Moma Catalogue GoodDesign
Moma Catalogue GoodDesign
Date
1950
Publisher
Exhibition URL
www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/1714
EXHIBITION
HOMEFURNISHINGS
SELECTED
BY
THEMUSEUMOF MODERN
ART
NEWYORK
THEMERCHANDISE
MART
k CHICAGO
"archive
'Virfaife-y
This is the first Good Design exhibition in New York. It is the outgrowth of a long development.
In 1938 the Museum of Modern Art inaugurated yearly selections of the best modern design in home fur
nishings available to the American public; twelve years ago the show (called Useful Ob |ects) was
limited in scope and modestly presented. Today, a comprehensive selection and a fitting presentation
have become possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of The Merchandise Mart, Chicago, a vast
building devoted to housing wholesale commerce.
The products shown here were selected from designs new during the year, for their excellent ap
pearance and their progressive performance. Designers and manufacturers have donated them most
liberally. Retail stores and approximate prices in New York are listed for the convenience of visitors
to the exhibition.
The selections were made from the great national home furnishings wholesale markets held tn
Chicago twice yearly. Last winter, Meyric R. Rogers, Curator of Decorative and Industrial Arts at the
Art Institute of Chicago, and Alexander Girard, the young architect who had recently directed the De
troit Institute of Arts' first and very successful show of modern home furnishings, joined me to form
the first Good Design Selection Committee. The articles chosen were placed on display in a large
space donated by The Merchandise Mart, Chicago, amid settings brilliantly designed by Ray and
Charles Eames, who came from Los Angeles especially for this. The exhibition was embel I ished by
important works of art which the Art Institute of Chicago loaned for the occasion. Good Design thus
was launched at the core of American commerce. The traders came to see and remained to praise. A new
and crucial audience was gained for progressive modern design.
The exhibition remains on view in The Merchandise Mart, Chicago, throughout the year. After
market weeks it is open to the public who visit The Mart on guided tours. They too have voiced ap
proval there.
For the Summer Market Serge Chermayeff, Director of the Institute of Design of Illinois Institute
of Technology, and Berthold Strauss, one of Philadelphia's most forward-looking manufacturers, served
with me on a new Selection Committee. Good Design doubled in size. Again we found a generous re
sponse from visitors. Across the country, retail stores have made feature displays of the Good Design
selections. This intensive activity has, throughout, received the support of The Merchandise Mart under
the leadership of its owner Joseph P. Kennedy, recently American Ambassador to Great Britain.
Now a culminating selection has been made to fit the Good Design exhibition of 1950 into the
halls of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Ray and Charles Eames have designed new back
grounds for the Museum related to those in Chicago. We hope you will like Good Design. In 1951 we
will recommence this yearly round of activities.
2. "Short John" coffee table, laminated Edward J. Wormley Dunbar Furniture Mfg. Lord & Taylor, $110
wood legs Co.
3. Upholstered armchair, beechwood, red Axel Larsson Bodofors, Sweden Swedish Modern, Inc.,
and white upholstery
through decorators and
architects, $102
covered as shown
4. Molded walnut plywood chair on low Ray Komai J. G. Furniture Co. Today's House, $37.50
metal legs
5. Small wood armchair, seat upholstered Ray Komai J. G. Furniture Co. Today's House, $42
in gray and rust striped wool
covered as shown
6. Upholstered molded plastic side Eero Saarinen Knoll Associates New Design, Inc., $81
chairs, covered in brown tweed covered as shown
7- Upholstered molded plastic love seat, Eero Saarinen Knoll Associates New Design, Inc., $508
covered in red tweed covered as shown
8- Yellow metal side chair, foam rubber Donald Knorr Knoll Associates New Design, Inc., $59
cushion with cushion
9. Natural slate-topped cocktail table, William Armbruster Edge wood Furniture Co. Through decorators and
steel legs
architects, $99
10. High back armchair, birch and leather llmari Tapiovaara Thonet Industries, Inc. Modernage, $49.50
11. Low back armchair, birch and leather llmari Tapiovaara Thonet Industries, Inc. Modernage, $47.50
12. Knock-down side chair, birch and llmari Tapiovaara Thonet Industries, Inc. Modernage, $29.50
leather
13. Laminated wood rocking chair with E.G. Ostrom Distributor: Matts G. Frederick & Nelson,
fiber webbing Djos, Seattle Seattle, Washington,
$55
14. Daybed with woven rattan Old Hickory Furniture Lewis & Conger, $86
Co.
