Born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1908, George Nelson studied architecture at Yale University, teaching for a short time before the Great Depression. In 1932, he won the Rome Prize and spent the next two years studying design in Italy. Returning to the states, Nelson sold his essays to Pencil Points and became an associate editor at Architecture Forum and Fortune magazine. After reading Nelson’s innovative book Tomorrow's House, then president of Herman Miller furniture company D.J. De Pree hired Nelson as design director. Nelson launched his first collection in 1947 and transformed the struggling company into a groundbreaking leader in the field. Nelson remained at Herman Miller until the mid-1960s, and was responsible for bringing Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard and Isamu Noguchi on board.
In 1947, Nelson opened his own design studio, George Nelson Associates, Inc. which at one time employed over seventy people. The company’s work within corporate settings revolutionized the concept of branding and elevated industrial design to new heights. Throughout his career, Nelson continued to write critically about design across multiple planes, teaching and consulting until his death in 1986.
Auction Results George Nelson & Associates
George Nelson & Associates
Rare and important Marshmallow Sofa
estimate: $50,000–70,000
result: $112,500
George Nelson & Associates
Comprehensive Storage System
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $36,750
George Nelson & Associates
Thin Edge end tables, pair
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $34,800
George Nelson & Associates
custom jewelry chest
estimate: $30,000–40,000
result: $33,600
George Nelson & Associates
Marshmallow Sofa
estimate: $30,000–40,000
result: $30,420
George Nelson & Associates
Marshmallow sofa, model #5670
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $27,600
George Nelson & Associates
custom wall clock, model #2237
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $24,000
George Nelson & Associates
miniature chest, model #5511
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $24,000
George Nelson
Marshmallow sofa
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $20,700
George Nelson & Associates
Marshmallow sofa
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $20,000
George Nelson & Associates
Carousel weather vane
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $20,000
George Nelson & Associates
Marshmallow sofa, model 5670
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $20,000
George Nelson & Associates
Whirlygig clock, model 2268
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $18,600
George Nelson & Associates
miniature cabinet
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $18,200
George Nelson & Associates
table clock, model 2208
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $18,000
George Nelson & Associates
jewelry cabinet, model #5211
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $17,700
George Nelson & Associates
Watermelon table clock, model 2219-B
estimate: $6,000–8,000
result: $17,700
George Nelson & Associates
Marshmallow sofa
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $17,500
George Nelson & Associates
Clocknik table clock, model 2270
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $17,500
George Nelson & Associates
Rare Five Leaf chairs from the 1964 New York World's Fair, pair
estimate: $8,000–10,000
result: $17,500
George Nelson & Associates
Comprehensive Storage System (CSS)
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $16,250
George Nelson & Associates
Watermelon table clock, model 2219B
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $16,250
George Nelson & Associates
chaise lounge, model #5490
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $15,600
George Nelson & Associates
Comprehensive Storage System (CSS)
estimate: $9,000–12,000
result: $15,600