I had to stand strong at an estate sale to obtain this incredible pair of chairs so that we could offer them to you! Identified by the tag on their underside they are by Jamestown Lounge Co. Some online research led me to a vintage print ad for Jamestown featuring this identical chair. It is the No. 672 Chair from their Ash Group and designed by Jack van der Molen. It was made of, obviously, ash and came in two finishes: tobacco or black coffee. We assume this set is in tobacco. It is comprised of an all wood frame with spindles in its back and paddle style armrests. It is fitted with a loose seat and back cushion covered in a very stylish textural stripe in neutral colors with a hint of a peach or blush stripe now and again. And…boy! Are they comfortable! They will be perfect in your mid-century home, your industrial loft, your modern country escape, or your mountain retreat.
Jack van der Molen is an award-winning gifted American designer of the mid-20th century. He was born in 1922 and is a man of many accomplishment and talents. He was awarded five Battle Stars for his actions during WWII, is a fabulous golfer winning many tournaments, and an excellent watercolorist with work in private and commercial collections. He was educated at Kendall School Design in Grand Rapids. His furniture design work successfully combines organic details with clean lines. He designed several lines of furniture for Jamestown Lounge Co. including “Americana Casual”. He even won the coveted House Beautiful Magazine “Best Chair of the Year” award for his “Grand Haven” chair for Jamestown in 1959. In addition, he collaborated with Dupont initiating use of polyester fiber in upholstered furniture. His 61 years designing for top manufacturers is celebrated by how desirable and sought after his designs are today.
Jamestown Lounge Company of Jamestown, New York was founded in 1888 by four partners. They first manufactured, obviously from their name, only lounges. These were long armless, backless, upholstered pieces with a hard roll at one end…what my mother always called a “fainting couch”. They soon added other box couches and convertible sofa beds leading into full manufacturing of all kinds of case and upholstered goods. They are famous for their Feudal Oak line introduced in the 1930s which was produced for decades. In the 1950s designer Jack van der Molen helped keep them in the publics eye and homes with his “Americana Casual” line plus others. They were sold in 1978, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1982, and closed in 1983.
The tag line on the vintage advertisement for Jamestown states: New Life for Tired Rooms. This still rings true today with the timeless yet modern design of this pair of chairs. Make them yours!
