Ain't they just spectacular even as is? The Girlfriend and I were headed to the Drive In movies in Belleville when just seconds before passing the off ramp I decided to take the "long way" since it passes a Goodwill along the way.
This is a "suburban" Goodwill and not a place you'd expect to find anything vintage...much less
vintage modern! To be fair these Goodwills are a great place to find donated Target goods at
SUPER bargain prices. But when I walked in and spotted these chairs within 5 seconds I knew
I'd struck gold. I was light headed and a little giddy with excitement. I still wanted to look around
but I didn't want to chance someone else snatching these up out from under me...so I just
dragged them up to the register and bought them right then. I felt like such a dork going back
in after having already bought these and lugged them out to the car but the Girlfriend wanted
to get a chance to look around too (don't know why...I already got the good stuff...oh yeah,
clothes). I didn't find anything else, but really...So What!
I wasn't sure what these chairs were when I bought them and we were headed to the movies. I
had a glimmer of an idea though. While waiting for the movies to start I did a little research on
my "smartish" phone. It took a while as there's not a bunch of info out there on these chairs.
But I knew I had seen these chairs before...somewhere. I was so excited that I shot Dana over
at Mid2Mod an e-mail to see if she thought my suspicions were on target. Her confirmation was
gladly accepted but I had one more authority to call upon.
While at the Drive In my initial suspicion that the chairs were designed by Paul McCobb
became more and more solidified. They aren't labeled but I recognized the design. I knew just
who to contact next. Jonathan Goldstein authors a blog (and someday a book we hear) called
Planner, Perimeter, Predictor, Paul McCobb that deals in the facts and fictions surrounding the
furnishings of Paul McCobb. His focus on McCobb is rare and seems fairly enured by both the
research and sometimes lack of information, as is the case with a lot these quests. We bumped
heads a little upon our first acquaintance but he's earned my respect and I hope the feeling is
mutual. I'm glad to know him and happy that he'll answer my e-mails. Basicly, Jonathan is the
Go To guy with Paul McCobb Questions.
I asked Jonathan if he could put together a few paragraphs of actual information concerning
these chairs. If you've read my blog much you no doubt have realized that, while I'm pretty
good at eventually identifying items...that's about as far as I go with the research and
information. Oh, I might provide a link to a Wiki page or some Google images, but hardcore
research...not my bag. I do not have the patience for it. I spread my interests to thin. Luckily we
have people like Dana and Jonathan who are capable and willing to share. Please visit their
respective blogs.
About the chairs Jonathan writes: "The Perimeter Group #2632/2633 Cane Back Arm/Side
Chairs first saw the light of day at the 1957 National Furniture Design show in Chicago which
ran from April 22 to April 27. It was the very first spring market put together jointly by the
American Furniture Mart and the Merchandise Mart. The idea was to give buyers an
opportunity to place their fall orders earlier than the Summer market in June.
One of the most interesting things about Paul McCobb's Perimeter Group is that due to low
sales and a lack of response from the public the Perimeter Group was very quickly
discontinued in the middle of 1958. But not all of the Perimeter Group designs were
discontinued, some of them, the more popular and successful of the lot, were kept in
production as a part of the Planner Group from mid-1958 onwards. The very popular asian
inspired Perimeter Group #2632 and #2633 chairs were amongst these few survivors, and
enjoyed new life as the Planner Group #1535 and #1536 chairs from mid-1958 through to the
60's."
sales and a lack of response from the public the Perimeter Group was very quickly
discontinued in the middle of 1958. But not all of the Perimeter Group designs were
discontinued, some of them, the more popular and successful of the lot, were kept in
production as a part of the Planner Group from mid-1958 onwards. The very popular asian
inspired Perimeter Group #2632 and #2633 chairs were amongst these few survivors, and
enjoyed new life as the Planner Group #1535 and #1536 chairs from mid-1958 through to the
60's."
As you can see, there seems to be something missing on the seat backs. Not knowing exactly
what I had I wasn't sure what was going on with these grooves. After finding some pics on the
interwebs (with the wrong style of caning, here's the correct caning) I realized that I had yet
another project on my hands. Someone either spent a bit of dough having the seats recovered
or spent a bit of time doing it themselves. The job looks good. Makes me wonder why they
didn't finish the job and replace the caning. It may be that they did the job themselves and just
couldn't find the caning. It's not something you'll find at your local fabric store. You can get it
online and from eBay sellers. I'm going to try to find it locally first. I've never replaced caning
before but it looks like it's just like replacing a screen in a window. Except I've heard that you
must soak the caning first so that it shrinks back up nice an taught. I like the seat covers so I'll
just clean them up and then...I think these might be keepers! The Broyhill Brasilia dining set
might be seeing it's last days...who knows.
I'm glad you contacted Jonathan, because he's definitely the one with all the McCobb info. It's so cool that you go them at such a low price. I can't wait to see them after you've replaced the cane. I actually like them better than the Planner chairs.
ReplyDeleteLove the look of them. Am so NOT into the names and designers, more of a 'I know what I like' kind of thrifter. Or does that confession make me a plain ol' junker?
ReplyDeleteWow Paul McCobb at a thrift....now that is just unbelievable. I love a lot of the Paul Mccobb stuff especially my starburst china designed by him....I have been looking for a Planner Group credenza for awhile (you know one I can afford)..this give me a little hope!
ReplyDeletewow..what a find..in a GW ...:)..u sure must have had a heady evening!! and thank u for sharing such a detailed post...i have always been in love with the MCM square caning...mystical and very classy isnt it...waiting to seehowu finish them up...mccobb...oh my i still cant believe it
ReplyDeleteSweet find! You may also have spurred my next post...
ReplyDeleteBrilliant. I can't wait to see the finished caning. My guess would be the previous owner recovered the seats themselves, other wise why not have a professional do both jobs?
ReplyDeleteThey are so elegant.
Wow, what a find! Congrats!! I love McCobb.
ReplyDeleteHey, I just ran across this set on apartment therapy that looks to be the same design:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/scavenger/paul-mccobb-bow-tie-chairs-350-chicago-scavenger-150035
Phillip - Yeah, I'd love to have the two arm chairs...or really, that whole set.
ReplyDelete