Park Chair
Needle Case (photograph courtesy of Bunny's Place)
Design Representation
Design Details
Needle Case Type: |
Figural |
Patent/Registered to: |
Coggins & Baxter - Birmingham |
Patent/Design Representation #: |
Ornamental Class1: Metal: #299476 |
Patent/Design Registration Date: |
March 29, 1876 |
Location of Patent/Design Registration: |
The National Archives (TNA) - Kew, UK |
Reference #: |
TNA Representation - BT 43/40/299476
TNA Register - BT 44/3/299476 |
Dimensions: |
3 x 4.2 x 6.1 |
Material: |
Brass |
Name Variations: |
a) W. Avery & Son – Redditch
b) Unmarked |
Other Variations: |
None |
Additional Photographs
Back open and folded views
Back diamond registation mark detail and back with Avery signature (photo with Avery signature from eBay)
Facts
A park chair is similar to a camp chair or folding chair. It is a portable lightweight chair that folds flat and can be stored easily in a
stack. Folding chairs come in several different styles, some are made of plain metal or heavy plastic, whereas others are of wood and
ocassionaly have fabric or canvas seats and backs. Since they are light and easy to carry, they can be taken to places where one normally
doesn’t see chairs, hence bringing more comfort to campers, hikers, beachgoers and the like.
History
Early folding chairs used by the Greeks, Romans and Vikings were simple affairs without arms or a back. These were made of wood with a
cloth seat and some contained artistic carvings or inlaid designs. In the Middle Ages folding chairs became more common and by the 15th and
16th centuries arms and a head rest were added. The first patent for a folding chair in the USA was registered in 1855. During the
Victorian period folding chairs were used in many different situations such as to set up a luncheon in a park or garden or for a get together with
friends to play cards at a seaside resort. By the 1860s wooden folding chairs made with woven cane seats and backs were used on steam ship
decks. These “deck or steamer chairs” were very popular in the late 19th and early 20th century during the golden age of ocean liner travel.
Miscellaneous
Today most folding chairs are used in situations
were permanent seating is impractical. This includes school graduations, sporting events and competitions in large auditoriums build for
another purpose. Folding chairs are also found at community events and fairs where seating is needed. They are also used at funerals and
weddings, although the wedding variety often are covered with decorative cloth wraps. Most modern families have a couple of folding chairs
stored in the garage or basement to use as temporary seating at the dinner table when there are more guests then usual and extra seating is needed.
