ANTI GRAVITY RECLINER???? PHOTOS NOW POSTED!!

[wind_rose_2]

Well,l have been doing some estate sales searching for unique pieces and happened upon something very unusual.
I guess it could only be described as an ANTI GRAVITY RECLINER.
A very comfortable chair/lounge that when seated has a lever on the right hand side that will release the chair from its position and allow the persons weight ,legs,torso etc to be "averaged" and settle into a position that equally distributes ones weight. There are no springs or metal extendable hardware as it is not a recliner in the sense we currently know as a "recliner" and the mechanism releasing the chairs position is all wood! (maple)?
It is circa 1930s to 50s and is wood frame with arms, with naugahide or maybe even leather covering all sides except the bottom and 4 short wooded legs.
It may be a one off designer piece but l could find no readily visible makers mark...but it is extremely well made.
Any of you vintage collectors/upholsterers that may help me ID this piece it would be greatly appreciated.
Photos to follow.
Dave

[alge]

Hello Dave

the Norwegians have a company called Ekornes that have used a metal tension system for the last 30 years perhaps its the grand daddy of these bad boys.

http://www.ekornes.co.uk/uk/stressless/the_stressless_history/list/1971thefirststresslessisintrod/

alex

[wind_rose_2]

i guess my discription made it difficult to imagine as it is not two pieces as you have thought it may be, it is one piece and the photos l will attach tomorrow will make it easier for you. The link you have included is more like an Eames Chair..two independent pieces..not at all what l have as you will see.

As an aside .what is the best way to remove the odour of cigarette smoke that has permeated this piece?
Dave

[kodydog]

Hi Dave,
I've done plenty of recliners but don't think I've ever recovered one like you describe. I'm looking forward to your pic's.

Whenever I pick up a smokey smelling piece I leave it outside in the sun several days. This gets rid of most of the smell but not all. I've heard of good results from a product called Frebreze.

[sofadoc]

Anybody tried this stuff?
http://www.duboisfabrics.com/product_p/big%20d%20one%20shot.htm

[wind_rose_2]

l hope to find a cleaner that will not remove the"patina" of the fabric..something maybe less of a chemical and more of a natural moisturizer that will remove the "smoke" residue that is on the surfaces.
Dave

[fragged8]

Anybody tried this stuff?
http://www.duboisfabrics.com/product_p/big%20d%20one%20shot.htm

I have an ozone generator for smelly stuff. it is natural and reverts back to oxygen after
30mins.
Ozone will kiil almost every smell there is and also kills mold and mildew

[wind_rose_2]

I have one too Fragged but it is back home in Canada...they can destroy natural rubber though so care must be exercised!
Checking on THE naugahide site they simply recommend dish soap and warm water to clean then buff dry.
Dave

[wind_rose_2]

Photos

[sofadoc]

I've done a few of those. It's also very similar to the "Adjusto-lounges" that Art Linkletter used to shill for on TV. But the Adjusto-lounge had a motor with an up-down switch, instead of the handle.

[wind_rose_2]

This seems to be the same idea and may have been the inspiration for the design.

http://www.cassinausa.com/corbusier.html

Have done a few..what are the "insides" like? Are they foam fill or hair/matt?springs?
You must be as old or dare l say older than me, to recall Art Linkletter..maybe we should have an "old Guys" thread.. (bit of a play on words there) for us with vintage. ;D
I would still like to know the manufacturer if anyone else as old remembers!
Dave

[sofadoc]

what are the "insides" like? Are they foam fill or hair/matt?springs?
You must be as old or dare l say older than me, to recall Art Linkletter.

Sorry, I don't remember for sure what the guts were made of. It's been over 20 years since I've seen one. Best I recall, foam/cotton over no-sag springs. Maybe a sisal mat.
I remember Art promising a free color TV with every purchase. A few of my customers bought them. NO TV though. They would tell you over the phone that they're all out of TV's, so they'll just give you $500 off the price. The adjusted price was around 2 grand, which was about 3X's what it was worth.
WHO YOU CALLIN' OLD? ;)

[wind_rose_2]

Not just old! Minds goin too!
Are you sure it was a Color TV...l believe Linkletter was off the air when they had Color..but then again could be my minds goin.
Thanks for the info!

[JuneC]

You may have a real find there.  I did a google search for mid-century recliners and here's one that looks similar to the bottom of yours. 

http://www.bondandbowery.com/printitem.php?itemid=3850

There are a few from Eames also on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Retro-Eames-Era-Chaise-Lounge-Massage-Chair-/400250700034

Pretty kool chair. 

June

[sofadoc]

Art's show was over, but he still did the commercials well into the color era.