This is an original 1958 Aluminum Group reclining lounge chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. This example is a true collector’s item, as the Saran upholstery is quite rare and coveted. It has the “Patent Pending” stamp branded into its cast aluminum base. The polyester saran fabric, developed in concert with Alexander Girard, was initially chosen to allow the chairs to be utilized outdoors. The fabric did not stand up to the elements as well as the designers had hoped, and was never mass-produced, rendering this example a true piece of history. Some consider these be pre-production examples, though Daniel Ostroff from the Eames Institute had noted that these were available in the catalog with Saran as an option for a brief period early in production. This particular chair from a home in Palm Desert, California.

The chair measures 39 inches tall, 26 inches wide and 32 inches deep. The original polyester saran fabric is both torn and stained. The aluminum base has pitting and some rust. There are chips to the enamel on the armrests. It is missing one of its foot pads. Please see photos.