Reflecting on George Mulhauser’s decades-long career conjures up images of him sitting in his well-known Mr. Chair — a luxurious reclining mid-century modern lounge chair for Plycraft made from a single sheet of plywood — and thinking to himself what mark he would leave on the world of furniture design.
Mulhauser studied industrial design at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated in 1953. His early designs were quite venturesome and landed him his first design job in the Manhattan studio of architect, journalist and designer George Nelson, who was the director of design for legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer Herman Miller.
In 1955, Mulhauser designed his now-immediately recognizable Coconut chair. Angular and visually striking, this alluring lounge chair, with its sloping molded plastic shell, was something of a prelude. Soon, Mulhauser would make the acquaintance of American furniture designer Paul McCobb. Mulhauser collaborated with McCobb on concepts for molded fiberglass chairs, and McCobb’s Origami chair for Directional would become a big hit on the mid-20th century market.
Mulhauser kept busy. In his home studio, he sketched out each furniture design on paper and then translated them to handmade scale models. Mulhauser engaged his neighbors and family in trying out his sophisticated seating and gathered feedback for improvements. He designed his Mr. Chair for Plycraft — an adjustable armchair with a seat of tufted leather that yielded a series — and collaborated with many other companies throughout his career, including Directional, Singer, Overman and the Design Institute of America. He also taught furniture design at Pratt Institute, while the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts brought him on as an instructor of 3-D design.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage George Mulhauser chairs, lounge chairs and other furniture.
Mid Century Modern Plycraft Mulhauser Mr Chair and Ottoman
By George Mulhauser
Located in Tulsa, OK
Iconic Plycraft George Mulhauser Mr chair and ottoman. Above average condition and structurally sound. Walnut veneer has some small chips and sligh...
Faux Leather, Walnut
$4,500
H 39 in W 36.5 in D 31.5 in
1960s vintage Mr. Chair and ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft
By George Mulhauser, Plycraft
Located in Phoenix, AZ
1960s vintage Mr. Chair and ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft. This iconic mid century modern chair features sculptural bent walnut armrests and new textured leather tufted up...
Leather, Walnut
$4,995 / set
H 37.5 in W 32.5 in D 28 in
Mid 20th MCM Mr. Chair Lounge Chair & Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft
By Plycraft, George Mulhauser
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous Mid Century Modern “The Mr. Chair” lounge chair & ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft comprised of walnut bentwood frames or shells, tan vinyl or faux leather, black pa...
Metal
$2,212 / set
H 36.23 in W 31.5 in D 33.86 in
MS68 Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Madsen & Schubell, 1960s
By Madsen & Schubell
Located in Praha, CZ
Adjustable Mid-Century lounge chair with matching ottoman designed by Madsen & Schubell, model MS68, produced by Bovenkamp in Denmark in the 1960s. This iconic Scandinavian moder...
Metal
$2,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 40 in W 35 in D 28 in
Iconic Space Age Version Mr. Chair and Ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft
By George Mulhauser, Plycraft
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Iconic space-age version of the Mr. Chair and matching ottoman by Plycraft. This molded ply lounge chair/ottoman is designed by George Mulhauser and made by Plycraft features stylish...
Upholstery, Walnut
$3,182Sale Price / item|23% Off
H 39.5 in W 38.5 in D 38 in
George Mulhauser Mr. Chair & Ottoman by Plycraft
By Charles and Ray Eames, George Mulhauser, Plycraft, Arne Jacobsen
Located in Chattanooga, TN
This listing is for ONE chair with ottoman. The second chair has been sold. Beautifully restored Mid-Century Modern white lounge chair with ottomans designed in the manner of George...
Metal
$6,500 / set
H 36.5 in W 36.5 in D 35 in
Mid Century Modern 1960s Plycraft George Mulhauser “Mr. Chair” and Ottoman
By Plycraft, George Mulhauser
Located in Phoenix, AZ
1960s vintage Mr. Chair and ottoman by George Mulhauser for Plycraft. This iconic mid century modern chair features sculptural bent walnut armrests and brand new black vinyl tufted u...
Faux Leather, Walnut
$34,000
H 38.6 in W 30.3 in D 32 in
Brazilian Modern "Paulistana" Armchair with Ottoman by Jorge Zalszupin, c. 1959
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
Designed in 1959 by Jorge Zalszupin and produced by his firm L’Atelier, the Paulistana lounge chair and ottoman stand among the most emblematic works of Brazilian modernism. Conceive...
Metal
Mr. Chair' Lounge Chair by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, 1960s
By George Mulhauser
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A swivelling lounge chair and ottoman for Plycraft having molded walnut shells and bases form fitted with seamless upholstery that is devoid of tufting.
Steel
Mid Century Lounge Chair by Geoffrey Harcourt, 1960s
By Geoffrey Harcourt
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Attractive mid century leather armchair with tufted leather cushions and sling leather armrests. Designe dby Geoffrey Harcourt for Artifort Starshaped chrome base. The loung...
Chrome
