Mid-20th Century Chairs
to
906
4,131
2,409
6,832
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
3,248
2,137
512
1,297
303
949
194
383
148
230
123
288
3,947
671
306
148
100
44
27
26
18
13
12
11
11
6
5
4
2
2
633
2,289
13,236
13,298
1,116
6,832
3,478
243
61
201
394
435
1,769
2,084
1,745
878
282
4,666
2,190
2,137
1,371
1,057
4,910
1,487
1,231
986
948
6,832
6,832
6,832
126
117
104
85
84
Period: Mid-20th Century
One Of Four Mart Stam Leather Cantilever Chair By BLAHA Austria 1960s
By Mart Stam
Located in Čelinac, BA
Mart Stam Chairs By BLAHA Austria 1960s
Category
Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Walter Lamb Arm Chairs
By Walter Lamb
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Walter Lamb Arm Chairs.
Manufactured by Brown Jordan
Beautiful natural verdigris surface
Set of 6
Category
American Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Copper
Rattan Green Stripe Folding Deck Chair Patio Lounger, Chaise Longue
Located in Labrit, Landes
French rattan folding deck chair or lounger chair, circa 1930
Handwoven with a green stripe
Very comfortable for patio or garden
Folded dimensions H 24.21 x W 29.7 x D 31.3 in. (H...
Category
French Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Rattan, Wicker
Kai Kristiansen Scandinavian Midcentury Dark Wood Dining Chair 1960s
By Shou Andersen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian model 31 chair designed by Kai Kristiansen for Schou Andersen with dark solid wood frame and new fabric seat and back, Denmark 1960s production
Category
Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Pair of 1940s Chairs in lambskin, Denmark
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Pair of chairs from the 1940s new upholstered with lambskin.
Frame of stained beech.
Category
Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Beech
Art Deco Black Lacquer Streamlined Armchair by Modernage Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and iconic Art Deco "D" chair was realized by the esteemed maker Modernage Co. in the United States, circa 1930. Resembling a stylized letter "D", it features streamline...
Category
American Art Deco Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Lacquer
S24 Chair by Pierre Chapo
By Pierre Chapo
Located in grand Lancy, CH
French furniture designer and craftsman. Pierre Chapo studied architecture at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, graduating in 1958. He then travelled in Scandin...
Category
French Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Leather, Elm
Mid-Century Rattan Loop Tub Club Chair, Woven Cane Seat
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Unusual rattan tub chair with loop motif and woven cane seat.
Category
Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Cane, Rattan
Incredible Set Of Four Mid Century Playing Card Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An amazing set of Mid Century Side Chairs with playing card motifs of Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts and Spades. The Hearts, and Diamonds of course, in thick Red Vinyl and the Clubs and Sp...
Category
Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Other
Vintage LC3 Grand Modele Armchairs by Le Corbusier for Cassina c. 1980s
By Cassina, Le Corbusier
Located in Portland, OR
Iconic, sleek and timeless is the LC3 Grand Confort designed by Le Corbusier Pierre Jeanneret, and Charlotte Perriand in 1928. This set features a mix of 2 decades of production, 198...
Category
Italian Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Mid Century Hans Wegner Set 4 Beech Danish Cord Dining Chairs Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Portland, OR
A set of four Mid Century Danish Modern CH36 beech and Danish cord dining chairs, designed by Hans Wegner in 1962 and produced by Carl Hansen ...
Category
Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Papercord, Beech
Oswald Haerdtl – Designer Chair by TON, 1960s, Last Piece Available
Located in Prague 8, CZ
An original chair designed by Austrian architect and designer Oswald Haerdtl, produced in the 1960s by TON. The solid beech frame and molded plywood construction provide durability a...
Category
Czech Art Deco Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Jacques Adnet Sculptural Leather Swivel Chair, 1950s France
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kick back on this stunning chair by French designer Jacques Adnet. An iron frame is wrapped completely in beautiful camel-colored leather. Four legs extend to form a tripod base. The...
