Featured MCM Chairs Wormley for Dunbar

Hello Everyone, I have five (5) MCM executive chairs designed by Edward Wormley for the Dunbar Furniture Company (all with original labels attached). They are a restoration project.

Wormley was a prolific designer from the Midwest (IL). He was peers to George Nelson (Herman Miller, Inc.) and Florence Knoll (Knoll, Inc). I understand these may be highly collectible. I’m posting here to inquire regarding the collectibility of Wormley furniture. I appreciate any insights. Thank you in advance for any responses.

 

Dunbar is high end furniture and Wormley designed some great things for them. That said, office chairs have to be on the lowest end of collectibility. I only found one example of this chair with a value attached but it was leather and had a wood base. They asked a lot of money for the chair. I don't know what it actually sold for. Here it is.

Mid-Century Modern Leather Executive Desk Chair by Edward Wormley for – Main Street Mercantile (msm-warehouse.myshopify.com)

I found numerous Dunbar desk chairs sold at auction, mostly under $500 in good condition. Frankly, most had greater appeal than this. I would think, in this condition, we are talking a fraction of that amount (1/2 at best or maybe 1/3?). Here is a set of 6 Dunbar leather chairs that are of somewhat similar form and in good condition. I don't know if they are also a Wormley design or not. Sold at auction for $800.00.

Set 6 Black Leather Dunbar Rolling Chairs - Aug 04, 2015 | Uniques And Antiques, Inc. In Pa (liveauctioneers.com)

Finding a buyer might be another issue. Unless you are in or near a big city, it may be difficult. I know in my semi-rural Midwest location, these would be a very hard sell.

 

V-Brad nailed it Moneque, re Urban vs Rural.The cultural tastes and cash reserves btw country & city are vastly different.Even 30 miles away can feel like a different hemisphere here in Oregon.
We moved as close as we could to downtown Portland because nearer to the city center, the higher the wages.But we still managed to stay semi-rural.

 

Around here, not rural in the least, those chairs would go for $20-40 each depending on condition. Pathetic but true.

 

and they are unsafe, which is why mfg's went to the five leg base..

 

I love Dunbar furniture and have bought and sold a fair amount of it, including a pair of chairs I sold through a high-end auction house. Wormley, by the way, was the Director of Design for Dunbar and is credited with all designs (with a few exceptions) from at least 1947 until he retired in 1968. I agree with everything Brad wrote and would add that the cost to have these reupholstered might be close to what you could eventually sell them for. If you could reupholster them yourself, that would certainly help. I saw one with decent fabric upholstery that sold at auction for $400. That seems about right, and obviously leather would sell for more.

 

Thank you! This is very helpful. I live in the Chicagoland area so am hopeful I can find interested buyers given Dunbar and Wormley’s proximity to the area.

I found deeply discounted grey mohair fabric (someone ordered the wrong color) so, I am going to cover in that fabric and restore the chrome base/wheels. They are extremely comfortable even in disrepair.

 

Thank you! What are your thoughts about covering them in a grey mohair?

 

Thank you! Makes sense. I am in the Chicagoland area and am hopeful that once restored I can either personally sell them or place with an auction house. They will be covered in a grey mohair fabric. i welcome your thoughts on that plan.

 

Wow! Good to know! I’ll ask the restorer about potential ways to make safer.

 

Dunno as they can, other than taking the wheels off. My office chair only has four spokes. Hasn't gone anywhere in 10 years.

 

r u 6'1 , 215 pounds....and like to lean back !!!

there's a reason all chairs like this have 5 wheels now..

 

More like 5'7" 210 pounds.(LOL) I am NOT a small person. Also not stupid and not one to lean back in chairs.

 

HEY......... I'm not calling anyone stupid !!!
no need for that Ruth...

 

I normally don't bother; they out themselves soon enough.

 

Since you're in Chicago, you might want to contact Wright Auctions and get their opinion on potential values and the best upholstery choices. They are one of the preeminent auction houses for MCM and have sold hundreds of Dunbar pieces

 

Thank you!!! I will definitely do that. I appreciate the tip.