Gardner & Co. Pierced Bent Ply and Oak Frame Arm Chair c.1872

This iconic bent ply arm chair is incredibly comfortable with it's ingenious ergonomic design.
 
This chair bears a makers mark with the maker's name and the date of 21 May 1872. This refers to the patent number, 127,045, that the firm had taken out for a 3-ply veneer chair seat. The firm of Gardner and Co. was active from 1863 to about 1887. It manufactured plywood seat furniture on a vast scale, establishing a new industry.

This chair is a typical Gardner product. It is comparable to examples that were shown at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition of 1876. Gardner's selling agents, Hutchins & Mabbett, advertised it as the strongest chair made for its weight. They recommended it highly as a church, Sabbath school or reception chair. In 1875 it cost $3.25.
 
This Particular chair was sourced from a movie prop company therefore has a stencilled prop identification number on lower back of seat as in photos.