AboutFred Taylor Expertise I will attempt to answer questions about American antique furniture, including construction details, style, period, manufacturers, care, repair and storage. I do not have any background in appliances, musical instruments, sewing machines, lighting and clocks and will not respond to quesions about those items.
Experience I ran an antique furniture restoration business for twenty years. I am a nationally syndicated columnist on the subject of antique furniture for such publications as Antique Week and New England Antiques Journal. I have produced one video on the subject of furniture identification and my book "HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE" is now available.I have also published articles in Antique Trader, Chicago Art Deco Society, Northeast Magazine, Victorian Decorating and Lifestyles, Professional Refinishing, Antiques and Art Around Florida and Antique Shoppe. You can visit my website at www.furnituredetective.com
Education/Credentials BSBA Finance, University of Florida, MBA Finance, University of Florida
Have only seen this in an old 1913 Sears catalog about 10 years ago but it was not exactly like my sofa which has been in my family a long time. Could you help identify this piece and how much it might be worth for replacement on homeowners policy? I could not download more than one picture. I am sending the front view but the back has two panels the same size as the arm rests on front view and when opened the back lays down to make a double size bed. I will be glad to send more pics if you can tell me how. Thank you very much for your assistance, I have tried for a long time to find an expert that could help.
Answer Virginia - In the early 20th century converible sofas like yours were called a lounge or bed lounge. One of the famous lounge makers was the Naperville Lounge Co of Naperville, IL just outside Chicago. It was so successful it became one of the largest bed lounge makers in America furnishing convertible beds to Sears and many department stores. Eventually the manager of Naperville Lounge, Peter Kroehler, bought the company and it became Kroehler Manufacturing Co.
The bed is a good example of early 20th century ingenuity and enterneurship. In good condition it would sell at auction in the $250-$400 range.
![](javascript:displayImg('http://z.about.com/w/experts/Collectibles-General-Antiques-682/2009/07/Couch-bed.jpg','Couch bed','Front of old couch that when back"wings" are opened lays back into a bed.'))