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Eames Zenith Chairs: Evolution Details?  

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Eameshead
(@eameshead)
Illustrious Member
Joined: 13 years ago
Posts: 1366
30/05/2011 10:47 pm  

I have an Eames rope edge "first generation" Zenith chair, and two second generation Zenith chairs with no rope. The two chairs with no rope have the large shock mounts, but have vastly different edges. One has very thick edges on the arms and back that seem to be trying to emulate the look and feel of the earlier rope edge version. The other has edges that are very thin. Can anyone give me some information as to which of these chairs might be earlier, or specific dates as to when the changes occurred? How many years were the Zenith "second generation" chairs with larger shock mounts made? And of the Rope edge chairs, which colors are the rarest? How many were made of each color? Thanks for any info you can share.


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NULL NULL
(@teapotd0meyahoo-com)
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Joined: 6 years ago
Posts: 4318
30/05/2011 10:53 pm  

Hi
They may have been manufactured using different molds. I have an early side shell (DSR) that has thick edges as well. In fact, the whole shell feels a bit thicker than usual.


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Lunchbox
(@lunchbox)
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Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 1208
31/05/2011 5:35 am  

thicker = earlier
But there is no definitive reference out there. And some characteristics and components spilled over from one generation to the next.
But to hazard a speculative albeit somewhat researched guesstimate...
1st generation '50-'53
2nd generation '53-'57
transitional '57-'59


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Eameshead
(@eameshead)
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Joined: 13 years ago
Posts: 1366
31/05/2011 7:25 am  

Thanks
Thanks to both replies so far...
I forgot to mention on my original post that the thicker (earlier?) of the two "2nd generation" Zenith arm shells has a ghost of what looks to be the shape of the Gardenia CA label on the underside. Is this consistent with the dates you mentioned Lunchbox? Maybe it narrows down the date a bit more in your opinion?
Interesting that the rope edged chairs were possibly produced for three years. I had always assumed it was just one year... thanks again for that.
I remember reading once (way way back) that the "first run" of Zenith chairs was only about 2000 chairs in six colors. But I never could figure out if that was whole production for the first year, or just the first batch, or what.


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Lunchbox
(@lunchbox)
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Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 1208
31/05/2011 7:41 am  

Actually, I guess I should clarify...
By my assertion, the rope edged chairs were only really produced into '52 and the second generation through '55, maybe '56. So I guess I should've worded that differently And the latest transitional shell I've ever seen or seen documented is '59.
But there's the question of when they were dated and whether it actually correlates to date of birth. I mean, who's to say whether they ink stamped the chairs in California upon production or rather after shipping and possibly selling them in Michigan? There's just no authority out there to clear that up.
If it's the red label you're referring to on your chair, it's pretty safe to say it's '53 or thereabouts.


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Eameshead
(@eameshead)
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Joined: 13 years ago
Posts: 1366
31/05/2011 7:51 am  

Thanks for the follow up...
Thanks for the follow up Lunchbox-- I love knowing this stuff, and I appreciate the info.


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Eameshead
(@eameshead)
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Joined: 13 years ago
Posts: 1366
31/05/2011 9:34 pm  

Seafoam Green anyone?
My favorite color of Eames shell has always been Seafoam Green.
Is there any info out there about rarity of colors in the rope edged chairs?
Or do we simply judge by what shows up on Ebay the most frequently?
Rarity vs popularity is always an interesting dynamic in what drives value.
I have a very rare Eames Coffee table, DTW-5 (or 50?) Same as the square dining table but with the short legs--only a few were made, but the price is not in the stratosphere. So rarity does not always equal high price.


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bamgbu
(@bamgbu)
New Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 3
14/11/2014 1:06 am  

Is this a true Eames rope edge chair?
Hello, I also have an Eames chair with what looks like an emulated rope edge, as Eameshead mentions in the original post. (Please see first picture)  After doing some research, I found other chairs that have a much more defined rope edge. (As shown in the 2nd picture.)  I was wondering if the chair shown in the first picture is a true rope edge chair or a second generation.
Thanks for your help!



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Eameshead
(@eameshead)
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Joined: 13 years ago
Posts: 1366
14/11/2014 2:44 am  

Wow, old thread!
Yours looks like a rope edge. It's pretty obvious when there is no rope.


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bamgbu
(@bamgbu)
New Member
Joined: 15 years ago
Posts: 3
14/11/2014 3:24 am  

Thanks Eameshead.


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