Eames Zenith rope edge question  

Partial Rope Edge
I have a couple of partial rope edge chairs (about 8" of rope imbedded in 2 front corners only) and both have the same Zenith checkerboard label as the early chairs. The chairs are exactly like the full rope chairs in every other way, right down to the thicker edge that goes all the way around (as you say).
Because these chairs were transitional in nature, the usual assumption seems to be that they were an experimental step in between the rope edge chairs and the second generation chairs which have no rope. Therefore, they are assumed to be slightly after the rope shells.
But it could also be that they simply experimented with this version during the same time frame that the full rope chairs were in production, which would make just as much sense to me. Just because they try another way, would not require that they had to do away with the full rope immediately.
The fact that they are extremely rare makes me feel that they were produced along side of the the others. It doesnt seem like there are enough of the partial rope edged chairs to have ever been the ONLY type produced. Just my guess.
I would also like to learn more about this, if anyone has any other info, or even highly informed speculation.
They are far more rare than the full rope. Whether before or after or during, congratulations on your find!

Great information. I agree wi...
Great information. I agree with your assumptions, because I found 3 chairs together, and the others were full rope edges. So i'm guessing that all 3 were purchased at the same time. The partial-rope chair is a slightly different color and the fiberglass texture is also very pronounced and geometric, leading me to think it was an 'experiment' within the run of regular fiberglass. Amazing to look at.

interesting....
Interesting that yours arrived with two other rope chairs.
One of the ones I have was an accidental discovery (and pleasant surprise!) as I had purchased what I thought was advertised as a pair of Zenith rope shells on ebay.
Clearly a pair, but one full and one "partial" rope.
I love the forensics, thanks for the info. (Sounds like your might have been a surprise too?)

Mine was very much a...
Mine was very much a suprise. Rescued from an attic storage space, i had no idea what was under the 1/4 inch of dust. Gave me chills when i flipped them over and saw the rope edge. Brushed away the thick dust to see the sticker on the bottom. Amazing. Only today when i really cleaned them up did i notice the partial rope edge, always something new and fun to discover

Re: Fibers on partial rope chairs
I have seen no real difference in the look of the fiberglass strands in my two "partial rope" Zenith chairs. (One very translucent yellow ochre, and one opaque Sea Foam)
All the fiberglass chairs seem to have unique appearances, and a huge variety exists from one chair to the next.
The more "geometric" fiber you speak of sounds interesting. My guess is that your chair just happens to be one with more pronounced fibers that occur randomly.
(Again, just a guess. Of course I would love to be wrong on this!)
I have found the "flattest", loudest, most contrasting, and most "geometric" looking fibers to exist on a red Venice 2nd generation chair or two, and also on some of the later Summit 60's dark elephant grey chairs.
But those were a long way from the "partial rope" era.