15. Dining table Charles Eames Herman Miller Furniture New Design, Inc., $65
Co.
16. 2-foot divider unit Charles Eames Herman Miller Furniture Georg Jensen, Inc.,
Co. $29-$59
17. 4-foot divider unit Charles Eames Herman Miller Furniture Georg Jensen, Inc.,
Co. $48-126
18. Molded plastic chair, metal legs Charles Eames Herman Miller Furniture Sachs Quality Stores,
Co. $34.95
19. Molded plastic rocking chair Charles Eames Herman Miller Furniture Sachs Quality Stores,
Co. $39.95
ITEM DESIGNER MANUFACTURER STORE
20. Upholstered armchair with detachable George Nelson Herman Miller Furniture Through decorators and
21. Upholstered ottoman George Nelson Herman Miller Furniture Through decorators and
Co. architects, $91.50 to
$118 according to fabric
22. Upholstered armchair Alvin Lustig Paramount Furniture Today's House, $200
Mfg. Co. covered as shown
23. Upholstered armchair, beechwood F inn Juhl Carl Brorup, Denmark Georg Jensen, Inc.,
$214.75 covered as shown
frame
24. Lounge, yellow canvas on iron frame Pipsan Saarinen Ficks Reed Co. W. & J. Sloane, $49.70
Swanson
25. Dining table, natural walnut Joseph Salerno Corvilla Furniture, Inc. Mayhew Shop, $174
26. Long coffee table, natural walnut Joseph Salerno Corvilla Furniture, Inc. Mayhew Shop, $95
27. Extension coffee table, natural birch Paul McCobb Winchendon Furniture W. & J. Sloane, $40
28. Bench on metal base, natural birch Paul McCobb Winchendon Furniture W. & J. Sloane, $23
29. Coffee table, plate glass, walnut and William M. C. Lam The Lam Workshop Bloomingdale's, $69
30. "Delighter" sand chair, green canvas, Fred Tydor Universal Converting Abercrombie & Fitch,
34. Trapezoid occasional table, walnut, Martin Freedgood Martin Freedgood, Inc. Georg Jensen, Inc., $30
35. Knock-down side chair, solid hardwood Calfab Furniture Co. By mail order, $17.95
36. Open armchair, laminated birch seat Alvar Aalto Artek, Finland Finsven, Inc., $35
CASEMENT CLOTHS
44. "Viking," mohair and jute, natural Michael L. Belangie Menlo Textile
Dan Cooper, through
decorators and archi
tects, $9.75 yard
45. "Desert Sand," mohair, viscose and Michael L. Belangie Menlo Textile Dan Cooper, through
jute, natural
decorators and archi
tects, $9.75 yard
46. "Linten Lace," plastic and linen Emily Belding Arundell Clarke
Georg Jensen, Inc.,
$7.50 yard
PRINTED FABRICS
47. "Lemons"
Tammis Keefe Golding Decorative Lord & Taylor, $4.50
Fabrics yard
50. "Barrel Heads" Benjamin Baldwin Design Unit New York New Design, Inc.,
and William Machado $9 yard
51. "Starry Pines" Benjamin Baldwin Design Unit New York New Design, Inc.,
and William Machado $10.50 yard
52. "Fluctuation" Juliet and Gyorgy Laverne Originals Georg Jensen, Inc.,
Kepes $6.90 yard
53. "Abacus" Paul Rand L. Anton Maix, Inc. Georg Jensen, Inc.,
$6.75 yard
DRAPERY AND UPHOLSTERY
FABRICS
55. "Wasatch," mustard, white and black, Moss Rose Mfg. Co. Lord & Taylor, $7.95
shot with gold
yard
60. "Spring Plowing," handwoven panel, Dorothy Liebes Dorothy Liebes Studio Through decorators;
prices on request
raw silk and copper lurex
61. "Vertical Stripe," handwoven panel, Dorothy Liebes Dorothy Liebes Studio Through decorators;
prices on request
raw silk, twill weave
62. "Fiesta," handwoven panel, silk and Dorothy Liebes Dorothy Liebes Studio Through decorators;
prices on request
cotton, double pile weave in hori
zontal bands
69. Black and natural, handwoven Marianne Strengell Windy Hill Crafts Baldwin Kingrey
105 E. Ohio Street
Chicago 1 1, Illinois
$20 yard, 42" wide
71. Thru-Vu vertical blind, acetate faille Henry Wright Thru-Vu Vertical Blind Lord & Taylor, approx.
Co. $2 per sq. ft.
