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Warren McArthur Wall Decorations

American, 1885-1961

Few 20th-century designers had influential furniture that regularly flew at 30,000 feet, but Warren McArthur did. His work on seating for military aircraft came near the end of his career, following decades of Machine Age furniture shaped from tubular forms and made of steel, chrome and aluminum.

Warren McArthur Jr. graduated with an engineering degree from Cornell University in 1908. After moving to Los Angeles in 1929, he founded the Warren McArthur Corporation a year later. His initial output of sleek, metal designs were popular in offices and hotels. 

At the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair, Americans witnessed a new “Streamlined America” campaign, which included everyday furniture made from metal, opening the door for McArthur and other Machine Age designers to a residential audience. With this increase in demand for metal furniture, the Warren McArthur Corporation relocated to Rome, New York, and sold their aluminum furnishings out of a showroom on Park Avenue in New York City. 

Actors Marlene Dietrich, Fredric March and Clark Gable were among his A-list clientele. McArthur also produced furniture for the dining cars on the Union Pacific Railroad and the Chrysler Headquarters. His designs were featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 1934 exhibition “Contemporary American Industrial Art.”

During World War II, McArthur pivoted production after a ban on the private use of aluminum. McArthur made an estimated three-quarters of all American military aircraft seating, including adjustable seats for the Beechcraft C-45 and revolving seats for navigators aboard the Grumman HU-16 Albatross. 

Warren McArthur closed his business in 1948. He died in 1961.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Warren McArthur armchairs, tables and other seating.

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Creator: Warren McArthur
Warren McArthur Aircraft Seating Proposal Drawing, 1941
Warren McArthur Aircraft Seating Proposal Drawing, 1941

Warren McArthur Aircraft Seating Proposal Drawing, 1941

By Warren McArthur

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Warren McArthur rare original pencil proposal sketch (SK 1749) for an aircraft passenger seat for the Lockheed Corporation. This proposal was accepted and the seat was manufactured...

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1940s American Industrial Vintage Warren McArthur Wall Decorations

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Paper

Warren McArthur Corp. Aircraft Co-Pilot Proposal Drawing, 1946
Warren McArthur Corp. Aircraft Co-Pilot Proposal Drawing, 1946

Warren McArthur Corp. Aircraft Co-Pilot Proposal Drawing, 1946

By Warren McArthur

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Interesting vintage proposal drawing in 1/2 scale of an aircraft co-pilot seat. Dated 1/12/46 from the Warren McArthur Corporation. Drawing measures 26 x 4...

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1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Warren McArthur Wall Decorations

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Pencil, Paper

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Warren Mcarthur wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.

Warren McArthur wall decorations are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of paper and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Warren McArthur wall decorations, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original wall decorations by Warren McArthur were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1940s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider wall decorations by Frederic Weinberg, Raoul Pene du Bois, and Stevan Kissel. Prices for Warren McArthur wall decorations can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,200 and can go as high as $3,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,200.