Mid 20th Century John Stuart Mid Century Modern Danish Wingback Club Lounge Armchairs & Ottoman – 3 Pieces

Very comfortable mid century modern John Stuart Eames style swivel wingback arm chairs and ottoman.

John Widdicomb Company: Stuart joined the John Widdicomb Company of Grand Rapids in 1929 as sales manager and minority owner. He became majority owner in 1939 and was President by 1943 and then later Chairman of the Board. Stuart died in 1966 and his family sold their majority interest in the company in 1969. The Widdicomb Furniture Company, by the way, was a separate company started by John Widdicomb’s father. Known for their modern lines by designers like Nakashima and Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture was eventually purchased by the John Widdicomb Co in 1970, and since 2002 has been part of Stickley.

John Stuart Inc: Sometime in the early 1930’s, John Stuart Inc. was formed. A catalog from 1935 lists a factory in Grand Rapids and showroom in New York City on 4th Avenue. There is no record that there ever was a John Stuart Inc. factory in Grand Rapids. It’s possible the “factory” was really the John Widdicomb Co., which he co-owned and worked for at the time. The 1935 catalog contains mostly traditional styles, with one modern collection under the headline: “Is Modern Furniture a Fad”. At least some of the modern pieces are said to be designed by a “Swedish artist”. I can’t tell when John Stuart Inc. went out of business, but their contract division, John Stuart International, was around until at least 1977.

The Danish Connection: Sometime in the mid-1950’s John Stuart Inc. started importing and selling Danish furniture, mostly made by France and Daverkosen/Son, and some by Soborg Møbler. Interestingly, a 1954 John Widdicomb catalog also included the Kindt-Larsen “Fireplace” chair.

American Furniture: John Stuart Inc sold modern styles made by Johnson Furniture of Grand Rapids (including designs by Paul Frankl), and Mount Airy Chair/Furniture Company of North Carolina. Mount Airy made the Finn Juhl-style chairs and case pieces for Stuart that are often misattributed.

Dimensions:
31″ x 31″ x 34″ h x 17.5″ seat height, Ottoman 22″ x 15″ z 12″