vanes
(Distributor:
Arundell Clarke)
72. "Repartee," gray carpet Edward J. Wormley Alexander Smith & Sons Lord & Taylor, $13.75
Carpet Co. yard, 27" wide
73. "Predictor," green carpet Paul McCobb Archibald Holmes & Son Macy's, $14 sq. yard
74. "Modern," Castella quality, cinnamon Harold E. Wadely The Firth Carpet Co. B. Altman, $12 sq. yd.
ITEM DESIGNER MANUFACTURER STORE
75. Permanent Tuft carpet, "All-over" Leo J. Mahsoud Leo J. Mahsoud Edward Fields Co., Inc.,
pattern through decorators and
architects, $12.50 sq.yd.
76. Permanent Tuft carpet, "Diagonal" Leo J. Mahsoud Leo J. Mahsoud Edward Fields Co., Inc.,
pattern through decorators and
architects, $11.50 sq.yd.
77. Polished brass counter- weighted Paavo Tynell Taito, Finland Finnish Art Shop, Inc.,
ceiling light, aspen slat shade $80
78. Adjustable ceiling light, gray and Jorn Utzon Middelboe, Denmark New Design, Inc., $15*
white enamel
79. Fluorescent ceiling fixture, 36" size Noel S. Florence Lightolier, Inc. Wanamaker's, $20
80. "Reelite" adjustable ceiling light, Harry Gitlin Ledlin Lighting, Inc. Hansen, $120
brass
82. Double swivel floor lamp, black David Wurster Raymor Mfg. Division Modemage, $40
metal, white shades
83. Swing-arm floor lamp, brass Harry Wee se Baldwin Kingrey, Inc. Baldwin Kingrey
105 E. Ohio Street
Chicago 1 1, Illinois
$55
84. Floor lamp, green enamel Gerald E. Thurston Lightolier, Inc. Georg Jensen, Inc.,
$27.50
85. Table lamp, polished brass and cast Earline Brice Lightolier, Inc. Georg Jensen, Inc.,
iron $23.50
86. Adjustable wall lamp, satin chrome Greta von Nessen Nessen Studio, Inc. Georg Jensen, Inc., $42
arm, wood plaque, enameled metal
shade
87. Wall lamp, flexible neck, gray enamel Greta Magnusson- Ralph 0. Smith Co. Euster Associates, $15
Grossman
88. Double swivel table lamp, yellow Harry Gitlin Middletown Mfg. Co. Hansen, $15
enamel
89. Crystal vase (No. 37, bubble pattern) Gunnel Nyman Notsjo, Finland Bonniers, $22.50
90. Crystal vase (No.33, onion pattern) Gunnel Nyman Notsjo, Finland Bonniers, $43
92. Glass lily vase Alban Conway Venini, Italy Alban Conway, $55
94. Jade cigarette cup Styna, Austria Georg Jensen, Inc. ,$16
96. Sterling silver jug, ebony handle Johan Rohde Georg Jensen, Denmark Georg Jensen, Inc., $210
ITEM DESIGNER MANUFACTURER STORE
98. Pottery ashtray, handmade Marguerite Wildenhain Marguerite Wildenhain By mai I, $3.50
Pond Farm Workshops
Guerneville, California
99. Pottery ashtray, handmade Marguerite Wildenhain Marguerite Wildenhain By mail, $3.50
Pond Farm Workshops
Guerneville, California
118. Woven reed leuf tray, natural Ed. E. Langbeir Langbein Giftwares By mail, $2.80, sent
161 Willoughby Street prepaid
Brooklyn 1, N. Y.
119. Woven reed leaf tray, red Ed. E. Langbein Langbein Giftwares By mail, $4.50, sent
161 Willoughby Street prepaid
Brooklyn 1, N. Y.
