here is the response...
Hello Joann,

You did, indeed, find a beautiful chair. I am especially glad you sent your pictures for our web page as this is the first chair we have seen with the Sikes name spelled out completely across the back and not just on a medallion or adjustment knob.

The web site for these Sikes' chairs contains all the information we currently have about the history of the chair company. It includes information from a letterhead, an obituary of one of the founders, and a letter from a descendant of one of the company founders detailing what he knew. Please check the front page of the web site for these items. http://sikes-sykesfamilies.rootsweb.com/furniture.htm
One lady has sent photos of her grandfather at work in the factory and I will try to get those pictures added to the site soon.

I have often wondered if Ralph and Terry Kovel, experts on antiques and collectibles, could offer more insight into the chair company and your email has prompted me to contact them. If they can offer any new information, it will be added to the front page.

When I get your photos added to the site, I will send you a note. Thank you, again, for sharing your special chair.

Diane Scannell

I sent her three more close-up photos this morning,
here is one of the brass mechanism.

GREAT find, Joann. We have an old oak chair for our desk, but it doesn't swivel and is less valuable that the one you've found. It doesn't really go with our cherry desk, either, but I don't care because I love it. In general, I'm not a fan of oak, but a great piece is a great piece--and you've got one there!

Thank's OS. This chair is not oak, I have it posted on two woodworking forums that I belong to, and so far the wood has not been identified. This I find odd, as the forum members work with every kind of wood imaginable, as well as exotic wood.
I wrote the lady back telling her I am interested in the wood identification.
This chair swivels all around is adjustable up and down and the back is adjustable as well, it pivots back and forth. It's a sweet little chair, and I may just leave it the way it is!
I do have to clean the brass mechasism underneath though, as it is still home to the resident spider (Charlotte) that came with the chair :)

If this chair is truly a rare antique, I would NOT refinish it. That would devalue it. I think it looks great as it is and would consult an expert on how to clean it.

Hi Joann,
All I can say is WOW. It goes so well with your desk and has a great history. Nothing like those garage sale finds. Kareen

dilly dally, yes I agree, I am getting use to the color and think the contrast is nice.

My son was here this morning to pick up his pup. He was the one that noticed the stamp...I told him that I wrote the Sikes co; this morning for information on the chair. He quipped, "Oh, maybe they'll tell you -- this is the chair # 12-29 that we made for Elvis Presley 40 years ago! I cracked up!

Joann... still laughing!

Oh that's a beauty! Looks like somebody will have to move though before you can get the new chair under the desk!

That's a fantastic find! Congratulations. It's really lovely ...

Wow, how exciting! The wood grain is just amazing. Maybe you need to bring it to an Antiques Road Show event and meet the Kovels personally!

What a great find! IT reminds me of the old school marm chairs from back in my grammar school days. Chair is probably that old. :)

What a wonderful find! I'm not sure what the wood is but I sure wouldn't strip and restain it. That's a real beauty just the way it is. Let us know what you find out about it, will you?
Lynn

What a treasure!

Way back when.... In my "I was a little girl" time, both sets of Grandparents had these chairs.
I always heard of them called 'Banker's Chair'.

I've been wanting one for my computer area without the arms for several years but so far have refused to pay the price for a new one. Craig's list hasn't had any listed that weren't already half trashed (broken leg, no wheels, broken spring, etc.)

I was dropping off things at GoodWill last month and low and behold, a Banker's Chair!
I turned it over, all the mechanics looks good. I sat in it, leaned back, spun around and felt like it was custom made for my beeeehind, sooo comfy even without any cushion.

I was in the car so I ran home to get the truck.
I wasn't gone 20 minutes and by the time I got back it was sold.
GW wanted $21 for it.
I should have paid for it before I left to get the truck.

I see this treasure you found and I am sooo green with envy and could kick myself for not paying for the Banker's Chair first. Live and learn but boy Joann, cherish that chair!

I think it is chestnut. The grains are similar. I would not strip it. Maybe just clean it up a bit if it needs it. What a great chair. How fun they have posted historical photos on their website. I love the brass mechanism on the bottom. Great find.

What A Beautiful Find...I agree >> Don't Strip It!!.. Just clean it up and maybe give it an oil rub or paste wax finish >>> And Enjoy it...

Jane

Chair goes well with your old desk. I can't remember the name of that kind of desk, geez. What's it called again?

And your little Boston Terrier is a doll.

.....Jane

Wow, you and your beautiful finds. That's a great chair. I hope you find out it is a priceless antique!

Thank you everyone for the kind comments.
Yes, I'll have to leave it alone, hubby wants to polish up the brass, and I think we'll just wax it.

amity, what you describe happened to a girlfriend of mine, we went shopping and found a drop dead gorgeous chair for her living room (I believe it was a floor model) in a nice furniture store... She put down a deposit for them to hold it for her, and they put a sold sign on it. When she went back with her hubby that night it was gone! Evidently someone ripped off the sold sign and they sold it! Ever since then, if I buy something I can't bring home immediately, I make them move it to the back storage room.

newdawn, it's a roll top desk.

Lynn, I keep y'all updated on what I find out about the chair.
Joann

The grain is outstanding! I love reading stories like yours. What a wonderful find!!

Beautiful chair! I know it is tacky to ask about what you paid, so I won't, but did you at least get a good buy?

amity - I am so sorry that happened to you. $21 was a good bye. Think I will have to go check out the Goodwill store.

newhomebuilder, To say it got a was a good buy is a gross understatement... I paid 15.00! There were a lot of people at this yard sale, so nobody else had -- what my son calls 'the vision'. I knew it was a good ol' chair the moment I saw it. It was at the end of the driveway, so many people walked right by it. I spotted it as soon as I pulled up. It was what my little grandson calls a "Happy Day!" :)

WOW!!!

I bought the below chair at my neighbors garage sale for $10. Turns out that it was my neighbors childhood chair. I couldn't believe that he sold it! Bless his heart, he recently died.

I am not a wood expert but I think that maybe the wood grain looks so different is because it is made from harvested old growth wood. Given the age of the chair this is entirely possible. Old growth timber that is coveted was grown in the north in very cold conditions. It grew slowly and has a very tight grain and looks very different from the same timber that would be grown today. Maybe something to look into?