We are still researching the exact designation for this Eames side chair, which has the extra padding on the back characteristic of the Eames posture support chairs, and the vinyl/hopsak mix of the Dash 99 series.

-99 was the suffix used for arm chairs with naugahyde backs and hopak seats as used on this example.

Click here for a related chair.

This example has come to us in such pristine condition, that it is a good opportunity to examine the Eames Office commitment to service and performance as put forth by Herman Miller with the following specs, from a 1970's catalog

"Legs shall be 14-gauge, 5/8" OD seamless steel tubing, zinc-plated with clear epoxy coating. Seat-supporting cross braces shall be 7/16" OD steel rod, resistance welded to legs.

Base plating shall withstand a minimum of 48 hours in a salt spray chamber with no evidence of blisters, checks, corrosion or fogging and shall remain uniform in appearance.

Glides: Injection-molded glides shall be heat-tempered, high-impact nylon of natural color."

By this date, the Eames Office and Herman Miller had replaced the shock mounts that were permanently affixed to the shells with loose rubber washers, inserted between the base and the shell. Upholstered shells like this example were made now with integral metal threaded holes, to secure the screws coming up from the legs.

We see on the underside of this shell the "C" and star symbol, the hallmark of Cincinnati Milling Machine, who by this time had been making Eames shells for at least ten years. By working closely with Charles and Ray Eames, the Cincinnati company achieved shells with richer, deeper colors, almost jewel like and certainly more resistant to fading, especially when compared to the early Zenith shells.

As much as possible on Eamesdesigns.com we try to Catalog examples with all original parts. The photography of this chair in particular (and most on this site) bears close examination, because here you can see the original screws and the original finish, as it left the factory.

Remarkable for a forty plus year old chair. Eames chairs are not sent as kits to be assembled by customers, so museums and experienced collectors have learned to look for chairs with original screws that have never been disassembled. In the antique world, one wants things in the condition in which they were originally, and "original condition Eames" means "fully assembled, as they left the factory." In case you are wondering if Charles and Ray Eames cared about the screws, please see this interview. with a Herman Miller factory foreman who worked closely with Charles and Ray Eames.

Below you can see a recent video we found on youtube, showing a happy Herman Miller customer unwrapping their new, authentic (assembled in the factory by American workers!) Eames design. This is how Eames designs have always been provided to the public.

Private Collection