120. Set of 6 round basket trays Ed. E. Langbein Langbein Giftwares By mail, $27, sent
161 Willoughby Street prepaid
Brooklyn 1, N. Y.
121. White porcelain cup and saucer Hermann Gretsch Porzel lanfabrik Arzberg, Georg Jensen, Inc.
Germany $1.95 each
(Imported by H. E.
Lauffer Co.)
129. Nest of 5 shirred egg dishes, Blue Arabia, Finland Finnish Art Shop, $10
Ribbon pattern
130. Set of 4 nesting covered bowls, oven Arabia, Finland Finnish Art Shop, $9.50
proof, white
132. Pottery pitcher, blue stripes Stig Lindberg Gustafsberg, Sweden Black, Starr & Gorham,
$11.50
134. "MacMahon," crystal double old- Compagnie des Cristal- Baccarat & Porthault,
fashioned leries de Baccarat, $10.50
France
135. "Marengo," crystal double old- Compagnie des Cristal- Baccarat & Porthault,
fashioned lories de Baccarat $6.25
136. "Optic," crystal double old-fashioned Compagnie des Cristal- Baccarat & Porthault,
leries de Baccarat $5
137. "Byron," crystal wine goblets, 2 Compagnie des Cristal- Baccarat & Porthault,
sizes leries de Baccarat $5.75, $6.75
138. "Brummei," crystal wine goblets, Compagnie des Cristol- Baccarat & Porthault,
2 sizes leries de Baccarat $5.75, $6.75
139. "Palermo," crystal highball Compagnie des Cristal- Baccarat & Porthault,
leries de Baccarat $6.50
ITEM DESIGNER MANUFACTURER STORE
J40. Large brandy inhaler Compagnie des Cristal- Baccarat & Porthault,
leries de Baccarat $6
146. Dirilyte bread & butter plate Carl Molin Dirilyte Co. of America Georg Jensen, Inc., $5
152. Stainless steel place setting, Folke Arstrom A/B Gense, Sweden Georg Jensen, Inc., $8
153. Boca-Ratan salad serving set John Van Acker I landa Products, Inc. Carole Stupell, $42
154. "Brookpark" plastic bread & butter Joan Luntz International Molded Macy's, $1
157. "Classic" tumblers, emerald, Freda Diamond L ibbey Glass Co. Macy's, 8 for $1.50
5 sizes
158. "Classic" tumblers, clear, 6 sizes Freda Diamond Libbey Glass Co. Macy's, 15$ each
159. "Modern" table cloth and matching Russel Wright Simtex Mills Bloomingdale's, $4.50
cloth, matkins, 50$ each
matkins, curry
160. "Modern" table cloth and matching Russel Wright Simtex Mills Bloomingdale's, $4.50
161. Handwoven table mat, royal blue Geraldine Funk Puerto Rican Industrial New Design, Inc., $2.50
162. Handwoven table mat, white and Geraldine F unk Puerto Rican Industrial New Design, Inc., $2.50
163. Flexible wood table mat, maple & W. F. Ortwig Mfg. Co. Designed for Living,
walnut Inc., $4
164. Wooden steak platter, hand turned Richard Hudson Hudson Studios Georg Jensen, Inc., $40
ITEM DESIGNER MANUFACTURER STORE
165. Cup and saucer Glidden Parker Glidden Pottery Co. Georg Jensen, Inc., $1.30
166. Bread & butter plate Glidden Parker Glidden Pottery Co. Georg Jensen, Inc., 504
167. Salad plate Glidden Parker Glidden Pottery Co. Georg Jensen, Inc., 70{
168. Luncheon plate Glidden Parker Glidden Pottery Co. Georg Jensen, Inc. ,$1.30
169. Handled serving bowl Glidden Parker Glidden Pottery Co. Georg Jensen, Inc., $5
(including cover)
170. Individual handled bowl Glidden Parker Glidden Pottery Co. Georg Jensen, Inc., $1.50
(including cover)
171. Large salad bowl Glidden Parker Glidden Pottery Co. Georg Jensen, Inc., $2.50
172. Glass wine bottle Blenko Glass Co., Inc. Department stores, $4.50
173. Large covered casserole, green Edith Heath Distributor: New Design, Inc., $20
N. S. Gustin Co.
174. Water jug, green Edith Heath Di stributor: New Design, Inc., $9
N. S. Gustin Co.
175. Stainless steel steak knives and The Voos Company Bloomingdale's, $37.95
forks, natural horn handles, 12
piece set
176. Pakkawood handled steak knives, The Voos Company Bloomingdale's, $8.95
set of 6
177. "Twisted Stem" goblets, 7 sizes Gunnel Nyman Notsjo, Finland Bonniers, $15.60— $24 doz.
