09-031.
Found on October 31, 2009 in Springfield, IL.
Hans Wegner
J16 rocking chair
FDB Furniture
Denmark, 1944
24.75 x 36.5 x 42"
Beech and paper rope
Manufacturer's mark
Just last month Kate and I, in preparation for welcoming our new baby, made a significant addition to our stable of midcentury modern furniture: a vintage Hans Wegner J16 rocking chair. We had been looking for a vintage modernist style rocker for some time with little success, since I had my heart set on the seemingly unreachale goal of Wegner's J16 rocker. So when I learned that one was available in our price range we jumped at the opportunity, and had it shipped in from upstate New York. It was a dream come true.
Flash forward a few months to this weekend. Kate has been extremely busy with work, so when she decided to use Saturday for her dissertation I figured I'd hang around the house and get some chores taken care of. But then last night another dream came into the picture ... a dream that I found a set of Russel Wright cutlery in the thrift store, still in its original packaging. While just a dream, I took it as a sign that I needed to go to some thrift stores instead of work around the house. So this morning, I hopped out of bed and into the car to visit Springfield, IL, about an hour and a half from home and a favorite weekend thrifting spot of mine.
When I entered the Salvation Army, my fourth or fifth stop of the day, I had to do a double-take. Sitting directly inside the front door was another Wegner J16. After looking at the price tag, which was marked $39.99, I knew it had to come home with me. And better yet, when I arrived at the cash register I learned that the entire store was having a half off sale. Our newly acquired SECOND rocking chair would cost less than 1% of what the same chair would cost new (they've been in continuous production since introduced in 1944) ... or for about a quarter of what we paid just for shipping the first chair. Apparently the dream wasn't over.
Scott commented: Thanks Dawn! And don't think you can leave us hanging like that ... WHAT did you find?!?!
- 10.31.09
- Website
Hilary Eklund commented: WOW! Steve and I just got home and I read this entry to him -- I really can't believe it! Congratulations!
I want to say something witty, or meaningful, but I am truly speechless. I hope you don't have any regrets about the chair you got from us!
All the best - Hilary & Steve
- 10.31.09
- Website
Scott commented: No regrets at all. Quite the opposite, in fact ... we're thrilled to have a matching pair!
- 10.31.09
- Website
Steve B. commented: Second chair can only mean one thing - twins.
- 11.1.09
Dawn commented: LOL!!! LOVE Steve B's comment. Hope it doesn't make you and Kate tooooo nervous. He does have a great point, ya know :-)
OK, ya twisted my arm. After spending the entire day putting the finishing touches on our splendidly but subtly decorated Halloween home (really, we are known in our neighborhood for our yearly, ever-changling tableux), we dashed to my "lucky" thrift 'cause I was feeling lucky. And magical. Like the sirens were calling me. The thrift, of course, on a late Halloween afternoon, was bustling. The first thing I find: TWO vintage blow molds of the black cat that say "Trick" on the front and "Treat" on the back. Each at .89. The PERFECT pieces to complete my eclectic outdoor Halloween decor. Then, onto jewelry, where I spied and promptly claimed several vintage jewels including a signed 50s Taxco sterling abalone ring--in my Barbie size, which NEVER happens, and a gorgeous enamel flower pin singed by "Original by Robert", an ivory rose pin from the 50s by signed Cultra. But the blow molds were the best of all. I've found four vintage blow molds this year; got them all for under $10. Groovy vintage Halloween blow molds are hard to find south of the Mason-Dixon line, at least for me, so I was thrilled to add these to my mini-collection. Of course, my house received stellar reviews from both kids and parents alike. So, as they say, "A Good Time was had by All."
And since you are a fellow Vera fan, earlier in the week at my lucky thrift I went a-digging (really, I had to get in a CROUCHING position for about 20 minutes for this---OWWWWWW) in their MISC bins to go through their scarves and bras and panties and socks (icky, but worth it) to dig out FOUR VERA scarves (TWO with ladybugs) and two vintage Schiaperelli silk scarves. At .99 a piece, how can a girl say No? All in very good vintage condition. I always say to Peter he's lucky there's no Neiman Marcus locally, lol, so I must confine my bargain hunting to vintage deals and delights.
- 11.1.09
Scott commented: Both ultrasounds we've had so far only show one baby ... just for the record.
Sounds like you had an EXTREMELY good stop at your "lucky" store. I can see why it is lucky! I'm shocked and in awe that you found a vintage piece of Taxco in a thrift. I've never see one ... and we're always looking for modern jewelry. And FOUR Vera scarves! So excellent! I found one yesterday, and consider myself lucky. They haven't been showing up with as much frequency lately, it seems.
Congrats on all the fantastic goodies! Just shows you need to follow that thrifting instinct!
- 11.1.09
- Website
Steve B. commented: BTW- like the pic.
- 11.5.09
Scott commented: Thanks. It was obviously taken before I cleaned up the yard last weekend. Although now more leaves have fallen and you probably couldn't tell the difference.
- 11.5.09
- Website
Dawn commented: Happy Halloween to you, Scott! What an incredible happening...I am just breathless reading your experience and so very happy for you and your decision to follow your prophetic dream. This is a wonderful story, certainly one that you will share for years and years, especially with your wee one(s). Congrats to you and many, many huzzahs and hurrahs! PS: Peter and I had a kinda magical day, too, when I insisted that we visited my "lucky" thrift store...and lucky it was. A Magical day all around!