Apparently, some antique boardroom chairs

Hi all,

I have some antique boardroom chairs.
Big armchairs with wooden legs upholstered in leather with bronze (?) rivets.
There are small medallions on one leg of each chair, embossed with the capital letters "GMC" and then a number. Maybe GM Corporation? These chairs were purchased in Michigan at an antique store decades ago.

Any leads welcomed!
Regards, -CMH

 

GM Corp. came into existence in 1908, so don't see any connection to the number on the medallion.

 

Thanks for that.
Yes, it appears so... the other medallion only has 3 digits! It says "151".

That in and of itself would seem a bit odd too. The armchairs are identical yet have such different 'medallion' numbers.

 

Not sure about the numbers or the chairs but that is definitely the GMC logo used around the 20’s and 30’s. Back then(up until the 60’s really in certain respects) GM Trucks we’re a bit more of their own thing…not necessarily just a Chevy truck with a different logo.

 

Perhaps the numbers relate to acquisitions.

 

The numbers are for company inventory of assets.

 

Agree with Bakersgma on that. We call them asset tags.

 

Yep. As above. For inventory purposes. This 1912 ad features the same logo.

Debora

 

According to the internet, this was General Motor's first logo and it was in use from 1911 until 1947. To my eye, your chairs would be later rather than earlier in that period. And rather than for boardroom use, they could have well been visitor's chairs used in executive offices.


https://allcarbrandslist.com/logos/gmc-logo/

Debora

 

I should add that they are more likely vintage than antique.

Debora

 

Debora nailed it all down the line. Vintage 1940s, not antique. Not much value, but better than new chairs.

 

Corporate furniture. Looks like naugahyde rather than leather. But well built and sturdy. Plus, the GM association is fun. The General Motors Building was the second largest office building in the world when it was completed in 1922. Here it is in 1949 when your chairs may well have sat there.

Debora

 

Very cool ! Sort of like my school desk made in "San Quentin state prison" around the same period I would guess. Neat stuff floating around out there !

 

Very cool, and their value is to be ascribed to their appreciation by GM collectors, not the the run of the mill furniture guy/gal.
Myself, I like the 50s Chevys better, but Fords before and after.