The Mithra Neuman Collection
Truly great collectors are a very rare breed. I was fortunate enough to come into contact with one when I was introduced to Mithra Neuman in 1995. Immediately, I was struck by his commitment and dedication to seeking out the highest quality example of each item for his collection, which to my great excitement was to now include important 20th century furniture design, and in particular the work of Charles and Ray Eames. Condition and absolute originality were, and remain, prime concerns to Mithra. But so too is the historic academic placing of objects. For example, much of the furniture by the Eameses was produced in large numbers over many years. The examples of major interest to him, therefore, were those closest to their actual dates of design. With these parameters in place it is safe to say that together, over a ten-year period, we formed the largest and most important collection of Eames furniture in private hands.
Many objects in the collection included exceptionally rare pre-production prototypes, such as the three-legged CTM and the three-legged tray table, or unique pieces, such as the 16-panel FSW and composite table for IBM — all of which are offered for sale here. But while the collection continues to evolve, the practicalities of appropriate available space remains a determinate factor in whether or not to deaccession objects. And in the case of the Neuman collection, all objects have always been sited and used within the context of functioning domestic interiors. Lack of space now demands an editing of the collection, but with the help of Wright, we are pleased to make available once again to all discerning collectors, both public and private, some supreme examples of some of the most important and innovative furniture ever created. —Peter Fiell
Charles and Ray Eames
pre-production DCWs, pair
Evans Products
USA, 1945
walnut plywood, rubber, steel
19.5 w x 22 d x 29 h inches
Signed with red manufacturer’s paper label to underside of each example: [Evans Evans].
Estimate: $3,000–5,000
Result: $3,600
Unlike production models, these examples have circular and ovoid metal washers between the shock mounts at the backrest and underneath the seat.
Literature: Eames Design: The Work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames, Neuhart, Neuhart and Eames, ppg. 58-59
Provenance: Neuman Trust Collection
One chair backrest has veneer cracks on upper front edges. These have been stabilized with glue, they extend 2” on one side, 1” on the other. This chair is missing two screws to underside. The wood grain on the seat does not match the back. Overall light wear to wooden surfaces. Second chair has rubbing to finish on top edge of seat back, area of roughness (3”) on the top edge of the left back leg. This example has a paper Evans label.
