MCM Herman Miller Action Office I Roll Top Desk by George Nelson & Robert Propst
View Similar Items
MCM Herman Miller Action Office I Roll Top Desk by George Nelson & Robert Propst
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 65 in (165.1 cm)Length: 32 in (81.28 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1964-1966
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. It is in fabulous vintage condition. The tambour roll top works wonderfully. There is a slight repair to the wood around the keyhole and the paint has been touched up in that spot.
- Seller Location:Topeka, KS
- Reference Number:Seller: SOB-CSG-0011stDibs: LU1873313011532
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.
- Vintage MCM George Nelson 5476 Lounge Chair for Herman Miller Fuchsia FabricBy Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome vintage MCM (a.k.a.) Mid-Century Modern 5476 lounge chair designed by George Nelson for Herman Miller. Comprised of a walnut frame and fuchsia fabric. Beautiful condition, k...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut
- MCM Desk by Robert John Co. Walnut & White Painted Steel Frame & Laminate TopBy KnollLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome Mid-Century Modern smaller writing desk by the Robert John Co. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania featuring walnut cabinet with white painted steel frame and white laminate top. This is from their Steelwood collection. It desk is in wonderful restored condition. We have sanded and put a new finish on the walnut and the metal frame. The laminate has been cleaned and polished. There are still signs of age but nothing major. Please see photos, circa 1960s. This wonderful Mid-Century Modern smaller size office desk has been a real puzzle. It has taken much research and I’m still not sure I know about the Robert John Co. from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their tag says Makers of Contemporary Furniture and that this desk is. When I google them all I come up with is other pieces of furniture being offered that were made by them, but I can’t find any history on the company. And, several listings say the piece was designed by Robert John but made by Knoll. I have not found supporting evidence of that statement! No matter. This is a fabulous desk with a walnut box cabinet containing three equal size drawers that are adorned with cool black and white handles. It is surrounded by a white painted metal frame which accents the walnut wonderfully and a white laminate work surface. This was originally in an architect’s office. I can see why. It has awesome lines and is beautifully designed. This desk is just the right size for a home office. Not as big as an executive desk but a little bigger than a writing desk. Fabulous! Fabulous style! Fabulous size! Fabulous condition! Make it yours. Attn: Since originally writing this I have obtained three vintage brochures...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal
- MCM Eames for Herman Miller Segmented Taupe Base Table Rectangular TopBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Topeka, KSGorgeous Eames for Herman Miller segmented base table with taupe base and table edge, rectangular natural oak wood veneer top, and aluminum spi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Conference Tables
MaterialsAluminum, Steel
- Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Modern Teak Roll Top Desk or DresserLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome vintage Scandinavian Modern teak roll top desk or dresser. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. It has some visible wear, particularly in the top, so you can see some scratches and dings. And it has a newly modified recessed black painted base as it encountered water at some point in its life and could not be refinished so we revamped it, modified, and painted the base black. There are some small rings on the desktop. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-20th Century. Need a GORGEOUS desk but have limited space? Well, here it is…. the perfect desk! This is a very handsome smaller roll top desk...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Desks
MaterialsTeak
- MCM Eames Herman Miller Natural Oak 60" Round Top Tables Black Universal BaseBy Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Topeka, KSWonderful vintage Mid-Century Modern Eames for Herman Miller 60” round tables comprised of light natural oak wood veneer tops, black universal bases, an...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsMetal, Aluminum
- MCM Mauve Hopsacking & Chrome Tubular Chairs by Peter Protzman for Herman MillerBy Peter Protzmann, Herman MillerLocated in Topeka, KSAwesome vintage Mid-Century Modern original mauve hopsacking & chrome tubular pair of chairs by Peter Protzman for Herman Miller. Beautif...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- 1964 George Nelson & Robert Propst for Herman Miller Action Office DeskBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis is an original Action Office desk, designed by George Nelson and Robert Propst for Herman Miller in 1964. Action Office was designed as a set of components that could be combine...Category
Vintage 1960s American Modern Desks
MaterialsMetal, Aluminum
- George Nelson Action Office Architect's Roll-Top Desk for Herman MillerBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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
- Mid-Century Modern Herman Miller Roll Top Action Office Desk by George NelsonBy George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated 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
$5,199 Sale Price20% Off - 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
- Rare Version of Herman Miller George Nelson Action Office Series Roll Top DeskBy George NelsonLocated in Pasadena, TXHerman Miller George Nelson George Nelson (1908-1986) was an important modernist whose work cut across the fields of interior, industrial and exhibition design. Nelson studied architecture at Yale University in the 1920s, and in the next two decades earned a strong reputation as a writer on design for Architectural Forum, Interiors and Fortune. Herman Miller George Nelson Action Office...Category
Vintage 1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsAluminum
- 1970s Mid-Century George Nelson Herman Miller "Action Office" Rolltop Desk Exec.By Herman Miller, George NelsonLocated 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
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.