Esoteric Survey

California State Route 99 runs through the Central Valley.  The inland highway  serves Bakersfield, Tulare, Visalia, Kingsburg, Selma, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Modesto, Stockton, Sacramento, and goes all the way up to Chico. Many of these cities are longtime agriculture towns. With the exception of Bakersfield , Fresno and Sacramento, there isn't a ton of modern architecture. However, there are some nuggets hidden here and there. Along the highway, next to the King River in Kingsburg is a 1959 restaurant designed by Palm Springs architect Hugh Kaptur. Originally it was named the Pawling's Lakeside Inn.  Joseph Stark Pawling (1921-2002) developed the restaurant along as part of a larger recreational project. He was a home builder in Palm Springs and did a number of spec houses with Donald Wexler. Pawling most likely met Kaptur through Wexler since In the late 1950's Kaptur  apprenticed in the Wexler & Harrison architecture firm.  Pawling's Lakeside Inn first ...

Stool by Robert J Ellenberger for  Calfab  Furniture Company Another David Cressey ashtray Stool by Phillip Lewis. This one in red aniline dye.  More about these stools, here .

I was finally able to get my hands on a Giraffe family by Malcolm Moran  (1923 - 2011). In the original box from Hudson's! They were the anchor tenant and the company who hired Victor Gruen to design the  Northland Shopping Center Northland Shopping Center  (1954) by Victor Gruen. Located in Southfield, MI, a Detroit suburb. At the time, it was the largest shopping center in the country. Alvin Lustig collaborated with Gruen on the identity and signage. A number of artists were commissioned to do sculpture for the center.  Besides Moran, there was Marshall Fredericks, Joseph Anthony McDonnell, and Lily Saarinen (Eero's wife). Source: Victor Gruen and Associates The original Moran sculptures in bronze stood 25 feet high. Image: Life Magazine Hudson's offered dainty mementos for sale at the mall. Source: Detroit Free Press, 1954 Me too Billy, me too. Source: Detroit Free Press, 1954 Source: Architectural Forum 1961 Source: Detroit Public Library A fish sculpture by...

 I'm pretty sure this stool is by Dan Johnson. I have proof, sort of.  I did learn a new word, sella curulis. People on instagram flipped over this watering can. My favorite knock off Tackett canisters and some little Danish teak things.

I bought another empty box. It's a big one.  The shear size and the markings show that it once housed an Eames lounge chair and ottoman.  It was sent to a Dr Clifford E Easley in Rolling Hills Estates, which is on  the north side of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, facing Torrance. Rolling Hills Estates was Incorporated in 1957. Since it was less than a half hour drive from his house, chances are that it was ordered from Frank Bros . This 1962 ad lists the price at $529. That's a little over $5,000 adjusted for inflation and quite a bit cheaper than what they sell for now. Today Herman Miller sells the Palisander lounge chair for $8,000. Also, apparently in 1962 only men could buy Eames lounge chairs at Frank Bros. Not cool bros. Source: Long Beach Press Telegram, 1962 This is where the chair was delivered. I hope Dr. Easley used it right there.  The house was built in 1962 which is probably when he bought the chair. The lack of a zip code on the box also points to pre-19...

  Mod Swap is back!  On Sunday, September 25th, a group of Midcentury collectors will be gathering in San Diego to unload some great vintage goods.   Mod Swap is brought to you by  Objects USA ,  Modern San Diego  and  One Bunk . This event is part of  San Diego Design Week  2022, presented by  Mingei International Museum .  Objects USA, a three person collective of San Diego-based art and design enthusiasts, started the Mod Swap about 15 years ago as a way for friends and collectors to exchange vintage objects and artworks “for fun and for free.” From small gatherings of friends trading in private homes, partnerships with Modern San Diego and Greg Strangman of One Bunk helped it grow into an outdoor event open to the general public with many more participants offering their wares. This year, about 20 regional collector/vendors will participate in what remains a fun and free event focused on vintage craft, art and design. More here!...