178. Teakwood salad bowl Finn Juhl Walter Taylor Georg Jensen, Inc., $60
179. Sugar bowl George Thompson Steuben Glass Steuben Glass, $10
180. Lucite salt and pepper shakers Leona Whiteman Georg Jensen, Inc.,
$20 pr.
181. White ceramic pepper mill Trudi and Harold Sitterle Ceramics Georg Jensen, Inc., $12
Sitterle
182. "Ripple" pepper mill, rosewood Donald Wallance Salisbury Artisans Georg Jensen, Inc., $6.50
183. Seed glass tumblers, ripe olive, Russel Wright Imperial Glass Corp. B. Altman, 6O4—704 each
graduated sizes
184. Seed glass tumblers, seaspray, Russel Wright Imperial Glass Corp. B. Altman, 6O4—704 ®ach
graduated sizes
185. Glass martini pitcher and stirring rod Distributor: Dennison's, $1.50
Weil Ceramics & Glass,
Inc.
186. Punch set: covered bowl, ladle, 12 Leerdam, Holland Georg Jensen, Inc.,
cups $35.40
187. Stainless steel flatware, 4 piece Gio Ponti Soc. p. Az. Italiana Today's House, $7.95
place setting Arthur Krupp, Italy
188. Glass jug, straight lip, 1Vi oz. West Virginia Glass B. Altman, 654
Specialty Company
ITEM DESIGNER MANUFACTURER STORE
189. Glass jug, ice lip, 3 sizes West Virginia Glass B. Altman, 75$, 98$,
Specialty Company $1.25
190. Glass jug, ice lip, 2 sizes West Virginia Glass B. Altman, 98$, $1.25
Specialty Company
191. Walnut handled cheese scoop Ed. E. Langbein Langbein Giftwares By mail, $6, sent prepaid
161 Willoughby Street
Brooklyn 1, N . Y.
192. Long-handled carving knife and fork, Ed. E. Langbein Langbein Giftwares By mail, $17, sent pre
193. Covered Pyrex casserole in basket, Ed. E. Langbein Langbein Giftwares By mail, $5, sent prepaid
194. Wicker cheese tray with maple center Ed. E. Langbein Langbein Giftwares By mail, $6, sent prepaid
161 Willoughby Street (includes cheese knife)
Brooklyn 1, N. Y.
195. Individual casserole in basket Ed. E. Langbein Langbein Giftwares By mail, $1.25/ sent
161 Willoughby Street prepaid
Brooklyn 1, N. Y.
196. Flat wicker platters, 2 sizes Ed. E. Langbein Langbein Giftwares By mail, $3.50 a set,
161 Willoughby Street sent prepaid
Brooklyn 1, N. Y.
197. Wicker carry-all hamper Ed. E. Langbein Langbein Giftwares By mail, $11, sent pre
161 Willoughby Street paid
Brooklyn 1, N. Y.
198. Speed mixer Mark Maynard Maynard Mfg. Co. Housewares and depart
ment stores, $3.95
200. Sponge mop, chrome handle O-Cedar Corporation B loomingda le's, $3.95
201. Stainless steel water pail The Vollrath Company Department stores, $12
202. "Dri-Rite Plasteel" sweater dryer Queen Mfg. Co., Inc. B. Altman, $1.89
203. Magnetic soap gripper Edger Products Co. By mail, $2, postpaid
4540 West Broadway
Louisville 11, Kentucky
204. Gottschalk's Metal Sponges Metal Sponge Sales Macy's, 3 for 23$
Corp.