Category
French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Metal
Italian Rocking Chair Model 572 By Cassina
By Cassina
Located in London, GB
An incredible and very rare rocking chair (has been attributed to Gio Ponti in the past and shows a strong and striking resemblance to his designs) in walnut, rubber and fabric for C...
Category
Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Steel
Grosfeld House Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Elegant Grosfeld House ebonized occasional chairs having open backs with dramatic hand-carved draped swags with button tufted leather seats. Sold individually.
Category
Art Deco Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Leather, Wood
Brazilian Modern Set of Five Chairs in Hardwood & Leather, Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
These chairs are made of Brazilian rosewood with leather cushions. The backrest and the seat of the chair have a natural curvature, which is a theme that is seen in many Brazilian mi...
Category
Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Suite de 4 chaises scandinaves vintage en teck des années 60
Located in BESANÇON, FR
4 chaises scandinaves vintage des années 60, dans le style des designers danois Niels Otto Moller ou Kai Kristiansen, en teck, beau travail du bois tout en courbes, assises totalemen...
Category
Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Teak
Olli Mannermaa Kilta Chairs Elephant Hide Grey Scandinavian Mid Century Modern
Located in Dronten, NL
This elegant Kilta chair was designed by Finland designer Olli Mannermaa for Martela.
The Kilta chair is a Finnish design Classic. Kilta’s timeless design and very comfortable seati...
Category
Finnish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Steel
Chairs Thonet 209, Pair of Cane and Black Bentwood , 1940s or 1950s
By Thonet
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
The chair after Thonet is from the 1950s
This is Le Corbusier's favourite chair and one of the favourite designs of architects and designers.
Unfortunately it has no label but it i...
Category
European Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Cane, Bentwood, Rattan
A Pair of Mid-Century 1960s Mogens Koch by Cado Mk-16 Folding Safari Chairs
By Cado, Mogens Koch
Located in Centennial, CO
A classic pair of Mid-Century 1960s Mogens Koch by Cado MK-16 safari folding chairs crafted of beautifully patinated beechwood. with original brass fittings and leather rawhide sling...
Category
Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Brass
Pair of Pierre Chapo S11 Chairs, France, 1960s/70s
By Pierre Chapo
Located in LEWES, GB
An early pair of Pierre Chapo S11 dining chairs in original condition, France, 1960s. Elm and very nicely patinated leather. Rarely found in such nice...
Category
French Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Leather, Elm
Desk/Dining Chair, 1940s 1 of 2
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Cane chair in vintage condition (well preserved) very rare find.
Production period: 1940s
Materials: Hardwood, cane
Condition: great, signs of use.
Category
Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Cane, Hardwood
Scandinavian Modern Rosewood Dining Chairs by Hans Brattrud, set of Six.
Located in London, GB
A set of six Hans Brattrud high back Scandia senior chairs for Hove Mobler. A classic example of excellent Scandinavian Modern design dating from 1958, this is one of the finest chairs to emerge from post war Norway and indeed Scandinavia. Timeless and simplistic organic forms echo the shape of the body, resulting in a comfortable chair. These chairs have been restored, repolished and reupholstered by our team of skilled craftsmen and women.
Architectural Digest (AD) have featured a similar set also in the September 2022 edition of rosewood chairs at Sienna Miller...
Category
Norwegian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Single Quaker Style Ladder Back Dining Chair with Rush Seat and Bible Shelf
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single Quaker style ladder back dining chair with rush seat and Bible shelf. One left from group of many. In original condition, with visible patina and heavy wear, including some br...
Category
Dutch Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Rush, Wood
Hans J. Wegner Early Stamped Carl Hansen & Son CH-24 "Wishbone" Chair, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
Rare model "CH-24" / "Wishbone" chairs from the very early years of the Carl Hansen & Sons production of Hans J. Wegner's iconic chair. The condition of both chairs is amazing and th...
