Alexey Brodovitch

"Designers of Low-Cost Furniture," House and Garden, April 1949, pp. 119, 176
Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., Prize Designs for Modern Furniture, New York, 1950, pp. 26-31

Overall very good original condition. The plywood elements of this chair with minute losses to the edges, scratches, nicks and dents consistent with age. With isolated spots of discoloration as seen in the catalogue illustration. With some losses to the plywood, some the result of age and use, others from the original productions adjacent to the holes in the frame and metal crossbar. Minor red discoloration along the edge, which appears original to the material. All the elements of the chair appear intact and original.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In 1948, Alexey Brodovitch entered a design competition sponsored by the Museum of Modern Art.  Organized by Edgar Kaufman, Jr. ,artists were challenged to develop cost effective furniture designs for use in the smaller homes of the postwar period.  Under the guidelines to create works that "fit the need of modern living, production and merchandizing", the museum received over 3,000 submissions from all over the world. 

During his 25 year tenure as Harper's Bazaar's art director, Alexey Brodovitch established his trademark layout style, dominated by pioneering use of white space and asymmetry.  These same principles which governed his noteworthy graphic design and photography, also translated into his limited furniture output.

The current rocking chair model was awarded third prize in the seating category and Brodovitch received $1,250 for this distinction.  Using cost efficient and readily available materials, Brodovitch submitted not only the winning collapsible rocker, but other chair variants with and without arms.  In 1950, all the award winning designs, including furniture by Charles Eames, James Prestini and Robin Day, were introduced as part of the museum's groundbreaking Low-Cost Furniture exhibition.  Another example of this chair remains in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.