Eames, Charles. (1907-1978) & Eames, Ray. (1912-1988) & Girard, Alexander. (1907-1993)
Archive of Furniture Designs, Photographs and Autograph Documents
An interesting collection of photographs and documents from the husband and wife American designers who made significant historical contributions to the development of modern architecture and furniture, and their close friend and colleague, designer Alexander "Sandro" Girard. The friendship between the Eameses and the Girards began in the 1940's and continued for many years. Girard, with his passion for bright colors and geometric patterns, designed fabrics for the Eames and other designers at Herman Miller, where such iconic pieces as the Eames Chair were developed.Items:
1. Four leaves from an Alexander Girard notebook, with designs and specifications for four ottomans using Herman Miller woolen fabrics. Girard was the chief fabric designer for Herman Miller, where Ray and Charles Eames designed furniture. Pencil drawings with fabrics colored in colored pencil. Hole punched. One leaf slightly creased, otherwise in very fine condition; 21.6 x 27.9 cm.
2. Fourteen contact prints taken by Charles Eames ca. 1960 of the home and contents of Alexander and Susan Girard's home in Santa Fe. The images include inside and outside views of the Southwestern-style house, and pictures of the Girards' collection of Hopi Kachina figures and Indonesian puppets. In fine condition; each 10.3 x 12.8 cm. Girard, whose work was influenced by his passion for folk art, had an art collection that numbered over 100,000 pieces, including toys, dolls, icons, and other ethnic expressions. In 1978, Girard contributed his immense collection to the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe.
3. Three covers of envelopes from Charles and Ray Eames, addressed to Alexander and Susan Girard in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Postmarked May 13, 1948, March 2, 1950, and February 2, 1952. Two of the envelopes are addressed by hand in various bold and quirky scripts. In very good condition. Two covers 24.2 x 10.5 cm, one 12.7 x 10.1 cm.
4. Six black-and-white snapshots of an event at the Eames studio. Ray is seen greeting guests, carrying a camera; Charles can be seen smiling in a bow tie. Some white lines across the images from a scratched lens; otherwise in fine condition. Each 9 x 12.8 cm.
5. Note from Ray Eames to the Girard family and their house: "Sandro, Susan, Sansi, Marshall, House / All beautiful, all missed, all loved / Ray." Letter creases; otherwise in fine condition. 21.5 x 27.7 cm.
6. Two telegrams to Alexander Girard in Santa Fe, announcing the death of the Finnish architect and industrial designer Eero Saarinen, dated September 1 and September 2, 1961. In fine condition; each 20.3 x 14.5 cm. Saarinen, known early on for his modern chair designs and later for his neofuturistic architectural works such as the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, worked closely with both Eames and Girard.
7. Original 1960's photograph of Alexander Girard in his studio. The designer is shown in front of shelves of art supplies and model boats. A crisp image in very fine condition. 25 x 20.3 cm. (12897)
Archive Art & Design