Set of Four Chairs from the First Class Dining Room of the S.S. United States

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Set of Four Chairs from the First Class Dining Room of the S.S. United States

About the Item

Set of four chairs from the original first Class dining room of the SS United States transatlantic ocean liner whose maiden voyage was in 1952. Designed by naval architect William Francis Gibbs and interior designer Dorothy Marckwald. Launched in 1951, the SSUS was the most graceful and powerful in the world, breaking the eastbound speed record on her maiden voyage. With a weight-saving aluminum superstructure, “America’s Flagship,” as she came to be known, invented a new Mid-Century aesthetic that married performance and glamour. These chairs were purchased at the original 1984 Guernsey's auction and have been stored ever since. Solid aluminum frames were required for fire retardancy. Tapered legs wrapped in black leather with stainless steel feet. Original upholstery has stains. Sold as a set of four only. SS United States is a retired luxury passenger liner built in 1952 for United States Lines. Built at a cost of $79.4 million ($733 million in today's dollars) the ship is the largest ocean liner constructed entirely in the US and the fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic in either direction. She was designed by American naval architect William Francis Gibbs, and could be turned into a troopship should the need arise. The United States never was involved in any wars but was operated uninterrupted in transatlantic passenger service until 1969. In the following two decades she went through several different owners, all of whom tried unsuccessfully to make the liner profitable. Over time the ships fittings were sold at auction, and repairs were made that left her almost completely stripped by 1994. Two years later she was towed to Pier 82 on the Delaware River in Philadelphia where she remains today. Since 2009, a group called SS United States Conservancy has been trying to raise funds to save the ship. The group ended up purchasing her in 2011 but has had a few of its plans fall through which included a "multi-purpose waterfront complex". As the group ran out of money in 2015 it began looking at potentially scrapping the ship, but more donations came in which extended fundraising. This has happened more than once since as the group continues to look at redevelopment plans. The United States still retains the Blue Riband for crossing the Atlantic Ocean as a passenger liner in regular service with the highest average speed. The Big U. #oceanliner.

Creator:
Dorothy "Dot" Marckwald (Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 23 in (58.42 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
Sold As:
Set of 4
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Aluminum
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1950-1959
Date of Manufacture:
1951
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Hanover, MA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU88668256363