| Identifying Age & Styles of Kling Furniture |
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Don’t Scrap that Kling Furniture Just Yet!/Kling Drawer Pull Hardware
It is sad but true that furniture is sometimes so badly damaged that it’s unsalable. Klinginfo.com is interested in
buying drawer hardware from genuine Kling furniture that is being scrapped or painted/modernized. Depending on
the type and number of pulls, Klinginfo.com may be willing to pay between $5 and $15 plus standard mailing costs for
a set of metal drawer handles from genuine Kling Furniture. Email Jay at Klinger@ymail.com if you have old hardware
that you are interested in selling, and include a picture of the pull and the piece of furniture. We will examine what
you have and let you know if we are interested in buying it. We are attempting to build up a collection of various
hardware used on Kling pieces so we can offer to sell hardware to people who have furniture in good condition but
are missing a piece of hardware. If you are looking for hardware, consider emailing Klinger@ymail.com and let us
know what you are looking for—picture please. We can’t make any promises about if and when we will be able to sell
you a replacement piece, but that is our goal. We will keep your information on file and hopefully find a match. Your
email will not commit you to buying.
Additional Information sought by Klinginfo.com
The mission of Klinginfo.com is to continue to gather information about Kling Factories and its Furniture. While we
possess a large number of company documents and images and have physically observed many pieces of furniture,
there are gaps in our knowledge base which we seek help to fill. Please email us at service@klinginfo.com if you think
you can help us with any of the following: 1) We are looking to interview anyone who worked in any Kling plant prior
to 1962. 2) We have very little information about the World War II production of Kling Factories. We have never seen
a piece of the oak furniture produced under the war contracts. 3) We would like to see any Kling furniture from 1911
to the early 1930’s. We have images of furniture in the 1920’s-1930 era but have not seen photos of actual examples.
4) We would like to see more examples of 1930’s Kling furniture that is unmarked or marked with a round metal tag.
We have very good records but few images of the solid maple and mahogany furniture sold before World War II. 5)
We may be interested in acquiring any authentic Kling furniture documents, photos, news stories, etc. that friends or
relatives of past Kling employees may possess.
In 1962, Kling Factories was bought out by Ethan
Allen. Any burned in “Kling" drawer marker
indicates furniture built between 1962 and
1990. "Kling Colonial” was used extensively in
the 1960's and 1970's. The plain burned-in Kling
label was used more in the 1980's; the example
on the right is from a dining room set.
Allen. Any burned in “Kling" drawer marker
indicates furniture built between 1962 and
1990. "Kling Colonial” was used extensively in
the 1960's and 1970's. The plain burned-in Kling
label was used more in the 1980's; the example
on the right is from a dining room set.
PLEASE NOTE BELOW:
Many pieces will have a label in a drawer
that looks like the one below with the
number 239 on it. This is NOT the all
important suite number that is critical for
further identification
Many pieces will have a label in a drawer
that looks like the one below with the
number 239 on it. This is NOT the all
important suite number that is critical for
further identification
The suite number is found on the
BACK of furniture pieces as shown
BELOW.
BACK of furniture pieces as shown
BELOW.
With the suite number, Klinginfo.com can search
through more than 700 pages of wholesale price lists
as the example below.
through more than 700 pages of wholesale price lists
as the example below.
Above, round metal Pre-World War II drawer
marker. It was inconsistently used, but probably
represents 1937-1941. Above right, an example of
an old shipping tag stapled to the back or bed rail
of furniture. Do not remove it. It may be the only
visible evidence that this is a Kling.
marker. It was inconsistently used, but probably
represents 1937-1941. Above right, an example of
an old shipping tag stapled to the back or bed rail
of furniture. Do not remove it. It may be the only
visible evidence that this is a Kling.
Kling Furniture built 1947-1962 is consistently marked with a rectangular METAL drawer tag.
Kling brand furniture was produced in the United States in the 20th century. There were literally hundreds
of styles manufactured over the years. Many of the most popular are well known and can be documented
by the Klinginfo.com archives. We provide some basic identifying and dating information here on this page.
For definitive information, we encourage you to consider our verification and research services. After you
ascertain the age of your furniture, it will be easier to understand the potential value.
Some Important Identifying Clues to Look for on your Kling Furniture.
IDENTIFYING LABELS: Beginning with the most recent, Furniture manufactured since 1962
of styles manufactured over the years. Many of the most popular are well known and can be documented
by the Klinginfo.com archives. We provide some basic identifying and dating information here on this page.
For definitive information, we encourage you to consider our verification and research services. After you
ascertain the age of your furniture, it will be easier to understand the potential value.
Some Important Identifying Clues to Look for on your Kling Furniture.
