Hey all, I recently picked up this bookshelf. The listing described it as Mogens Koch, but in doing some research I've come across some odd anomalies.
Things that are correct:
-Measurements: length, depth, even the dimensions of the boards match information given on Rud. Rasmussen's website. (27cm deep, 76cm wide, boards are 1cm thick)
-solid ash, dovetailed at the corners, solidly mortised on the shelves.
-the outer frame has a routed detail that matches images from RR.
-unit has some age and wear to it.
Things that seem a little odd:
-half-blind dovetails instead of through dovetails
-shelves change direction: 6 shelves horizontal, then three vertical.
-no labeling present
-back boards are nailed on instead of screwed on.
-shelves have regular pin-holes as if for a file insert or something.
So...what am I dealing with? A custom arrangement? A short lived variant? A well made knock-off?
As always any help is appreciated!
<img class="wpforo-default-image-attachment wpforoimg" src=" http://old.designaddict.com/sites/default/files/forum/W1rQiEf.jp 
Rud. Rasmussen is still aroun...
Rud. Rasmussen is still around, maybe you should contact them? It seems odd enough I would want pretty good documentation to believe it is a Rud. Rasmussen.
Also, the history of the company says that someone there created a dovetailing machine that was used to make their dovetails. So I wouldn't be surprised to find machine like consistency in their dovetails. The photos of Mogens Koch units suggest this is true also. This would make me think the half blind dovetails are not Rud. Rasmussen's work.
Thanks Lief
I have an inquiry out to Rud. Rasmussen - I'm hoping Google translated my bad English into equally bad Danish.
It's my understanding that half-blind dovetails are more difficult to create than through-dovetails. But I would assume both can be machined at this point.
I've seen only 2 other examples on the internet of the half-blind. Both were listed as Rud. Rasmussen, but neither had photographs of labeling.
It wasn't an expensive piece, and it is rather nicely made, so I'm not going to be crushed if it's not authentic.
Honus
You might be on to something - a came across a fleeting reference to a similar piece being 'designed by Mogens Koch and made by Heywood Wakefield'.
I still have not had a reply from Rud. Rasmussen. And unfortunately searches for Heywood Wakefield turn up virtually nothing but that godawful pink retro stuff.
I'm aware that Finn Juhl worked with Baker in the 50s to produce his work here while simultaneously having it produced in Denmark. Is it possible Koch did the same?
Are there any online references to Hey Wakes' different lines?
Heywood
Here you go. You can kind of see the dovetailing, it is more apparent in the original. Hope this helps!
http://instagram.com/p/n9xF7sKrWQ/
Book Received
I received the Heywood Wakefield book. First off - it's HILARIOUS. The commentary is really just priceless: "Nothing says casual like Captain's chairs!"
The bookshelf does appear in the Danish Casual and the Danish Modern lines. However - as mentioned above - only in a square format and then "refreshed" in the late 60s to a much more American look.
Anyone intimately familiar with HeyWake's Danish detour want to weigh in?
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