A Pair Of Rare W Hands & Co Draughtsman Adjustable Task Chairs From Churchills War Rooms 1943 Price Per Chair
Steeped in history these all original rare pair of W Hands & Sons Draughtsman/Clerks Task chairs are exceptional in design and history. Used in Churchills underground War Rooms which were the underground nerve centre that allowed Britain’s leaders to plot the allied route to victory during the Second World War.
These beautiful oak Draughtsman/Clerks Task chairs are stamped to underside with W Hands & Sons makers marks along with King George VI cypher. W Hands & Sons were commissioned to supply the War Rooms (and other important Government projects) after designing and creating the now rare and sought after Kings Coronation chairs in 1937 for King George’s Coronation. The design for these chairs was inspired by the earlier design version by Glenister of High Wycombe (Thomas snr 1837 - 1891) who later rented their factory to R.Tyzack who also produced a version of the chair. These stunning W Hands & Sons models are exceptionally rare as only produced in small numbers for specific Government projects, The War Rooms being one of these. The Glenister and Tyzack versions come to market from time to time and are themselves sought after pieces. However to have a chair with the history/provenance connected to Churchills War Rooms is unique. To think Churchill’s War Cabinet met in these underground Whitehall Map Rooms 115 times, most often during the Blitz and the later German V-weapon offensive, sat upon these very chairs planning the survival of Great Britain and her Allies.
The Whitehall basement was adapted to provide meeting places for the War Cabinet during air raids and also housed a military information centre based around a ‘Map Room'. Here, vital information for King George VI, Prime Minister Churchill and the armed forces was collected.
The Map Room at the Cabinet War Rooms was staffed day and night throughout the Second World War. It was here that some of the most important strategic decisions of the war were planned. It was in this room that Churchill spent the entirety of D-Day. And only a handful of people even knew this room existed.
From the estate of William Dixon who was one of the five Map Room “Glamour Boys” who alongside “The Plotters” and clerks manned the Map Rooms. In total over 500 people were based in the underground War Rooms from military top brass to clerks, each individuals role irrespective of rank was hugely important throughout World War II.
Chairs of rare pedigree/history both with functionality and fabulous design with moving back rest,height adjustment and swivel action to ensure any individual has the ultimate comfort. Oak frame with alloy metal rod and fixings, original red rexine studded upholstery. They don’t make them like this anymore. A great addition to any study/office or studio space. Will suit a multitude of settings in both residential and commercial.
Chairs lower setting 45cm highest setting 56cm. Width/Depth x 50cm x 50cm
Price is per chair.
As a genuine antique/vintage item there is wear and use commensurate with age. Some wooden products may have signs of historic woodworm. As a precaution we apply a clear triple action woodworm treatment that also kills wet rot, dry rot and woodworm. Please look at all the images carefully and ask any questions pre purchase as we do not unfortunately offer refunds due to the size and shipping costs of our antiques/items. All our items are available on line at Search & Rescued and other online stores.