Doll-Size Rocking Chair

Q:         I inherited my grandmother’s doll-size rocking chair, which has been in our family for years. It’s made of a dark wood and is just 16 inches high. The back and seat are made of one continuous piece of thin wood attached to the frame with brass tacks. The back has a punched-hole design that includes the word “Pet” in capital letters and the letter “Y.” The seat has a punched square with a star in a circle inside it. Can you tell me who made this chair and how old it is?

A:         Your chair was made by Gardner & Co., which was founded in Clarksville, N.J., in 1863. Gardner was granted several patents for improvements to chair seats and frames. Chairs with perforated plywood seats were made in full size, child size and doll size. The “Pet” chair was also made in a non-rocking version. The company was in business until about 1888, when the factory burned down. Your chair was made between 1871 and 1888. The value of your doll-size chair is $100 to $125.