208. Aluminum pinless curtain stretcher Quaker Stretcher Co. Wanamaker's, $4.99
ITEM DESIGNER MANUFACTURER STORE
212. "Juice-A-Shake," black and red Barnes & Reinecke, Kerel Products Co. Gimbel's, $2.98
plastic Inc.
213. Pyrex Hostess Oven and Table Set, Corning Glass Works All department stores,
yellow, 5 pieces $2.95
214. Stainless steel water pitcher The Vollrath Company Department stores, $7.75
215. Stainless steel jug with cover The Vollrath Company Department stores, $7.30
217. Enamel tea kettle, 314 qts. The Vollrath Company Department stores, $3.95
218. Enamel drip coffee pot The Vollrath Company Department stores, $3.50
220. Double boiler, 1% pint Revere Copper & Brass, Department stores, $6
Inc.
221. Tea kettle, 2 quart Revere Copper & Brass, Department stores, $4.25
Inc.
222. Whistling tea kettle, 3 quart Revere Copper & Brass, Department stores, $5.50
Inc.
223< Skillet with egg poacher insert Revere Copper & Brass, Department stores, $8
224. "Beautycan" chrome garbage pail Lincoln Metal Products Department stores, $8.98
225. Shur-edge Clasp Knife, black plastic Emerson E. Case Robeson Cutlery Co., Hoffritz Cutlery, $2.50
handle Inc.
226. "Magnetop" magnetic bottle opener John E. Hammond, Jr. Hammond Research Bar Mart, $3.50
Corp.
227. Flint steak slicer, Flintwood handle, Ekco Products Co. B. Altman's, $3.50
8"
228. Holdster set of five Flint knives, Ekco Products Co. B. Altman's, $13.95
walnut handles
230. Regal aluminum locklid sauce pan, Kewaskum Utensil Co. $3.45
114quart Kewaskum, Wisconsin
231. Regal aluminum locklid sauce pan, Kewaskum Utensil Co. $4.45
3 quart Kewaskum, Wisconsin
234 . Pakkawood handled utility knife, The Voos Company Bloomingdale's, $1.25
serrated
235. Pakkawood handled utility knife The Voos Company Bloomingdale's, $1.75
239. Pakkawood handled sharpening steel The Voos Company Bloomingdale's, $2.50
240. "Magnabar," natural wood finish, Russell E. Phelon Phelon Magnagrip Co., Lewis & Conger, $4.00
18" Inc.
241. Covered pot, 4 quart, yellow enamel United States Stamping Hardware stores, $2.20
Co.
242. Sauce pan, 1 quart, yellow enamel United States Stamping Hardware stores, $1
Co.
243. Plastic bottle caps Edward J. T owns Towns Quality McCrory 5$ & 10<
Products, Inc. stores, 3 for 25^
245. "Sew-Easy" portable electric sew- C. E. Waltman & The SK Company Busch Jewelry Stores,
ing machine Associates $49.95
246. Tru-Zone 3-drawer refrigerator, Sidney Spielman and Acme-National Re Macy's, $240
white with black formica top George Meek frigerator Co., Inc.
247. Universal Seiect-A-Range, standard William J. Russell Landers Frary & Clark Macy's, $299.95
package unit
248. Matic Maid dishwasher Fred Storm Cory Corporation Lewis & Conger, $89.95
249. Rubber bladed electric 12" window C. Samson Samson United Corp. Electric appliance and
fan, tan baked enamel department stores, $29.95
250. "Sir' Cut" automatic electric can Seth E. Wibling Strong Appliance Indus Strong Appliance Indus
opener, wall model tries, Inc. tries, Inc., $37.50
251. Two-burner hot plate, polished steel Peter Muller-Munk The Silex Company Lust & Lust Equipment
Co., $35.50
252. Chronopak electric table clock, George Nelson Howard Miller Co. Modernage, $19.50
natural birch base, white dial
253. Chronopak electric wall clock, satin George Nelson Howard Miller Co. Modernage, $39.50
brass dial, plexlglas bubble
254. Sterling Portable Typewriter Joseph Barkdoll L. C. Smith Corona Department and station
Typewriters, Inc. ery stores, $89.50
256. "Target" outdoor thermometer Robert W. Swift, Jr. Swift & Anderson, Inc. Abercrombie & Fitch,
and H. Angus Conners $2.50
.