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SIx vintage machine age 1940s metal / chrome chairs
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SIx vintage machine age 1940s metal / chrome chairs
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Six machine age all steel and chrome chairs by Arvin of Indiana, wonderful USA heartland design and quality, ca 1940
This is a group of six vintage 1940s all metal chairs, in remarkable all-original condition. These extraordinary chairs were made by Noblitt Sparks Industries, of Columbus, Indiana, under the brand name "Arvin" . They are in all-original condition, with original black and white paint overall and orginal chrome. They are extremely sturdy and very comfortable with molded seats and cradle backs. The design is probably from the early 1940s, when Noblitt Sparks first entered the metal furniture business after two decades manufacturing automobile pumps and heaters (see the company history at this location: /company-histories/ArvinMeritor-Inc-Company-History.html). The chairs are very representative of industrial design before the sweeping influence of the Raymond Loewy streamlined look and earlier than the dawn of the Eames era in the mid 1940s. Just very good and comfortable design that seems to have esthetic roots more in automobile and steel fabrication than woodworking. A second period of metal furniture fabrication was successful in the 1950s after the company changed its name to Arvin Industries, and the Noblitt Sparks Industries branding seen on these earlier chairs was dropped (see the photo of the label under one chair seat). The condition of the chairs is exceptional considering their age (and I usually don't say such things). There are virtually no dents or scratches to the metal and there does not appear to be any distortion to the metal or chrome anywhere. They sit squarely on the floor. Most importantly they appear to be easy to restore to an almost new appearance, including saving nearly all of the original paint and all the chrome. The chairs appear to have spent many decades in a very dry environment, and possibly in long term storage. The paint is very substantial, and should easily withstand a one time restoration with a mild rubbing compound, which should restore the painted surfaces to a very satisfying level of original luster. There are four places on the backs (white) and three places on the seats (black) where the paint has worn thru. These areas will need to be smoothed with steel wool and resprayed. The worst paint loss area is shown in the photo, along the top of the backs of two chairs. The chrome is overall in better condition than the paint. There is a very even level of very mild corrosion that covers all of the chrome. But happly it is in that early stage where a household chrome polish will remove it all. The original chrome was very heavy plated, and the result is that with some polishing, the chrome work will regain a nearly new appearance. (see before and after photos, showing an area I polished with Noxon polish). There are about four very small areas where the chrome at floor level is too seriously pitted to be polished, but of course, if you have ever restored chrome like this, you know that simply by cleaning a tiny area and exposing the steel beneath the plating, small areas will appear to virtually disappear into the surrounding healthy chrome. Please note.You don't have to do any restoring of these chairs to use them andenjoy them as is. As you know, there is a movement to not restore some vintage items (including cars) and you probably won't find anything remotely like these in great all original condition. I would not consider listing these chairs if they were not, in my opinion, an exceptional opportunity to own a remarkable set of Indiana made vintage chairs. It would surprise me if a similar set exists anywhere else, and certainly not in this very attractive condition. I suspect they would be very at home in a trend oriented conference room or around the table in a renovated style living loft. They definitely make a statement. Pick up only in NJ, unless the buyer arranges and pays for all the shipping, including packing them in NJ. I will assist any way I can, but the purchase price does not incl... 
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