Gerald Summers
Gerald Summers was born in 1899 in Alexandria, Egypt. He was the youngest of six children. Summers attended Eltham College in London where he studied principles of Christianity and carpentry. He took one glass on furniture design where he excelled.
In 1915, Summers dropped out of school at the age of 16 with no plan for his future. He was offered an apprenticeship through a family friend who worked at the Ruston Engineering Firm but his training was cut short when he joined the army during World War I. After the war, he returned home and married Marjorie Butcher. As a gift, Summers crafted an elegant table, marking the beginning of his design career,
What sparked Summers interest was the goal to create simple furniture with his wife as his business partner. This partnership began in 1929. He admired contemporary style but tended to push its boundaries.
Summers held his first exhibition at the Fortnum & Mason department store in London. He would go on to participate in another exhibition with another notable designer, Alvar Aalto - who also designed many plywood works.
'BPAC' (Bent Plywood Armchair) by Gerald Summers, produced by Makers of Simple Furniture, 1930s
The response was tremendously positive for Summers. So much in fact that he immediately began working on free-form, malleable designs. One of his first successes was his Bent Plywood Armchair (also released in lucite). The design showcased folding, bending and molded wood. People were intrigued by the flexibility and formability of plywood in furniture design. Summers made a splash in the industry with his diverse works.
During World War II, Summers had to close his firm. He passed away in 1967 at the age of 68. His work will forever be widely appreciated and celebrated in the design world. His impressive creations are highly sought after by museums, design collecors and connosieurs alike.
Gerald Summers Rare Cut Ply Chair (CPC), c. 1934
A set of four extremely rare Curved-Back dining chairs, designed by Gerald Summers in c. 1936.
Gerald Summers, book shelf, 1934. Makers of Simple Furniture, London.
Gerald Summers, "Z" side table, 1930s
Gerald Summers for Makers of Simple Furniture, an extending dining table, circa 1935
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