1964 George Nelson & Robert Propst for Herman Miller Action Office Desk
About the Item
- Creator:Herman Miller (Manufacturer),George Nelson (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.75 in (75.57 cm)Width: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)Depth: 49.75 in (126.37 cm)
- Style:Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1964
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Philadelphia, PA
- Reference Number:
George Nelson
Architect, designer, and writer George Nelson was a central figure in the mid-century American modernist design movement; and his thoughts influenced not only the furniture we live with, but also how we live.
Nelson came to design via journalism and literature. Upon receiving his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Yale in 1931, he won the Prix de Rome fellowship, and spent his time in Europe writing magazine articles that helped bring stateside recognition to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Gio Ponti, Le Corbusier and other canonical modernist architects. In the 1940s, Nelson wrote texts that suggested such now-commonplace ideas as open-plan houses, storage walls and family rooms. D.J. De Pree, the owner of the furniture maker Herman Miller, was so impressed by Nelson that in 1944 — following the sudden death of Gilbert Rohde, who had introduced the firm to modern design in the 1930s — he invited Nelson to join the company as its design director.
There Nelson’s curatorial design talents came to the fore. To Herman Miller he brought such eminent creators as Charles and Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, and the textile and furniture designer Alexander Girard. Thanks to a clever contract, at the same time as he directed Herman Miller he formed a New York design company, George Nelson & Associates, that sold furniture designs to the Michigan firm, as well as its competitor, the Howard Miller Clock Company. Nelson’s New York team of designers (who were rarely individually credited) would create such iconic pieces as the Marshmallow sofa, the Coconut chair, the Ball clock, the Bubble lamp series and the many cabinets and beds that comprise the sleek Thin-Edge line.
For dedicated collectors, as well as for interior designers who look beyond “the look,” there is a “cool-factor” inherent to vintage pieces from George Nelson and others. Nelson was in on it from the start, and it’s valuable to have a piece that was there with him. But still, as is evident from the offerings from dealers on these pages, in any of the designs, in any iteration whose manufacture Nelson oversaw and encouraged, there are shining elements of lightness, elegance, sophistication — and a little bit of swagger. George Nelson felt confident in his ideas about design and didn’t mind letting the world know.
Herman Miller
No other business of its kind did more than the Herman Miller Furniture Company to introduce modern design into American homes. Working with legendary designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson and Alexander Girard, the Zeeland, Michigan-based firm fostered some of the boldest expressions of what we now call mid-century modern style. In doing so, Herman Miller produced some of the most beautiful, iconic and, one can even say, noblest furniture ever.
Founded in 1923, Herman Miller was originally known for grand historicist bedroom suites: heavily ornamented wood furniture that appealed to a high-minded, wealthier clientele. The company — named for its chief financial backer — began to suffer in the early 1930s as the Great Depression hit, and D.J. De Pree, the company’s CEO, feared bankruptcy. In 1932, aid came in the form of Gilbert Rohde, a self-taught furniture designer who had traveled widely in Europe, absorbing details of the Art Deco movement and other modernist influences. After persuading De Pree that the growing middle-class required smaller, lighter household furnishings, Rohde set a new course for Herman Miller, creating sleek chairs, tables and cabinetry that were the essence of the Streamline Moderne style.
Rohde died suddenly in 1944. The following year, De Pree turned to George Nelson, an architect who had written widely about modern furniture design. Under Nelson’s leadership, Herman Miller would embrace new technologies and materials and audacious biomorphic forms. Some of the pieces the company produced are now emblems of 20th century American design, including the Eames lounge chair and ottoman and Nelson’s Marshmallow sofa and Coconut chair. As you can see on 1stDibs, such instantly recognizable furnishings have become timeless — staples of a modernist décor; striking, offbeat notes in traditional environments.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Lebanon, PA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- 1970s 4ft George Nelson & Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ DrawersBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is an original 1970s Herman Miller Action Office desk with two drawers, designed by George Nelson and Robert Probst. This is a delightful...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Desks
MaterialsLaminate, Oak, Wood
- 1970s 6ft George Nelson & Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ DrawersBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is an original 1970s Herman Miller Action Office desk with two drawers, designed by George Nelson and Robert Probst. This is a delightful...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Desks
MaterialsLaminate, Oak
- 1970s 6ft George Nelson & Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ DrawersBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is an original 1970s Herman Miller Action Office desk with two drawers, designed by George Nelson and Robert Probst. This is a delightful...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Desks
MaterialsLaminate, Oak
- 1970s 4ft George Nelson & Robert Probst Herman Miller Office Desk w/ DrawersBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is a 1970s vintage Herman Miller Action Office desk, designed by George Nelson. This is a classic example of Nelson's work with great emphasis on simplicity and functionality. It has cast aluminum legs and basket-like pull-out drawers. We have multiple Action Office desks in stock...Category
Vintage 1970s American Modern Desks
MaterialsAluminum
- 1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Ebonized X Leg Dining Table / Desk 7230-XBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Philadelphia, PAListed for sale is a very rare George nelson X leg dining table / desk, produced by Herman Miller. This example is the model number 7230-X ta...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsSteel
- 1954 George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Twin Headboard 2x AvailableBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis is a single (two are available, though sold separately) Model 4695 George Nelson for Herman Miller twin headboard. The piece is forme...Category
Vintage 1950s American Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsSteel
- George Nelson Action Office Architect's Roll-Top Desk for Herman MillerBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Dallas, TXStriking black and walnut roll-top architect's desk with three drawers and hidden file storage. Produced in 1964 by the Herman Miller company for the Action Office Series...Category
Mid-20th Century American Desks
MaterialsAluminum
- Robert Propst For Herman Miller Action Office Stand-Up DeskLocated in Pasadena, TXAn Action Office desk designed by Robert Propst for Herman Miller in 1968. This mid century modern classic is wall mounted (mounting brackets included) ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Desks
MaterialsMetal
- 1970s Mid-Century George Nelson Herman Miller "Action Office" Rolltop Desk Exec.By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Basel, BSVery Rare and highly collectible original vintage George Nelson for Herman Miller rolltop "Action Desk". These early productions of these Herman Miller products hold more value than the more modern productions. This desk is beautiful from all angles. It is a brutalist, post modern, collectible work of art. Measures: Height: 34 inches Width: 54 inches Depth: 30 inches. Note: We do have the Herman Miller Aluminum Group desk chair...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal, Aluminum, Chrome
- George Nelson Desk for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in San Mateo, CADouble pedestal desk by Herman Miller. This desk was probably a custom order. There are three wide drawers and three small drawers. The top small drawer has a sliding pencil...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsChrome
- Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Roll Top Action Office Desk by George NelsonBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Lafayette, INThis is a wonderful early example of the Action Office Roll Top desk by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Desk features: Walnut roll top (4) action drawers Ebonized black side pane...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsAluminum, Chrome
- Midcentury Action Office Roll Top Desk George Nelson for H MillerBy George NelsonLocated in Pasadena, TXHerman Miller George Nelson action office series drafting desk 1965 design This vintage roll-top writing desk is from the Herman Miller "Action...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsAluminum
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
A Guide to Herman Miller’s Most Iconic Furniture
The prolific manufacturer has partnered with many of the world’s top designers since opening its doors in 1923. Here are some of the company’s greatest hits, which helped transform the American home and office.
Kule and Forsyth Give Iconic Furniture a Bold Makeover with Stripes
Maggie and Anne Genovese, of Forsyth, teamed up with fashion designer Nikki Kule to reimagine some classic pieces.