{"product_id":"greta-grossman-desk","title":"Rare Greta Grossman Model 6200 Desk for Glenn of California, 1952 — Dave Brubeck Estate","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAn exceptional and highly collectible \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eoriginal Greta Magnusson Grossman Model 6200 desk\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, designed in 1952 and manufactured by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGlenn of California\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. One of Grossman’s most recognizable furniture designs, this desk is an important example of postwar California modernism and is represented in the permanent collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). LACMA identifies the design as the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDesk (with storage unit), Models 6200 and 6200a\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, designed in 1952 and manufactured circa 1952–1954. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis particular example carries an additional layer of remarkable provenance: \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eit comes from the estate of legendary American jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, one of the defining figures of modern jazz and a leading exponent of the cool-jazz movement. His most famous song \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=tT9Eh8wNMkw\u0026amp;list=RDtT9Eh8wNMkw\u0026amp;start_radio=1\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTake Five\u003c\/a\u003e is the best selling jazz single of all time. The association feels especially appropriate for a design that, much like Brubeck’s music, is built around asymmetry, balance, rhythm, and unexpected combinations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eGrossman created the desk for Glenn of California during one of the most important periods of her American career. Swedish-born and trained as a cabinetmaker and designer, Grossman brought the discipline of Scandinavian furniture making to the emerging language of Southern California modernism. LACMA specifically notes the desk’s combination of Scandinavian and Californian influences, particularly its \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003easymmetrical composition, contrast of light and dark surfaces, and inventive combination of walnut, iron and Formica\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe design is remarkable for how visually light Grossman made these otherwise substantial materials appear. A broad \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eblack writing surface\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e seems almost to float above the structure. On one side, a suspended walnut storage cabinet provides the visual weight of the composition; on the opposite side, Grossman reduces the support to an extraordinary arrangement of a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ediagonally positioned tapered walnut leg and slender black iron rods\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. The \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e singled out this very design as an example of Grossman’s ability to make heavy materials appear virtually weightless. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eViewed from the side, the desk becomes almost architectural. The diagonal walnut support intersects with the black iron framework, while delicate metal legs terminating in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003esmall spherical brass-toned feet\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e lift the cabinet from the floor. The juxtaposition of warm walnut, black surfaces, iron and metal details gives the desk a graphic quality that is unmistakably Grossman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe photographs also reveal how thoughtfully the storage was designed. A black cabinet door opens to reveal an organized interior incorporating \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003edrawers, open storage and a pull-out work surface\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, allowing Grossman to conceal the functional elements of an office within an exceptionally clean exterior. Period examples of the Model 6200 are documented with the same concealed drawers and pull-out work surface. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe desk is closely associated with Grossman’s celebrated \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“62 Series” for Glenn of California\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, developed in 1952. The collection received its futuristic name because Glenn of California founder Robert Baron reportedly considered the designs approximately ten years ahead of their time. \u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eThat description remains remarkably convincing more than seventy years later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis is not a contemporary reissue, but an \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eoriginal vintage Glenn of California production desk from the period\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, constructed in walnut, black composite\/laminated surfaces and iron. The combination of original vintage manufacture, one of Grossman’s most celebrated designs, and documented provenance from the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eestate of Dave Brubeck\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e makes this a particularly compelling example for a serious collector of American and Scandinavian modern design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBrubeck (1920–2012) was internationally celebrated for expanding the rhythmic vocabulary of jazz, frequently working with unusual meters and contrasting rhythms. The Dave Brubeck Quartet’s landmark album \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eTime Out\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e included Paul Desmond’s \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Take Five,”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e written in 5\/4 time, which became one of the most recognizable jazz recordings of the twentieth century. A Grossman desk owned by Brubeck brings together two important strands of postwar American culture: the experimentation of modern jazz and the progressive design culture of mid-century California.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eToday, Grossman’s Model 6200 desk is recognized as a significant work of twentieth-century design. Beyond the example held by LACMA, the model is documented by major design galleries and has appeared repeatedly at specialist design auctions. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDesigner:\u003c\/b\u003e Greta Magnusson Grossman\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Glenn of California\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eModel:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 6200 \/ 62 Series Desk\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDesign Date:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 1952\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e United States\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Mid-Century Modern\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Walnut, black composite\/laminated surface, iron and metal details\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e From the estate of Dave Brubeck\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eProduction:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original vintage Glenn of California production\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions: \u003c\/strong\u003e47.5 L x 24 D x 28.5 H  - Knee space 28 Wide \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hobbs Modern","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46013456613429,"sku":"HM-260918-926","price":14995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0293\/5534\/3925\/files\/Vintage_Greta_Grossman_Desk_-22.jpg?v=1790654649","url":"https:\/\/hobbsmodern.com\/products\/greta-grossman-desk","provider":"Hobbs Modern","version":"1.0","type":"link"}