Help ID "Danish Space Age Sofa"  

Found it. It's from Overman, which was Swedish rather than Danish. A descendant of the company still makes furniture in Tennessee. There doesn't seem to be a lot of info on the original company Overman AB Tranas. Were they considered good quality?

I just saw this. Did you spring for it already? I got one of these for free from someone who just wanted it gone from their garage. Mine has the original upholstery (vinyl gone all sticky with age). I'm not so sure it's an Overman but most of the style and construction--just a styrofoam shell on a plywood base attached to the legs---is the same.

I would not get this one even at this reduced price. The upholstery job isn't top notch. The original cushions had rounded edges; they have been replaced on this one with boxed edge cushions which don't go with the curvy form of the sofa. The seams seem a bit wavy and the cushions are a bit on the narrow side; they should fit snugly up against one another.

Also, the legs are a clunky design. The earlier Overmans made in Sweden had a much more streamlined style. There are many of those around and if you're patient you should be able to find one in a fabric you like, or a worn out original at a price that makes reupholstery affordable. They're not hard to reupholster. And then you wouldn't have to settle for a color you don't really love.

I did not buy it. Once I figured out the company and how it's constructed, I realized there isn't any collector value there. At which point it becomes an expensive used couch. I also found a picture of the sofa from an earlier sale, so it turns out the upholstery job isn't as recent as the seller claims.

I do like the design and the size is good. Too bad the current Overman company doesn't make these anymore, I guess dull design is what works for their market.

For anyone searching for info on Overman. They were a Swedish firm that did relatively inexpensive furniture in the '60s and '70s based on their engineer Carl Eric Klote's process of molding the frames from EPS foam, which is covered with batting and then upholstered, usually in vinyl at the original company. This makes for a lightweight and strong frame, but enforces a lot of design limitations. They didn't employ any well-known designers (that I can find anyway), but their in-house designs were obviously heavily influenced by Arne Jacobsen.

Klote later left the company and in 1977 founded his own firm, Klote International, in Eastern Tennessee which continued to use his process. At some point after Overman AB in Sweden disappeared, Klote International changed its name to Overman International. They do a few sort-of copies of the original Overman chairs (which were sort-of copies of Danish chairs), but are otherwise unrelated other than using the late Mr. Klote's molding process.

BTW, I found this unintentionally amusing bit of '80s marketing detailing the process that Klote/Overman uses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-Z8Vk2xTWY . Check out the "strength test" at 2:40.

Spoke too soon. I checked out Overman AB's design patents and found two designers in addition to Carl Klote. The best known is Svante Sch̦blom.

"Svante Sch̦blom was educated at the "Konstfack" school of industrial art, in furniture and interior architecture, in Stockholm in the 1960's. Thereafter, he was employed by OVERMAN AB for several years as designer & product developer. OVERMAN AB became known for using new materials and production methods which previously where not commonly used in the furniture industry. The Teenager chair was designed during 1970's and it was aimed for the modern consumer wanting to meet and socialize in a relaxed way." - http://www.offi.com/designers/Schoblom.php

He also designed some stacking and dining chairs that Overman produced for IKEA.

The other designer is Robert Tillberg who later founded a firm specializing in yacht interiors. I can't find any specific designs he did for Overman.

But both of these designers were employed well after Overman started producing the Pod chairs and couches and other Jacobsen-style pieces we are talking about.

you should create a wiki page for overman. seriously. I wish more people here would do stuff like that. There is tons of knowledge here but it's as hard as herding cats to harness.

Interesting! I've always wondered how the Swedish and Tennessee Overmans are related and now I know. Thanks.

If you're still thinking about looking for a Swedish Overman sofa, do be sure to sit in one first. They're comfortable enough but they're not something you can really lounge in. They're quite an upright sofa---seat depth is not much more than a dining chair. Also the deck is plywood, not elastic webbing, and the foam cushions are only 2" thick. That's not a lot of give for a sofa seat. I think they're perfect for a large bedroom or the mid-century equivalent of a formal parlor, but not as an all-purpose sofa.

A.B. OVERMAN! yes, I'm in the U.S. Yes, I LOVE euro styling.YES, I love 70's the most.

and you people from the EU nailed it!

I own an A.B. Overman couch. http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/broncobra/media/bWVkaWFJZDoxMTI2Mzg1...

Look at my other items as well. Everything from the 70's. pop art style

Euro design is so elegant compared to the crass design of the u.s.

I have a houseful of Euro styling. All 70's. Lighting fixtures to seating. Sleek, streamlined. Sexy.

http://s158.photobucket.com/user/broncobra/library/?sort=3&page=1

Chrome and upholstry. PoP Art.

I would give my left nut for that. Have it re-upholstered in purple vinyl. Like it was meant to be.

That wool sucks, and detracts from the price and the value. Buy it cheap, and do it up right?

I would pay premium - crazy cash for a couch that size. Never seen one like that in the U.S.

Never even knew that they made them that big? Seriously. that is just amazing! I would buy it for any price.

Purple vinyl. On a huge couch - beautiful!?!? Screams 70's! PLEASE! buy it, and flip it to me? lol.

Airport furniture from the 70's lol. I LOVE IT! The purple is BEAUTIFUL! OMG! You are SO lucky

to even find something as BEAUTIFUL as this? and you are squabbling on price?

Shame on you.