Instead of packing their pleasingly plump pillows for travel, the who’s-who of Victorian times would cart along their comfy custom Chesterfield sofas– Sigmund Freud being in the Chesterfield carrying club.
According to Chesterfield craze sources, the uppitiest of the who’s- who had theirs made extra-long– and judged the rest of the upper crust by whether their favored velvet, silk, or leather, high-backed and button-studded behemoths fit in cronies’ and cousins’ guest wings and drawing rooms.
Because the craze outstripped production, and authenticity was an important indicator of status, skin-horse-real (read as well-used) Chesterfields might sell for more than new ones.
Yo-yos and Beanie Babies, eat your hearts out. 
This has been your Tuesday Trivia nugget.