Description
These are absolutely fabulous chairs. Number 51 in the Gebruder Thonet 1853 catalog; however, the ones pictured are without upholstered seats and backs. It is unknown to me whether these were upholstered originally or later. The fabric is definitely a later style. These chairs have great local Topeka, Kansas history and have been in my private collection for many years. They were originally the chairs in the Caldwell Royal Shoe Store on the West side of the 900 block of Kansas Avenue which was founded sometime in the mid to late 19th century. Sometime in the 1950s that shop was renovated and new chairs were made. These chairs were then purchased by Swans Formal Wear located at 1025 S. Kansas Avenue, Topeka for their customers and recovered in this fabulous fabric at that time. At some point the Swan family took this set of chairs to their home. I purchased these in the 1990s and have enjoyed them immensely; however, it is time for someone else to enjoy them now. Besides their glorious local history, they are gorgeous antique Gebruder Thonet chairs and anyone should be proud to own them.