IDENTIFYING LABELS: Beginning with the most recent, Furniture manufactured since 1962
Examples of the
1947-62 metal
drawer tag are
seen here:
1947-62 metal
drawer tag are
seen here:
Since 1962, the identifying suite and item numbers are six digits starting in 30 for maple and 31 for cherry.
Many of Ethan Allen's 1960's "Kling Colonial" bedroom suites were carried over virtually unchanged when
company ownership shifted. It is believed that the last branded Kling furniture was produced around 1990.
Many of Ethan Allen's 1960's "Kling Colonial" bedroom suites were carried over virtually unchanged when
company ownership shifted. It is believed that the last branded Kling furniture was produced around 1990.
A critical identifier for Kling Furniture is the two or three digit suite number.
With this number Klinginfo.com can often determine within a 2 to 5 year time
frame when furniture was built.
With this number Klinginfo.com can often determine within a 2 to 5 year time
frame when furniture was built.
Furniture built before World War II
(1942) is harder to identify, and some
is not labeled Kling. But look for these
clues. BELOW:
(1942) is harder to identify, and some
is not labeled Kling. But look for these
clues. BELOW:
| If you have Kling furniture and want to own documentation about the time period it was built, Klinginfo.com can often find the wholesale price list like the one pictured above. Our least expensive research documentation service would find the page associated with your furniture, create an accompanying verification statement and send it to you via email in a PDF file. (Click here for Research Services Details) Family Heirlooms?: Kling Furniture is high quality and will last for hundreds of years if properly cared for. Many existing Kling suites will be official 100-year old antiques in just thirty or forty more years. Imagine how the emotional and financial value of this furniture can be enhanced with proper identification and documents. For more information see the Research Services page or email James.Kling@yahoo.com to determine if and how the Kling furniture you own can be documented. |
Kling Furniture manufactured before the 1930's is much harder to identify.
A Kling shipping tag would be the best bet for identifying Kling furniture from the mid-1930's or earlier. Also we
have posted information in the next section on "Kling furniture styles and woods through the Years" which may be
helpful. In our archives we do have many images and some old price lists dating back to 1924, and some of
these are posted below.
Unfortunately, Klinginfo.com has no information on the furniture produced by Kling or the Chautauqua Cabinet
Company between 1911 and 1923.
If you have unlabeled (no round or rectangular "Kling" marker) 1930's or earlier furniture that you have good
reason to think is Kling, please contact archivist and researcher Jim Kling at James.Kling@yahoo.com. We would
like to see pictures of 1930's and earlier Kling Furniture and would work with you free of charge to help identify it.
A Kling shipping tag would be the best bet for identifying Kling furniture from the mid-1930's or earlier. Also we
have posted information in the next section on "Kling furniture styles and woods through the Years" which may be
helpful. In our archives we do have many images and some old price lists dating back to 1924, and some of
these are posted below.
Unfortunately, Klinginfo.com has no information on the furniture produced by Kling or the Chautauqua Cabinet
Company between 1911 and 1923.
If you have unlabeled (no round or rectangular "Kling" marker) 1930's or earlier furniture that you have good
reason to think is Kling, please contact archivist and researcher Jim Kling at James.Kling@yahoo.com. We would
like to see pictures of 1930's and earlier Kling Furniture and would work with you free of charge to help identify it.
KLING FURNITURE STYLES AND WOODS THROUGH THE YEARS.
OVERVIEW Information provided by Klinginfo.com
1924 to 1930:
Between 1924 and 1930, Kling offered furniture made of French Walnut and American Walnut and
described as “Combination Walnut;” this is a type of veneer. A typical bedroom suite in this time period
consisted of a bed, vanity, dresser and chifferobe. Kling briefly produced walnut dining room furniture
from 1927 to 1929. Below are images of Kling Furniture during this era.
Between 1924 and 1930, Kling offered furniture made of French Walnut and American Walnut and
described as “Combination Walnut;” this is a type of veneer. A typical bedroom suite in this time period
consisted of a bed, vanity, dresser and chifferobe. Kling briefly produced walnut dining room furniture
from 1927 to 1929. Below are images of Kling Furniture during this era.
