Mrs. Lounge Chair in Walnut & Vinyl by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, c. 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:George Mulhauser (Designer),Plycraft (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)Depth: 28.5 in (72.39 cm)Seat Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Please see the listing body for the full condition details.
- Seller Location:Deland, FL
- Reference Number:
George Mulhauser
Reflecting on George Mulhauser’s decades-long career conjures up images of him sitting in his well-known Mr. Chair — a luxurious reclining mid-century modern lounge chair for Plycraft made from a single sheet of plywood — and thinking to himself what mark he would leave on the world of furniture design.
Mulhauser studied industrial design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated in 1953. His early designs were quite venturesome and landed him his first design job in the Manhattan studio of architect, journalist and designer George Nelson, who was the director of design for legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.
In 1955, Mulhauser designed his now-immediately recognizable Coconut chair. Angular and visually striking, this alluring lounge chair, with its sloping molded plastic shell, was something of a prelude. Soon, Mulhauser would make the acquaintance of American furniture designer Paul McCobb. Mulhauser collaborated with McCobb on concepts for molded fiberglass chairs, and McCobb’s Origami chair for Directional would become a big hit on the mid-20th century market.
Mulhauser kept busy. In his home studio, he sketched out each furniture design on paper and then translated them to handmade scale models. Mulhauser engaged his neighbors and family in trying out his sophisticated seating and gathered feedback for improvements. He designed his Mr. Chair for Plycraft — an adjustable armchair with a seat of tufted leather that yielded a series — and collaborated with many other companies throughout his career, including Directional, Singer, Overman and the Design Institute of America. He also taught furniture design at Pratt Institute, while the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts brought him on as an instructor of 3-D design.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage George Mulhauser chairs, lounge chairs and other furniture.
Plycraft
While the history of Plycraft is marred by scandal and lawsuits, the American furniture manufacturer produced charming lounge chairs and other seating during the mid-century modern era that are sought after by collectors today.
Paul Goldman founded Plycraft in Lawrence, Massachusetts, in 1953 — he had secured military contracts for the manufacturing of bentwood products during World War II and was able to move into the commercial market thereafter. While Plycraft counted fiberglass boats among its early offerings, its primary focus switched to furniture when what we now call mid-century modernism hit its stride and more designers began to explore the possibilities of bentwood furniture thanks to the revolutionary work of Alvar Aalto and Michael Thonet. Goldman was Plycraft’s principal designer, but George Mulhauser and Norman Cherner were also enlisted to create furniture for the brand.
In 1952, a designer named John F. Pile, who was working in the studio of Herman Miller design director George Nelson, conceived what he called the Pretzel chair in walnut and birch. Pile’s seat, which was inspired by European modernist design, proved too costly to manufacture and it had structural problems. So the illustrious Michigan furniture maker subcontracted Plycraft to produce the Pretzel chair — an agreement that was short-lived owing to a dispute between Plycraft and Herman Miller.
Goldman subsequently tapped Norman Cherner — an innovative architect, designer and professor at Columbia University who was recommended by Nelson — to create an iteration of the Pretzel chair that would be stronger and cost-efficient to manufacture.
Cherner submitted a comfortable, curvaceous update to the Pretzel chair in molded plywood but was told by Plycraft that the project was being scrapped and his drawings shelved. Months later, Cherner was shocked to stumble upon his redesigned chair in a furniture showroom in New York under the Plycraft name. Cherner sued Plycraft and won — the Cherner chair later appeared in a Norman Rockwell painting on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post.
