Q: This Eugene Berninghaus Hercules barber chair was bought at an auction and given to us. The chair is cast iron with leather upholstery. The hydraulics work. I see many old barber chairs online, but have not seen this particular one. Can you tell me what it's worth?

A: Eugene Berninghaus established a business making barber's lotions and perfumes in Cincinnati in about 1872. He began making barber chairs and other barbershop furniture in 1875. At first the bodies of the chairs were made by other manufacturers and assembled and finished by Berninghaus. After the business moved to a larger location in 1885, the furniture was also manufactured by Berninghaus. The Eugene Berninghaus Co. was the first company to make barber chairs that reclined and revolved. The company's "Hercules" barber chair was its best-selling model. The company ceased production in 1938. Value of your chair: about $2,000.