Theo A Kochs barber chairs are one of the oldest barber chairs in the United States. Starting their journey in 1871, the Chicago-based company produced improvements and modifications on the chairs designed by Berninghaus Co. and Archer Company. The demand for antique Kochs barber chairs is still on the rise due to their high-quality materials and sturdy build that have survived to date.

Apart from complete antique chairs, their chair parts are also easily accessible in the market. A quick search on Google for "Kochs barber chair parts," and you can find hundreds of results that you can choose from. This article will discuss Theo A Kochs barber chairs' history and features and exactly where you can find them.

History of Theo A Kochs Barber Chairs

The Theo. A. Kochs Company was established in Chicago during the late 1800s (estimated to be around 1871). According to its Spring 1888 catalog, its factory was situated far north of the Chicago River. According to them, they had the largest and the most complete factory at the time of their operation. They used modern pieces of machinery to reduce production costs and time.

They usually enhanced the successful barber chair designs from St. Louis-based Archer Company and Cincinnati-based Eugene Berninghaus. Their designs were popular in the market and sold their first ten thousand units in a short amount of time. Later they also expanded their business to making other barbershop supplies such as stools, barber poles, mirror and dressing cases, mug cases, shelf cases, cabinet brackets, work-stands, wash-stands, hall racks, towel cases, and looking glasses. All of their products carried the engravings of their brand name.

Features of Theo A Kochs Barber Chairs

The earliest models from the company had wooden frames and leather upholstery. As for the type of woods, they chose walnut, mahogany, and cherry mostly. Their chairs also had decorative ornamentation. The earlier models named No. 9, No. 5, or No. 25 had separate footstools. These models did not have any feature to adjust the height. Instead, an accessory was available for purchase that would allow the barber to adjust the height.

The design of their No. 9 was exceptional and exciting. It was made from Cherry and had Mohair plush upholstery. The No. 40 had a folding design that occupied a small space and weighed less than 25 lbs. The chair was made for easy transportation for soldiers or barbers who travels across the country during summer.

Where Can You Find Theo A Kochs Barber Chairs

Collectors and barbershop owners highly adore Theo A Kochs barber chairs. These antique barber chairs' value range from $300 to $3500. The e-commerce site eBay is one of the best sources to find Kochs barber chairs. Hydraulic chairs with all working parts and in good condition are sold for around $1500 on eBay. Chairs manufactured at a later date or those which are missing parts or have become rusty are sold for about $500 on eBay. These antique chairs are also sold at auctions. A 1922 chrome, porcelain, and velvet restored barber chair sold for $1500 at auction in 2013. You can also find Kochs barber chair parts on eBay, which you can use to restore an antique barber chair that is missing parts.

Theo A Kochs barber lead and shaped the barber chair industry of the 19^th century that was later succeeded by other renowned companies such as Koken and Emil J. Paidar. If you happen to have a Kochs barber chair in possession, take proper care of it to maintain its value. If it is damaged, you can also restore it to preserve this elegant piece of art.