Category
Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Papercord, Oak
Set of Four Vintage Prague 811 Chair By Josef Hoffmann 1950s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Josef Hoffmann Prague 811 Chairs for Stol Kamnik 1950s
Category
Slovenian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Cane, Bentwood
Stand Alone German Primitive Farmers Chair Wooden Stabelle Carved Back
Located in Rümmingen, BW
This beautiful old German Stabelle is a typical farmers' chair.
This chair has unique bobbin legs.
The chair is primitivly made. The construction is based on an interlocking system. ...
Category
German Primitive Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Wood
Six Dining Chairs Oak and Straw Midcentury French, circa 1950
Located in Labrit, Landes
Set of six French dining chairs made circa 1950
Shell motif
Oak and straw
In good condition solid and sound
Shipping:
L 144 P 53 H91 24 kg.
Category
French Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Straw, Oak
Pair of Brass and Velvet Italian Chairs in the Style of the 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
A striking pair of Italian side chairs with a gracefully tapered brass frame and sculptural ladder backrest. The re-upholstered lime green velvet seat cushions add a playful yet eleg...
Category
Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Brass
1 of 4 Les Arcs Chair by Dal Vera selected by Charlotte Perriand, 1960s
By Dal Vera
Located in Bingen am Rhein, RP
Dal Vera chair model "Les Arcs", stacking chair.
The Les Arcs chairs by Dal Vera Vera are iconic pieces of furniture selected by designer Charlotte Perriand for 'Les Arcs'.
These tu...
Category
Bauhaus Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Metal
Set of 8 Dining Chairs in Kai Kristiansen Manner, 1960s, Korup, Fully Restored
Located in Wrocław, Poland
This model of dining chair was most probably designed by famous Danish designer Kai Kristiansen, however it is not confirmed officially. It is known as model no. 32. The chairs are a...
Category
Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Beech
Chiavarina High Back Chair, Italy, 1950s
Located in Palermo, IT
Chiavarina high back chair, Italy, 1950s.
Attributed to Gaetano Descalzi.
Good condition. One broken spring.
Category
Italian Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Wood
Set of Eight Kaare Klint Red Chairs, Rud Rasmussen, Niger Leather and Mahogany
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kaare Klint & Rud Rasmussen Snedkerier - Scandinavian Modern Design.
An extraordinary set of eight Kaare Klint red chairs, executed by cabinetmaker Rud. Rasmussen, Denmark.
Profile...
Category
Danish Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Pair of Danish 1960's black leather safari chairs
By Artek
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Discover these high-quality Danish 1960's black leather safari chairs for your home. Crafted with precision following vintage Scandinavian design principles, these chairs represent t...
Category
Finnish Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Russell Woodard Woven Spun Fiberglass Tall Fan Back Peacock Diamond Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Russell Woodard Woven Spun Fiberglass Tall Fan Back Peacock Diamond Chair. Item features a spun woven fiberglass construction, clean modernist lines, quality American craftsmanship, ...
Category
Unknown Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Fiberglass
Thonet No 18 Cane & Bentwood Dining Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Denton, TX
Thonet No 18 Cane & Bentwood Dining Chairs- Set of 6
Category
Polish Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Cane, Wood
Lowback Falcon Lounge Chair in Brown Leather
Located in Berkeley, CA
Origin: Norway
Designer: Sigurd Ressell
Manufacturer: Vatne Møbler
Era: 1960s
Materials: Leather, Bent Beech
Measurements: 31″ wide x 28″ deep x 32.5″ tall
Seat Height: 18″ tall
Category
Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Leather, Beech
Vintage Charles Eames "PAW Chair" Swivel Fiber Glass Shell Dowel Leg 1950's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic dining chair with arms on a swivel dowel base, second edition, ca' 1950's. Salmon color with birch legs, beautiful patina.
Category
American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Steel
Set of 8 Pink Lucite Chrome Frame "Plia" Italian Chairs for Castelli, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Original and signed set of 8 "Plia" pink lucite with chrome frame folding chairs. This fantastic set was designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Castelli in 1967.
These folding chairs ar...
