Recently I had the great fortune to speak with an extremely knowledgeable art dealer in New Jersey. The gist of our conversation was about George Nelson and his many wonderful mid-century modern designs, or what I thought were his designs. Turns out many were not.

What comes to mind when I think about Nelson designs are the whimsical atomic ball clocks and the iconic Marshmallow sofa. Although manufactured by a George Nelson company, these designs were the brain child of a man named Irving Harper. Mr. Harper, still living today at age 90, stays away from the lime-light now as he did in the heyday. A modest man but a brilliant designer, architect and scupltor. Unfortunately, little is known about him and he is rarely given due credit for the designs that have made George Nelson famous.

Paul Kowalchuk of TDA Archives, an archival company representing artists of many genres and mediums, recently had the pleasure to meet with Mr. Harper who, at 90, is finally coming to the forefront and getting his overdue recoginzion. TDA is planning a series of exhibits as well as some extremely rare offerings of Irving Harpers work. Most noteably, heading to auction, is an unusual double sized Marshmallow sofa. It has been stated that only two double sized sofas were made during the Mid-Century modern era. They were commissioned for the lobby of the Contenential building in NYC. Today, one of the sofas is in private collection and the other is held in the collection of TDA Archives. Mr. Harper recently met up with his iconic design and for the first time layed eyes on a double sized Marshmallow sofa. He got much joy out of authenicating and signing his most famous work. As well, he was photographed sitting on the sofa for future magazine and newspaper editorials.

I was fasinated by Mr. Kowalchuk and his vast knowledge of design and art in general. I am looking forward to keeping an eye out for more offerings from Mr. Harper and news of up-coming sales of his work, especially the Marshmallow sofa. Anyone interested in more information should go to TDA’s website (TDA stands for The Deep Archives) : http://www.thedeeparchives.com/fine.htm Be sure to go to the fine art section, you will also find contact information for Paul Kowalchuk.