Madsen and Schubell  

Their cooperation was structured as follows. Henry Schubell, designed the majority of the models and produced the chair frames in their joint firm,”Madsen og Schubell” The chair frames were then sold to Arnold Madsen’s firm “A. Madsen’s upholstery firm” where the upholstery was done. The completed furniture was then sold to various furniture dealers as products from “Madsen & Schubell”. The cooperation between Henry Schubell and Arnold Madsen was so successful that they purchased a factory building, situated on the address “Biblioteksvej 55” on the outskirts of Copenhagen, where there was enough space for both firms. I the years from 1945 to 1963, Henry Schubell designed several chairs. These designs were named: Model 4 - 6 - 12 - 20 - 45 og 71, and furthermore a model called ”Pragstolen”. The models are as far as it has been possible illustrated with photos in appendix 1. Arnold Madsen is the designer of the models named 9 and 68. The Models no. 4 and 6 were in a period produced under license by the furniture company “Vik & Blindheim” in Norway. A series consisting of a 3 person settee, a low and high easy chair, on the basis of model no. 6, with a slight moderation of the arms was produced under license by the furniture company, Bovenkamp in Holland. In addition, Bovenkamp produced a modified model no. 20, without tilting function.

The cooperation between Henry Schubell og Arnold Madsen, was ended in 1963. Henry Schubell og Arnold Madsen continued afterwards in two separate companies. Henry Schubell established, together with his oldest son, Flemming Schubell, the cabinetmaker factory ”Schubell & Son”, situated on the address ”Almevej 77” near the town of Gilleleje. Flemming Schubell had been employed by ”Madsen og Schubell” after his apprenticeship as cabinet maker since 1958. “Schubell & Son” continued the production of chair frames for Arnold Madsen’s new upholstery firm. The production at”Schubell & Son” for Arnold Madsen, included the models 45 og 71, as well as model 68 and 75. By mutual agreement, Arnold Madsen established his new upholstery firm under the name ”Madsen og Schubell”, in cooperation with his son, Ib Madsen. The upholstery firm was established on the address ”Romancevej 27” in Herlev. In 1975 ”Schubell & Son” sold machinery and buildings at Almevej to Ib Madsen. Ib Madsen ran both the cabinetmaker firm and the upholstery firm in Herlev for some years. Ib Madsen later closed down the cabinetmaker firm and ran an upholstery firm at Almevej 77 under the name of “MS furniture”. MS furniture closed sometime in the 1980s.

Henry Schubell, alongside his work as furniture designer and cabinetmaker, was also active as an artist. He participated amongst other in the censured painting exhibitions” Charlottenborgs forårsudstilling” and “Kunstnernes efterårsudstilling”. Besides that he also participated in the art book publication ”Interessant nutidskunst” and was a member of the artists association ”De 11”. After his retirement he concentrated on his painting and was a popular teacher at a painting course for retired people.

Then there are the chairs, that Henry Schubell and Arnold Madsen designed.

Model 4: A Lounge chair with stained beech or mahogany frame. Armrests continued behind the upholstered back. Was produced in both high and low version. Production period: 1950s The model was produced under license in Norway by the furniture company Vik & Blindheim. Design: Henry Schubell

Model 6: Lounge chair with stained beech or mahogany frame. Armrests continued behind the upholstered back. Was produced in both high and low version. Production period: 1950s The model was produced under license in Norway by the furniture company Vik & Blindheim.
Design: Henry Schubell

(didn't find a picture of the matching sofa)

Here's the original Model 6 sofa.

Model 6, Bovenkamp version:

This model was redesigned and produced under license by the furniture company “Bovenkamp” in the Netherlands. The redesign consisted of a modified arm construction where the armrests were mounted on top of the side frame. This was a wish from Bovenkamp, for the sake of more appropriate packaging for overseas exports. In this connection, Henry Schubell designed a coffee table for Bovenkamp, which was marketed along with chairs and sofa. It is not known when the production of these models ceased. Design: Henry Schubell

Pragstolen: (The Prag chair)

Upholstered recliner with armrests and legs in beech. Production period: 1950s up to 1961
Design: Henry Schubell

Model 20:

This and subsequent models 45 and 71 were made with a bracket that allowed the chair to be reclined and locked in 8 different positions. The matching footstool could also tilt so that chair and footstool formed a very comfortable sitting position. The bracket was licensed from now unknown manufacturer. The footstool was upholstered, and the tilt function was like model 45. Production period: 1950-1960 Model 20 was produced under license of “Bovenkamp”, of the Netherlands, but without reclining function. Design: Henry Schubell

Model 45

A lighter version in light oak, but with the same reclining function as model 20. Light oak frame with loose cushions. Production period: 1960s

Design: Henry Schubel

Model 71

Further development of model 45, with modified frame and laminated back in light oak. This model was also designed as a sofa, but without a tilt function. Production period: 1970s. Design: Henry Schubell

Model 68 Upholstered recliner with wooden covered base frame. The seat shell was made up of a welded steel pipe frame, covered with thin veneer sheets. The chair could both turn and tilt. The turning / tilting bracket was developed by Arnold Madsen Production period: 1970s

Design: Arnold Madsen
Model 68 Upholstered recliner with wooden covered base frame. The seat shell was made up of a welded steel pipe frame, covered with thin veneer sheets. The chair could both turn and tilt. The turning / tilting bracket was developed by Arnold Madsen Production period: 1970s

Design: Arnold Madsen

Model 75 Upholstered recliner with wooden covered base frame. Same turn / tilt function as model 68 Molded upholstered arms. Production period: 1970s

Design: Ib Madsen

At least two Models are missing. First theres Model 12.

A low upholstered recliner with teak legs and teak arm panels, folded in the upholstery. The model was in production from the late 1950s to 1962.

Design: Henry Schubell

But it has not currently been possible to find photos of Model 12.