Stuart Parr’s Manhattan Loft, with custom shelving for his collection of Warren McArthur Furniture.
Parr is the world’s expert on McArthur furniture. After he witnessed the sale of a pricey aluminum chair, he turned it over to read the label, Warren McArthur, Rome, New York. The following day, he traveled to Rome and “expected to find McArthur furniture everywhere… I was so depressed” Later, Parr tracked down some of the factory workers to get a better grasp on the pieces produced by McArthur. Today, Parr has the exclusive rights to reproduce McArthur’s designs.
Warren McArthur was an early pioneer of aluminum streamlined furniture, as well as anodization and coloring of aluminum. A graduate of Cornell University, he set up a factory in Rome, NY that produced these remarkable streamlined pieces.
Warren McArthur Cube Settee, 1933
Manufactured in Rome, NY
Ortofrutta Crates, Andrea Salvetti
Streamline Lamp (attributed to Walter von Nessen)
Pattyn Products Company, circa 1930
Since I won’t be able to make it to this incredible sale, let me tell you what this is.
No, it’s not Pee Wee’s bike, it’s a 1937 Evinrude Streamflow, made by the guys who make outboard motors for boats. These were among the first aluminum frame bicycles and this one looks to be complete. Most of them were recalled or destroyed because the aluminum frames cracked without warning. Restored, these things go for insane amounts of money. I know there’s a guy on ebay who is always trying to get $12,000+ for his, but they tend to go for about $8,000.
Yeah, $8,000 for a bike you won’t want to ride because you know it will kill you. Even in this shape, it is probably worth a few thousand, which is still insane. I’m not gonna lie, I am tempted, but I know there are so many dealers who probably have their eyes on this already. I’ll stick to hand-built steel frames, thanks.
