Well, I recognize that it's not a definitive attribution. This Krrb citation of this chair as Risom shows a different back cushion, and so might also just rely on some Risom echo chamber attributing this frame shape to him, but have a look.
https://krrb.com/posts/133708-jens-risom-side-chair-with-walnut-arms
I'm noting the dimensions, arm shape, rails under the seat cushion, and the wooden rail behind the back cushion. Whoever the designer and maker, our chairs all match in the frames.
Other images that come up when I Google Image Search "Risom office side chair arms" shows some similar legs and proportions. If they're not Risom, they're designed by a big fan, IMO.
This ridiculously priced Risom on 1stDibs has some distinct differences to our chairs, but the leg shape and overall angles are quite similar, as they are also similar in materials.
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/chairs/jens-risom-dining-side-...
So, I guess the short version is that I don't have any further evidence that serves as proof, but I have found another coincidence. An additional note, of no obvious value, is that my chair has a UNIVAC inventory sticker. If anyone happens to have access to UNIVAC's procurement records for office furniture, we might have a lead there. 🙂
I've looked around since my first post (above) and there seem to be several matching chairs on 1stdibs, etc. Most are attributed to Jens Risom. Even though I could find matches, nothing popped up that really confirmed that. The closest I could come was this old ad that supposedly shows "The Jens Risom Design showroom at the Merchandise Mart, in Chicago, in the mid-1960s." The pic is b/w but I'm pretty sure the dining room chairs are a perfect match. [Scroll about halfway down until you see the b/w pic on left and the cherry wood bar cabinet on right]. An interesting article and worth the read. I'll keep following the thread and hope someone can shed some light on the CB/GB thing. Thanks!
http://www.1stdibs.com/introspective-magazine/jens-risom/
Sorry - Here's some links to identical chairs in case I meant to add above:
http://www.originalinberlin.com/products/seating/arm-chairs/jens-risom-a...
https://www.1stdibs.com/id-f_2834932/?utm_source=contact&utm_medium=emai...
(confirmed with seller that these also had CB/GB on bottom but she didn't know what they meant)
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/seating/armchairs/set-of-four-jens-ris...
http://www.pamono.com/american-walnut-desk-armchairs-by-jens-risom-for-j...
http://mod2mod.blogspot.com/2011/09/jens-risom-chair.html
jkome, I think you have found something in that vintage catalog photo from the Merchandise Mart that exceeds my own results to serve as confirmation. Your Google-fu is supreme.
The back rail of the chair is the most distinguishing feature of this chair, with the rounded ends and the back legs being as straight as the front, only longer. The chair is exceedingly comfortable, thanks to the deep seat and the slightly angled back cushion.
Since we know that Risom has worked from a base in the US for so long, should we assume that the GB/BG mark that we're all questioning is a North American maker, specifically US?
One of the photos on the 1stdibs link you provided shows some tags on the underside. Interestingly, it's says "Risom Manufacturing/North Grosvenordale, Conn." as well as a tag that says "A Jens Risom Design" There's our proof that this is a Risom chair.
"GB" or "BG" doesn't mesh with that manufacturing tag. Hmm. What could those initials mean? Was GB/BG a subcontractor for Risom Manufacturing?
https://www.1stdibs.com/id-f_2834932/?utm_source=contact&utm_medium=emai...
Hi mcfandrew, I also found this tidbit from the jensrisom.org bio:
"By the 1960s, JRD had showrooms in all the major U.S. markets as well as overseas where the company had licensed their designs with respected local manufacturers to reduce the high cost of exporting goods. "
Don't know much about how Canada works in terms of export/imports but your North American suggestion reminded me that there is a Bogdon & Gross Furniture Co Ltd (today BGFurniture, Ltd. - Making furniture since 1927!). Maybe they licensed to manufacture the Canadian version which is why we have a lot of them in the States? Grasping at straws here I know. 🙂 Fun to speculate.
So maybe, I'd say we all have Jens Risom "designed" chairs that were manufactured "overseas" by a licensed manufacturer.
I'd also agree that they are lovely and extremely comfortable chairs as I spent most of Super Bowl 50 relaxing in one.
Thoughts?
Robert1960 suggested bgfurniture.ca. I've sent a message to them via their website to see if they knew something about this mystery mark. It might explain the remarks about MaryChantler's chairs in the original post "looking American." They might just be more generally North American (wood, manufacturing, etc.).
Yes! Thanks Robert1960! I should have gone back up the thread and attributed. Just read your earlier comment (mcfandrew) about the chair tag. Hadn't even noticed that pic--thanks for digging in and finding that. That does seem to help with the identification. I wonder if our chairs had paper tags at one point. I'm not sure if my chair was reupholstered at any point where that might have been removed. Interested to hear if BG furniture has anyone with some historical perspective. Thanks for checking that out.
Poked around a bit more and it would appear that Jens Risom Design or Design Control worked closely with Gaylord Brothers (Syracuse, NY) in creating library furniture. In browsing through some Gaylord Bros. stuff, I really didn't see anything that looked close to what our chairs looked like but there was definitely a collaboration between the companies and Risom was the "designer" for the furniture pieces. The "Informa Group" was listed but I couldn't find any pics of chairs...mostly circulation desks. I emailed the Gaylord company to see if they could confirm the furniture mark (B nestled in G with sideways diamond). We'll see what they say. If so, we've got a Jens Risom designed library chair manufactured by Gaylord Brothers. Jury's still out I guess...
Sure looks like our chairs. I'm very intrigued by the Gaylord Bros. lead--a catalog staple such as our chair (with and without arms) would have been a good choice for a library, too--sturdy construction, simple upholstery, etc., just as it's a great office chair. Some cross-listing in the three arenas (office, dining, and library) seems pretty natural. Gaylord Bros. might have been better equipped to produce a lot of chairs (the Risom, the chairs that MaryChantler posted in the original post, and everyone else's here. I can't wait to hear what your inquiry turns up. So far, I haven't heard from the Canadian company.
I have a friend who's an archivist in downstate IL, and she dug this up--no indication of their furniture mark, unfortunately, and too early to show MCM-style pieces.
She said, "Yes, it was Gaylord Brothers, est. 1896. They made library furniture and supplies. Bought out by Demco in 2003, it just recently reduced its focus to archival products only, hence Gaylord Archival. Was looking for vintage catalogs, but only found this one from the 30s."
http://www.ebid.net/us/for-sale/gaylord-bros-1938-planning-equipping-mod...
Further validation of the provenance of these arm chairs: I spotted two of them on Mad Men last night (S7 E11). Of course, we can't get a look at the underside to see about the manufacturer's mark. I think jkome is probably right about Gaylord Brothers, but we have yet to get proof that this diamond mark is theirs.
Anyway, enjoy the luscious colors in this screen shot. You can see the pair of Risom chairs back to back in the center of the shot.
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