In the late 1950s, designer George Mulhauser created the Mr. Chair for Plycraft, an adjustable, tilting, swivel armchair with a matching ottoman. Mulhauser was also a designer in George Nelson’s studio and is credited with having conceived the iconic Coconut lounge chair for Herman Miller. With its tufted leather seat and shell crafted from a single sheet of plywood, the Mr. Chair lounge — part of a line of seating for which Mulhauser was commissioned — bears a resemblance to the now-legendary Eames lounge chair, which was designed by Ray and Charles Eames for Herman Miller. Mulhauser’s chair was very successful for Plycraft. A model was even spotted on an episode of Star Trek.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Deland, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- George Mulhauser for Plycraft Mr. Chair Wingback Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 1960sBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated in Deland, FLAttention collectors! Equal parts comfort and style this iconic wingback Mr. Chair, designed by the acclaimed George Mulhauser, is the epitome of functional art. In 100% original, vintage condition this ground-breaking model is practically as good as it gets for purists searching for an authentic wingback set. The shell, constructed of audaciously-shaped bent walnut plywood, has become instantly recognizable and timeless. The original Naugahyde perfectly offsets the rich walnut woodgrains and is sure to make a BOLD statement in any space it inhabits. Able to recline to a position of the sitter's preference via the hand-screwed adjuster as well as swiveling 360 degrees this extraordinary lounger is as versatile as it is visually captivating. Perfect in both the home or office settings this Mr. Chair set can blend seamlessly against a myriad of design backdrops from MCM to Modern to Minimalism. Buy it as is or have us re-upholster the chair in a fabric of your choosing. Message us prior to checkout to discuss upholstery options and make this exceptional Mr. Chair yours today. ---Dimensions--- Chair Width: 32 in / 81.28 cm Chair Depth: 32 in / 81.28 cm Chair Height: 41.5 in / 105.41 cm Seat Height: 15 in / 38.1 cm Arm Height: 24 in / 60.96 cm Ottoman Width: 25.5 in Ottoman Depth: 21 in Ottoman Height: 18.5 in Condition Details: Save for a few minor veneer repairs this exceptional lunge chair...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Bentwood Lounge Chair and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, USA, 1960sBy George MulhauserLocated in Deland, FLAs comfortable as it iconic this lounge chair and ottoman set, designed by the acclaimed George Mulhauser, is the epitome of functional art. Constructed of walnut plywood audaciously...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Tufted Mr. Chair with Star Base by George Mulhauser for Plycraft in Walnut 1960sBy George MulhauserLocated in Deland, FLEqual parts comfort and style this iconic Mr. Chair, designed by the acclaimed George Mulhauser, is the epitome of functional art. The shell, constructed of audaciously-shaped bent w...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Set of Two (2) Lounge Chairs by Patrician Furniture in Original Vinyl, c. 1960sBy PatricianLocated in Deland, FLFound in original teal vinyl. Set of walnut bases. An iconic and hard to find model by Patrician Furniture. Circa 1960s. ---Dimensions--- Width: 26.5 in / 67.31 cm Depth: 26 in / 6...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Danish Modern High Back Lounge Chair in Original Vinyl Upholstery, c. 1960sLocated in Deland, FLAn exquisite architectural design found in it's original vinyl upholstery with tufted button back detailing set on tapered walnut legs. ---Dimensions--- Width: 32 in / 81.28 cm Dep...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Set of Two '2' Lounge Chairs in Walnut & Vinyl After Jens Risom, USA, c. 1960'sBy Jens RisomLocated in Deland, FLAs comfortable as they are visually striking this stately set of arm chairs, in 100% original vintage condition, is idea for office settings. Featuri...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of Walnut Plywood 'Mrs' Lounge Chair by George Mulhauser for PlycraftBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated in London, GBA pair of American walnut plywood lounge chairs from the 1960's by American designer George Mulhauser. This larger version is seen with the more rarely wooden legs. The smaller famou...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsSilk, Plywood
- Plycraft Lounge Chair by George MulhauserBy Plycraft, George MulhauserLocated in Oklahoma City, OKThe Plycraft "Mr. Chair," designed by George Mulhauser, is an iconic mid-century modern piece renowned for its elegant, organic curves and comfortable design. Crafted from molded ply...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Mid Century 1960s Plycraft Mr. Chair Lounge Chair George MulhauserBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in Baltimore, MDFinely crafted vintage mid century, Plycraft's "Mr. Chair" lounge chair beautifully designed by George Mulhauser, for Plycraft, 1960's, swivel lounge chair. Features a stunning profi...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsNaugahyde, Walnut
- 1960s vintage Mr. Chair and ottoman by George Mulhauser for PlycraftBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in Phoenix, AZ1960s vintage Mr. Chair and ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft. This iconic mid century modern chair features sculptural bent walnut armrests and new textured leather tufted up...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Walnut
- Walnut Leather Lounge Chair by George Mulhauser for PlycraftBy George MulhauserLocated in Cincinnati, OHA bent wood walnut Mid Century lounge chair with black leather seat sitting on a chrome base . Unlike the classic Eames lounge chair this model has a spring base for movement which f...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Iconic "Mrs. Chair" by George Mulhauser for PlycraftBy George Mulhauser, PlycraftLocated in San Diego, CAIconic "Mrs. Chair" by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, circa 1960s. This is the second version of the 'smaller "Mrs." chair that was introduced to provide an alternative for women in ...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsNaugahyde, Walnut