Wright in Racine
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Update on Wright Chair
Posted by: mhertzberg on December 12, 2008 at 5:03PM CST

by Mark Hertzberg/Journal Times

     One of Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous desk chairs made for the SC Johnson Administration Building, 1525 Howe St., is still at a Chicago auction house, while police try to determine whether or not it was stolen from the company. SC Johnson contacted police Tuesday after an employee saw it listed on the ebay on-line auction web site, with an opening bid of $5,000.

     Richard Wright, owner of the Wright Auction House, 1440 W. Hubbard St., said Friday that he is waiting for further information from Racine police. "We take this matter very seriously. The chair is going to be held here, until we determine clear title to the chair. We are cooperating fully with the authorities."

     He has no doubt about the authenticity of the chair, but says that does not mean it was stolen from the company. "Obviously it was made for the Johnson company in about 1937. These are well documented chairs. It is important to know that just because a piece from the Johnson building is put on the auction block, it is being painted as, defacto, it would be stolen. To me that’s not the case. There have been numerous pieces on the market from this commission. Through the years, there is material from this commission at the Art Institute (of Chicago). It’s been sold at Christie’s, many other places. It didn’t raise any suspicion, i.e., it must be stolen."

     Wright says he has worked in the auction industry for more than 20 years. He has owned the gallery since 2000. The gallery is named after him, rather than to imply any connection to Frank Lloyd Wright. In fact, Wright says, "We sell relatively little Frank Lloyd Wright."

     He said Friday morning that he is waiting to hear from the police. "We are just waiting to resolve the title of the chair. We have no desire to traffic in stolen goods. If Johnson Wax proves good title to the chair, then they get the chair. We’re absolutely not fighting this."

     Sgt. Bernie Kupper, spokesman for the Racine Police Department said Friday that police are waiting for the company to complete an internal review of its furniture assets. Kelly M. Semrau, spokeswoman for SC Johnson, said the audit should be completed early next week.

 
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(6) Comments
Posted by: downtown_racine on December 12, 2008 6:21PM CST
I know its really rare and expensive art like furniture and design but I dont really believe anyone uses these chairs on a daily basis, just like the magnificent tower. Maybe I am wrong.

So a JWax employee and FLW aficionado stole a chair when he or she retired and either grew tired of it or passed away and the chair has surfaced in the public market.

Posted by: Prime Time on December 12, 2008 7:45PM CST
Posted by: Prime Time on December 12, 2008 8:40PM If you have ever filed a theft complaint and complain that person A has your property, the first thing you are told by the police is, "How do you know it's yours?" That being said, w/out serial numbers and or witnesses, the police will not seize any property which in a round about way is what they have done with this chair so to speak. They will take a report, but slim to none of getting your property back. Why would this be any different Mark? Like your update blog says, the owner of the auction house says there were other avenues of obtaining a chair like this. I am no lawyer, however, I do believe the city would be held liable to some extent for simply listening to a J-WAX employee. This is my opinion. I hope for everyones sake it is stolen because their will be egg on some faces if not. What if your great great grandpa was given this chair decades ago by Sam J. himself as a gift for great work or appreciation for a good deed?? And now you're trying to sell it legally and you get hassled for no reason?? You would be HIGHLY upset. You cannot tell me that everyone currently at J-WAX or even Sam's family knows/knew everything he did or everything he gave away. I heard Sam J. was a VERY generous man when he was around. The point is, NO ONE KNOWS, simply speculation.

Posted by: mhertzberg on December 13, 2008 2:17PM CST
Nobody has "seized" anything. The article clearly states that the chair is still at the auction house. All that has happened is that the chair was withdrawn from auction until the ownership issue is cleared up.

Mark Hertzberg

Posted by: Prime Time on December 14, 2008 3:59PM CST
Anymore updates on this??

Posted by: mhertzberg on December 14, 2008 5:02PM CST
Nothing new. According to SCJ, as quoted in the story, their audit is expected to be completed early this week. We will post updates as we learn of any progress in the case.

Mark Hertzberg

Posted by: spendy on December 20, 2008 6:48PM CST
I work for Johnson Diversey. We used to have one of the tables and chairs in our lobby. When this whoe scandal came about the manager wanted it removed because he didn't want it to come up missing. I can see his point but it is sad that its like this. They moved them (chair and table) to the global building. There is more security over there. It looks so empty now. I guess it is for the best. One day I came back to work only to see a cleaning lady cleaning the wood table with spitfire. I was floored. I guess it will get taking better care of over there. It was appreicted where is was and will be missed.

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