The 1930’s represented a period of significant transition in the type of furniture Kling produced. The depression
created a need for less expensive woods. Maple was first offered in 1931, and by 1933 Kling was selling “solid
maple” bedroom furniture in a colonial style, and by the late 1930’s several distinct and successful solid maple
lines were offered. Veneered furniture continued to be offered in different woods, including walnut, maple, and
after 1936, mahogany. In 1938, solid mahogany bedroom furniture was introduced. Between 1934 and 1942 the
company also produced furniture that had a modern or art deco look. Some oak furniture was produced in the
early 1940’s. The company also produced desks, secretaries, high-boys, and in the late 1930’s, dining room
furniture. The solid mahogany and maple bedroom furniture in colonial style, not shown here, was carried over
nearly unchanged to the post-war period. The number of different styles and woods produced during the 1930's
was remarkable. Some examples appear below.
created a need for less expensive woods. Maple was first offered in 1931, and by 1933 Kling was selling “solid
maple” bedroom furniture in a colonial style, and by the late 1930’s several distinct and successful solid maple
lines were offered. Veneered furniture continued to be offered in different woods, including walnut, maple, and
after 1936, mahogany. In 1938, solid mahogany bedroom furniture was introduced. Between 1934 and 1942 the
company also produced furniture that had a modern or art deco look. Some oak furniture was produced in the
early 1940’s. The company also produced desks, secretaries, high-boys, and in the late 1930’s, dining room
furniture. The solid mahogany and maple bedroom furniture in colonial style, not shown here, was carried over
nearly unchanged to the post-war period. The number of different styles and woods produced during the 1930's
was remarkable. Some examples appear below.
Below, An example of one of
the many modern look Kling
suites produced pre-WWII.
the many modern look Kling
suites produced pre-WWII.
World War II Production and 1947 to 1962
During World War II, the majority of the Kling Factories' capacity was under contract to the U.S. Government to
produce oak and birch bedroom furniture in a utilitarian style. By 1947, Kling Factories was again producing well
defined lines of solid maple and mahogany bedroom sets. Dining room sets would not be offered again until the late
1950’s. The first solid cherry bedroom set was introduced in 1949, and cherry would become more popular
throughout the 1950’s. The variety of styles and suites was great, but were confined to solid cherry, solid maple and
solid mahogany. Colonial styles were perennially popular but many other suites were offered, from Queen Anne to
modern. Furniture produced between 1947 and 1962 is clearly marked with a rectangular metal drawer tag. In
many cases, Klinginfo.com can provide more precise and detailed information about a suite number. Our archives
include sales brochures, price lists and magazine advertisements, totaling thousands of images from the 1940's and
1950's. See our section on Research Services.
During World War II, the majority of the Kling Factories' capacity was under contract to the U.S. Government to
produce oak and birch bedroom furniture in a utilitarian style. By 1947, Kling Factories was again producing well
defined lines of solid maple and mahogany bedroom sets. Dining room sets would not be offered again until the late
1950’s. The first solid cherry bedroom set was introduced in 1949, and cherry would become more popular
throughout the 1950’s. The variety of styles and suites was great, but were confined to solid cherry, solid maple and
solid mahogany. Colonial styles were perennially popular but many other suites were offered, from Queen Anne to
modern. Furniture produced between 1947 and 1962 is clearly marked with a rectangular metal drawer tag. In
many cases, Klinginfo.com can provide more precise and detailed information about a suite number. Our archives
include sales brochures, price lists and magazine advertisements, totaling thousands of images from the 1940's and
1950's. See our section on Research Services.
Below, A 1924 Kling Walnut
Dresser and Mirror
Dresser and Mirror
Below, A 1927 Kling
Walnut Chest
Walnut Chest
1930 to World War II (1942)
Below, the first Kling
solid maple offering, in
1933
solid maple offering, in
1933
This style was produced in Walnut &
Mahogany veneers.
Mahogany veneers.
| NOTE: While Klinginfo.com cannot officially appraise your furniture, we can assist sellers, buyers and appraisers of furniture by determining an accurate age and provide other historical documentation to accompany a piece or suite for sale. We can often give buyers of our research a general idea of the value of similar Kling pieces and sometimes provide tips on how to advertise and sell your furniture. |
| Left, a very popular Cherry suite offered throughout the 1950's. Right, the Olde Orcharde Maple series. The colonials pictured here represent some of the most common Kling suites. However, many styles of furniture were produced by Kling in the 1950's era. Klinginfo.com Archivists and Researchers of Kling Furniture Information: 1911-1962. |
Klinginfo.com
Archivists and Researchers
of Kling Furniture
Information: 1911-1962.
Archivists and Researchers
of Kling Furniture
Information: 1911-1962.
Klinginfo.com
Archivists and Researchers of
Kling Furniture Information:
1911-1962
Archivists and Researchers of
Kling Furniture Information:
1911-1962
| For many years there was no reliable information available to the public about vintage Kling Furniture. The age and wood type were often inaccurately presented when furniture was sold. The Kling Family brought together factory documents, scrapbooks, advertising copy, and other sources of information to establish Klinginfo.com and present the information on this page for your benefit. If you found this information helpful and valuable, you can: $3 Thank You $5 Thank You Thanks! This will allow the Kling family to continue to develop and share information about Kling Furniture and Kling Factories on this website and develop publications about Kling Furniture. |
| Identifying Age & Styles of Kling Furniture |