monitor’s dining room pieces. So, you likely can find Queen Anne and other Colonial styles of Monitor chairs and Monitor Furniture Company dining tables.
Of course, Monitor secretary desks have a nostalgic look, but with modern convenience. Indeed, often the Monitor secretary desks have deep drawers and polished brass hardware.
Remember to keep the above guide in mind when shopping for Monitor Furniture Company products.
Find the best value, worth and prices on Monitor Furniture Company pieces. The following is reference and research about Monitor Furniture from current internet listings.
Monitor Furniture Values
Likely, Monitor Furniture has not kept a high level of name recognition over the years. For instance, people recognize Pennsylvania House Furniture, Harden Furniture and Stickley more so than Monitor Furniture Company.
That said, Monitor Furniture Company produced very solid and beautiful pieces. Indeed, their construction and finish made their products well received in upper middle class homes. Especially in the New England Region, you can find vintage pieces by Monitor still have a staying power.
Likely, Monitor Furniture Company values range around the price of comparable pieces by Kling Furniture. A Monitor Furniture Company hutch could sell for between $200 and $600, depending on condition. Likewise, a Monitor Furniture Company Dining Table could bring between $400 and $800 at auction.