Magic Box Desk - Wooton, Mummenthaler & Meier, and Taiwan  

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@ball-2. Thanks. Now we have 2 dates ,based on the press releases; 1949 and 1954.

Up to this point, all we have found are desks in the style of Mummenthaler & Meier, made in various countries and generally from the 60's/70's.

That's great, lets hope the label can reveal more.

Speak again on Tuesday.

W

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The same label but I've just turned it around

I hope that helps Lexi, let me know what you come up with.

If what I've found on the makers of my one is correct it seems it was made in Herford Germany.

Posted by: lexi

@mark737. Today I decided to do some research into  Mummenthaler and Meier.

So far I have found no images with a label nor any catalogues. However,I did find this link which shows ( stand 6) they designed some interiors at an exhibition in Basel in 1930; https://ein-haus-woba.ch/en/woba-1930/.

Further googling led me to archives with some of their designs. still no Magic Box Desk.

I read through a complete E-doc about this exhibition whose remit was to show furniture for smaller living spaces that were practical ( ie; multipurpose) and reasonably priced as part of a new design approach. At the time it had a lot of critics who felt this was leaning towards socialist ideals; this was an era of mounting tensions after all ! Still no Magic Box Desk images. In fact I could find very few photos of the exibits/showhomes.( I could probably do with an assistant who is au fait with modern technology search methods!! ) Their 3-M series of wardrobes/cabinets from the 30's are well documented.

So we have a big GAP in the information, especially with regard to dates of production as well as documentation. I personally think the German company were 1st to produce this desk,albeit at a much later date( ? 50's); the style is heavier/more substantial looking ,one could say more "old-fashioned"and has some nice details with regard to the side panels and the internal partitioning. I also think their version had the wooden light. And IF this was an original design by Mummenthaler and Meier, their interpretation is most likely the closest facsimile.IMHO

All of the other productions have "simplified " the design to reflect changing styles in the 60's.

 Have a good weekend. Time for a glass of  wine .

ps; on a side note ; we both have profile pics of dogs 😀 😎 .The one on the right in mine is called LEXI, go figure and the one on the left is ABBY. 

 

 

Well after reading the post again it seems you were spot on Lexi....well done with the research, it was exemplary!

And now that I own one it's an important thread.

@ball-2. Thank you for posting the label images and that newspaper advert. Not too shabby at research yourself 😉 

Enjoy your " hausbüro" and have fun stripping the paint off!! It will be worth it,I'm sure

ps; I am tagging @mark737 seeing as he started this thread.

You're welcome Lexi and I'll be sure to post images once I've gotten the paint off.

Thanks @lexi , looks like you were correct about Stranghoner being the likely first producer.  And thanks @ball-2 for the brochure and label.  "Ordnung and Ubersicht" - sehr Deutsch! 

Hello again

As promised the end result of getting all that paint off.

I hope you like it

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