Category
Italian Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Aluminum, Enamel
Red "Pluff" Italian Folding Stool Chair by G. Piretti for Anonima Castelli, 1960
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning red "Pluff" folding stool chair in chrome with red colored polyurethane seat. The super rare and iconic "Pluff" was designed by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli and p...
Category
Italian Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Metal, Aluminum, Chrome
Mid Century Black Adirondack Beach Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Mid Century wooden Adirondack outdoor chairs.
Wonderful size and comfortable to sit on.
Great for a cabin or beach house.
Category
American Adirondack Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Dutch Children's Spindle Back High Chair in Birch by Kibofa
By Kibofa
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-century birch high chair by Kibofa with a round seat, curved spindle back and footrest. The name Kibofa stands for “Kinderstoelen en Boxen Fabriek”. In original condition and wit...
Category
Dutch Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Birch
Gio Ponti “Leggera” 2 Chairs by Cassina 1951 Wood Original Coating, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Milano, IT
Gio Ponti “LEGGERA” Couple chairs by Cassina 1951 wood original coating, Italy.
Category
Italian Other Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Wood
Set of Six Oak and Rush Chairs with Sculptural Legs, Europe 1940s
Located in ŁÓDŹ, PL
This exquisite mid-century dining set from the 1940s effortlessly merges historic charm with modern, organic design. Crafted from natural materials using traditional techniques, thes...
Category
French Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Rush, Oak
Renaissance Revival Savonarola Chair in Carved Walnut Restored and Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Renaissance Savonarola chair in carved walnut restored and wax polished.
Attributable : Fratelli Bonciani – Cascina.
About: Savonarola chair
The term derives from the chair on...
Category
Italian Renaissance Revival Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Walnut
George Nakashima Captain's Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George Nakashima Captain's Chair
Beautiful original Dark Surface wonderful spline details
Clients name to underside of the chair
Category
American Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Marcel Breuer Cesca Chairs, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of two chairs, model Cesca, designed by Marcel Breuer circa 1960, by unknown manufacturer.
Metal pipe frame, wood seat and back structure and rattan.
In good condition, with ...
Category
Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Metal
Set of Six Mid Century Dining Chairs Drexel Profile by John Van Koert circa 1950
By John Van Koert, Drexel
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite set of mid century dining chairs, designed by John Van Koert for the classic Profile series, made by Drexel. Circa 1950's ( 1957 ) the chairs feature a sculpted frame of so...
Category
American Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
A Classic Erick Buck Chair In Teak Ca' 1960's Danish Modern
By Erik Buch
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A classic teak occasional or desk chair by Erick Buch, Denmark ca' early 1960's. Original black leatherette upholstery, chair is tight and sturdy. Great design, perfect for a small s...
Category
Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Teak
Set Six Marcel Breuer Mid Century Modern Cesca Chairs Knoll International 1973
By Knoll, Marcel Breuer
Located in Portland, OR
This is a set of six original Cesca chairs designed by Marcel Breuer & made by Knoll International, each chair with the original Knoll label, New York 1973.
This iconic chair was des...
Category
American Mid-Century Modern Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Chrome
Pair Easy Chairs in Sheepskin in the manner of Erik Bertil Karlén, Sweden 1940s
By Eric Karlén
Located in Utrecht, NL
This pair of easy chairs exemplifies the craftsmanship of Swedish modern furniture and its understated luxury. The 1940s saw a departure from the ornate and glamorous Art Deco era to...
Category
Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Sheepskin, Wood
Set of 4 "Lens" Chairs by G. Offredi Blue Velvet and Chrome, Saporiti Italy 1968
Located in Roma, IT
Marvellous midcentury armchairs with tubular steel structure and seats. "Lens" model was designed by Giovanni Offredi and produced for Saporiti, around 1968 in Italy.
These items are made of a stunning new stain-resistant, fire-retardant petrol blue velvet. A magnificent and iconic set that will be perfect for a living room or study, thanks to the brightness of the chromed steel structure.
