Hello, first post but lurked for a while enjoying the wealth of information and discussion on the site. I have an Aalto stool that I acquired a few years ago that we have really enjoyed to the point I bought a couple more. They have turned into the most used pieces of furniture we have. The first one I purchased has a Finmar metal label with a Christie's Lot number. There is also a slight ghosting of another label. Looking online and even on design addict there is quite a bit of conflicting info on Finmar. My question is are there definitive dates of the Stool 60 Finmar production dates? Best I could find is 1933-36. I'll try to add photos.
@morini500. Welcome.
Just to set the record straight. Finmar was importer /wholesaler . They were in business from 1934-1965 with a hiatus between 1939-1949. Further info in 1st link below.
What I have found so far and perhaps you also found the same information?
Finmar was founded by Philip Morton Shand , a journalist and his fellow architectural writer Geoffrey Boumphrey in 1934 , following an exhibtion called Wood Only in 1933.It was a landmark event, which first showcased to British consumers and designers the aesthetic potential of plywood, a material previously dismissed for its cheapness. This company had exclusive rights to import Aalto’s furniture into Britain.
This link is from the "old"design addict ;
https://www.jstor.org/stable/1315947?seq=1
Found an image online showing the stool from a 1939 ( ? ) poster: mind you no date on the actual poster!! And another on Instagram of an advert from DECORATIVE ART 1938 [The Studio Yearbook Volume 33], London
And another link below , giving dates for start of production of the stool and patents applications. An interesting read.
https://www.alvaraalto.fi/en/work/stool-60/
Artek were put in charge of marketing and exports of Aalto's furniture in 1935. The company still exists so you could contact them. I should think they have an archive section.
Knowledge shared is Knowledge gained
Thanks for the response and the welcome lexi. Bad choice of words on my part, "Finmar production". I've come across some of the information but not the Finmar history and not the poster. Both fantastic. On your advise I've sent inquiries to Artek and looking that up I was linked to Aalto furniture archives. Hoping one or both get back. This particular stool believe it or not was destined for a burn scene in a TV show I was working on. All wood set dressing was getting torched in one of the final scenes of the season. A quick $30 deal with the Set Decorator and it was spared. Thanks again for the response.
@morini500. Glad to be of some help. Let us know if you hear anything.
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