The Rare Vintage Find That Could Be Worth Picking Up At Your Local Thrift Shop

If you like to look for the most valuable items in thrift shops, there's one rare piece you're going to want on your radar: a Koken barber chair. These utilitarian chairs are classic, highly sought-after, and can get you a nice chunk of change too. Although there are many vintage chairs you shouldn't overlook at thrift stores, these chairs are extra unique with their history and features. Koken barber chairs are beautifully crafted from top to bottom, consisting of metal, leather, and other fine materials. The fact that they aren't just ordinary chairs makes them even more irresistible, as they have a rich purposeful history.

If you've visited a barber or hairdresser, you're probably used to sitting in chairs that can be adjusted through a hydraulic system. This brilliant design came from a man named Ernest Koken, who patented his invention in 1892. In addition, Koken is also credited with other upgrades to the barber chair, such as being the first to construct barber chairs with the ability to recline, thereby making shaving a much easier process. Koken's chairs were not only innovative, but also known for their beauty and high-quality craftsmanship.

Having a barber chair could be pretty neat on its own. After all, they're quite comfortable, and it would be a great conversation piece if you were to set one up in your living room. But if you find an official Koken barber chair at a thrift store for a good price, you might want to consider selling it instead. They're worth a lot of money online, ranging from $500 to over $6,000, depending on the condition of the chair and the year it was made. These barber chairs are racking up a lot of money on sites like eBay. For example, a near-perfect 1920s version may be priced at over $3,000, while another chair, perhaps in not so excellent of a condition, can still sell for more than half this amount. Even more coveted models from the 1950s can sell for over $6,700.

Of course, none of this will matter much if your chair isn't authentic. If you want to determine if you actually found a genuine Koken barber chair, there are some signs to look out for. A Koken barber chair is constructed of high-quality materials and will likely catch your eye, even in a cluttered shop. The authentic, heavy-duty chairs will have the Koken name on them, which can clearly be seen in the stunning metal features. If you find a Koken chair that doesn't have the hydraulic lifting mechanism, it's a sign that it could come from the 1880s. Be sure to search for a serial number as well to help determine the age and model of the chair. This just goes to show that there are all kinds of amazing pieces of furniture to buy at thrift stores.