These pieces are in amazing vintage conditions as shown in the photos.
The shipping quote refers to the chairs shipped with the seating disassembled from the chrome base.
Giovanni Offredi (born 1927, Milan–died 2007, Milan) was a prominent Italian furniture and product designer of the second half of the 20th century. As opposed to most of the other Italian furniture designers of his time, Giovanni Offredi was not an architect, nor did he start designing early in his professional career. Instead, Offredi partially fits the career path of some of the talented contemporary designers who pursue product design outside of a formal education in architecture.
The earliest furniture design work known by Giovanni Offredi consists of exemplary furnishings made specifically for some of the wealthy families in Milan. Such is the case of the works done by Offredi for Casa C., in 1960, in Gorgonzola, a small town 14 miles from Milan. These works were designed with a surprisingly minimal simplicity and elegance, and they also clearly display a hallmark of his design work with the use of angular lines and exposed metal or wood frames—not unlike some of the modern Scandinavian design of the time.
In the late 1960s, Giovanni Offredi met Sergio Saporiti, the owner of Italian design shop and furniture maker Saporiti, and in 1970, Offredi formalized a partnership with the furniture maker. This partnership would be long and successful and resulted in many furniture designs of distinct precision that were clearly modern and innovative and that went on to enjoy considerable commercial success.
The most prominent furniture designs that Offredi made for Saporiti include the Paracarro table...
Category
Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Steel, Stainless Steel, Chrome
"Tric" Chair Design Achille & Piergiacomo Castiglioni for BBB Emmebonacina, 1965
Located in taranto, IT
"Tric" model folding chair, design achille and piergiacomo castiglioni for BBB emmebonacina, 1965
Solid wood structure with molded plywood elements
It measures 82 cm in height,...
Category
Italian Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Wood
Mid Century B 236 Chairs Designed by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima Italy, 50s
By RIMA, Gastone Rinaldi
Located in Lucija, SI
Rare pair of model B 236 chairs designed by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima Italy
They are made in 1951
Category
Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Aluminum
Maison Regain Chairs - Set of 6
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Set of 6 Maison Regain leather and elm wood chairs.
Wonderful rich patina to leather and solid construction in the style of Pierre Chapo.
France 1960's.
Category
French Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Leather, Elm
Carved African Bamileke Throne Chair
Located in Troy, MI
This circa 1980s hand carved African chair was made by a member of the Bamileke tribe from Cameroon. Hand carved dark stained wood arm chair with rounded, open-work back that feature...
Category
Cameroonian Tribal Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Wood
Børge Mogensen Style Lounge Chair Model 2207 in Natural Patinated Leather
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Stunning Børge Mogensen Style designed lounge chairs made in a supple natural vegetable tanned beige leather. Almost identical to Borge Mogensen's model 2321. One of the most elegant...
Category
Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
French Metal Heart Chairs by Mathieu Matégot, 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
A set of four iconic chairs designed by the renowned Mathieu Matégot. These chairs are characterized by heart-shaped tubular steel frames, the famous perforated seat, and elegantly c...
Category
French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Mid-20th Century Chairs
Materials
Steel
Read More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?
From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.
Learn Why Designer Maarten Baas Set This Charles Rennie Mackintosh Chair on Fire
What happens when you do something to a piece of furniture that you shouldn’t? It becomes an entirely new object.
Kaleidoscopic Upholstery Makes This Edward Wormley Chair a Showstopper
What at first glance seems an unusual choice jibes perfectly with the designer's aesthetic.
Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.
How to Reupholster a Chair
Want to update an old chair that still has good bones? We spoke to experts to find out how they approach reupholstering antique furniture.
How to Spot Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI Chairs
A field guide for anyone who wants to brush up on their knowledge of French antiques
The Ball Chair, Eero Aarnio’s Space Age Masterpiece, Was Almost Never Made
Now considered emblematic of 1960s mod aesthetics, the Finnish designer's famous creation was far from an overnight success.