I have a Zenith rocking chair. I know that its all original and old (from the person who owned it previously). But the worth of these chairs seems to vary greatly depending on age, 1st production, etc. I'm willing to guess this is a rarer early model? The color is great. It seems like a lot were produced without the cover? It doesn't retain any original labels as far as I can tell. Any input would be greatly appreciated. - Caitlin
PS. Appears to be a Rope Edge one? The birch runners also appear to be the earlier rounded edge?
<img class="wpforo-default-image-attachment wpforoimg" src=" http://old.designaddict.com/sites/default/files/forum/IMG_7022. 
Some detail photos of bottom...
Some more photos of the bottom. I DID notice there was a mark, in the middle of the bottom. the triangles... now that i look at it, the fiberglass is sort of powder coated. But the previous / original owner bought it new, in the 50s, I THINK. and they never did anything to it, I can't imagine.
For your reference
A page from the Eames Office with some good information on the early upholstered shells. The shockmounts on your chair appear to be the later type. Some upholstered shells were painted from the factory.
http://www.eamesoffice.com/vintage/worksheet_detail.php?id=7
Spinario
When coming here...
Spinario
When coming here to ask for advice, I suggest you stay around long enough to listen to the opinions of the addicts, before you go on to list your chair as a early Zenith rocker on Ebay...
Like Mario pointed out, your chair does NOT have the large shock mounts OR the early 'rounded' runners.
You claim the chair has a rope edge. Have you taken off the cover to confirm this? I have never seen a rope edged shell, with the small shockmounts (which your chair has). Maybe you mistake the edging of the cover for the rope?
The only advice you have taken is that the chair is from around 1954, which is probably right. It is still a pretty early chair with the painted back and early type of cover and it's nevertheless a really nice chair.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Eames-Rocker-Herman-Miller-Zenith-Rocking-Shell-Chai...
I smell a rat
Or at least someone being willfully ignorant in the interest of profit.
Is it just me or does that rocker base look remarkably well preserved for being 54 years old? I mean - no chips to the enamel, no weird little rust spots, a perfectly even matte finish. The rockers have a little bit of wear to them, but not nearly the amount you'd expect from 54 years of contact with ANY kind of flooring.
This is clearly NOT a Zenith shell. The small shockmounts, the mysteriously absent rope edge, and the fact that its marked with double triangles - the logo of Summit Polymers Inc. Injection Molded Thermoplastics, of Kalamazoo, Michigan. They were one of the many companies which produced shells for HM after Zenith.
sorry
I made the correction on the listing about 12 hours into the listing once I realized I was wrong. I mis-understood the earlier references. As for being a rat, I'm a 24 year old artist who is selling this for an elderly client. I don't stand to make any profit at all! If I didn't care about being correct, why would I ask for advice in the first place.
Don't take it personally...
Don't take it personally Spinario.
I just get tired of Ebay sellers constantly misrepresenting their items to crank up their prices. An ordinary Eames rocker is a 'Zenith-Rocker' more often than not these days. Just like anything with chrome is 'probably' designed by Baughman and wrought iron is 'in the style of' (at best) Grossman, Schindele and TP...
Good luck!
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