Plycraft Lounge by Mulhauser

Plycraft Lounge by Mulhauser — went for $373.88 on eBay (Jan 22, 2006)

Besides producing a heckuva lotta Eames Lounge knockoffs, Plycraft also made a very special lounge of their own, designed by George Mulhauser in the mid-’50s.

These are a couple that were on the Bay Area craigslist a couple years ago. The green one with ottoman and cute little pillow was only $225. It can also be seen in orange vinyl at the Jackson’s Auction site.

Plycraft Lounge with ottoman in beautiful shape. $1495 at MetroRetro.

Plycraft Lounge with ottoman in yellow leather. Estimate €500 - €800 at Live Auctioneers.

A less common cloth upholstered Plycraft lounge. $550 at Mod20.

As far as I know, this chair swivels, but does not tilt. I think the bent ply on this design is wonderful, and apparently so does GOB (right) from Arrested Development, RIP.

This posting on the DC craigslist refers to it as “Mr. Chair” but I don’t find any other references of this cartoony kind. It’s such a silly name, the craigslist seller couldn’t have made that one up, could they?

» Search eBay for “Plycraft Lounge”
» Search eBay for “Mulhauser”

Comments

[Jason D]

I always knew Plycraft for it slight off-looking eames ottomans. I hadn't realized that Plycraft made such beautiful designs of its own.

[Gabe Scelta]

I found one of the black Mulhauser's in my housemates abandoned storage, without the base, and it sat there forever. I finally got a base for it. I was thinking about selling it, but not after sitting in it. It is the most comfortable thing ever.

[lovelyjmb]

I have a black Plycraft lounge with ottoman that was given to me by my grandmother. It was in great shape a few years ago and now with continued use over the years the chair has lost it's spring and will not stay completely upright. I love the chair but I have to lean it against a wall and tell people not to move in it too much or it will ruin my wall. Anyone know if the chair is still worth anything in this condition? It has original labels on the bottom of both the chair and ottoman that say Plycraft on them.

[adam]

Plycraft was a viable company in its own right, but they did rip off a lot of the Eames styling. The wide variety of lounge chairs produced by Plycraft are still fetching between 5-1000$.

To answer some other questions: Mr. Chair was indeed the name of your chair - I've seen it on some of the plycraft labels.

To fix your loose spring go to www.swivel-chair-parts.com

[Jelmar Geertsma]

That is one beautiful chair! I would like one.

[Abbey H]

This chair does indeed tilt. I love it and could stare at it all day!

[Warren Moore]

Some 44 years ago I worked for a modern design studio in Nashville, TN. Among other brands, we sold some Plycraft...and yes, the name of the Mulhauser-designed chair was indeed the "Mr." Chair. Interestingly enough, as you point out, you won't find it via Google using that name.

[Loopy]

Oh wow!!! I just bought this at an auction house nearby my house for cheap!
I knew it was a Eames Chair knockoff, but after much research, I could never find any other info on it.
Thank you for posting this!!!!
I will enjoy it that much more!

[Stephen Coles]

Loopy - congrats on your find. Plycraft made a lounge similar to the Eames' famous design, but If your chair is the one pictured in this entry it's not an Eames knockoff at all. It's an original design by Mulhauser for Plycraft.

[castine]

I just purchased the Ply Craft knockoff Lounge and Ottoman. I paid $800. Did I overpay?

[anne Story]

I have a 1965 chair, just like the black one above, with ottoman. How much is it worth?

[Kathryn Nowosielski]

We bought a Mulhauser Plycraft chair last year at the Mid-Century Modern Show in Cincinnati. Ours is white leather but it has small metal braces between the legs of the chair and the ottoman. It has the original paper tag that identifies it. After much research, yours is the only information that we have found. There is nothing at the Plycraft site. Thank you for posting the info and the pictures. By the way, we paid $375.00 for the chair and ottoman at the show which, is (in my opinion) mostly over priced on most items.

[J King]

These chairs routinely sell on e-bay for around $1000 if they are in good condition.

[Carl Celle]

I just picked a chair and ottoman this morning for $200. Came across it by chance as I was going to a yard sale looking for a mcm sleeper sofa. There is just something really cool about this chair. It's fresh to see something that is not in every issue of every design magazine.

It is in good shape except it's missing the spring in the tilt base. Can anyone send me a picture of what the base should look like with a spring? carlcelle@gmail.com

.....Note.... This site rocks!

Thanks

[G.Gonzalez]

I really like this chair. I bought the chair and ottoman this week and apparently it came in two sizes. My purchase came with the original receipt from 1962 and was originally purchased for $94- which I'm sure was a hefty sum for those days. The receipt said, "Jr. Mr Chair". And looking at some of the pictures above, my chair's back and arm rests are a little smaller. The chair fits great in my space. It came with a light blue cloth and still has the Plycraft label on the bottom. Oh, and it does recline just a bit.

[Doug R]

Anybody know if the Eames knock-offs came before the Mullhauser chair? Any help would be appreciated, as like others have said, the info for this stuff is hard to find and I want to know! Thanks, and I love everyone's enthusiasm.

[larry galluzzo]

I have two of the above chairs (mulhouser mr. chairs, black. i need the tilt and swivel mechanism,where can i get them?