Rarely seen Gimson and Slater Cresta suite with dark teak frame 1962
This set is one we recently managed to source in the far north of Scotland , but in 2020 we had a single rocking chair on it’s own which needed re-upholstery . Prior to that about 5 years ago we sold a set in original black vinyl . We had seen a couple of other sets over the last few years but along with a later design called the Halo from 1965 nobody had managed to discover who had made them . Eventually research at The British Library came good and we can now say that the quality firm of Gimson and Slater were the makers , but unfortunately they don’t seem to credit their designers . They’re best known for a lovely Rock n Rest chair with jutting out arms that was marketed only as being by a Norwegian designer in their adverts . We have 1 late 1960s Gimson and Slater catalogue , which is shown in a previous blog .
This current suite had been re-upholstered in a brown fairly neutral fabric probably around the year 2000 . It’s in good condition , but may not suit potential buyers .
The Cresta and Halo sofas are both large 2 seaters , and they only seem to have been made in that size . The rocking chairs retailed at £39 10 shillings , the standard chair at £36 5 shillings and the sofa at £62 11 shillings and 6 pence ! A lot of money in 1962 , as together taking inflation into account that would be just over £3100 which was a lot of money at the time . However not many suites made today will still be around in 60 years time , and if they are will they still look as stylish and modern !
The frames are solid afrormosia which is a darker African teak which was used by good makers like Guy Rogers and Toothill at the time .
If anybody has a Gimson and Slater catalogue from the 1960’s other than the one we’ve got please let us know . We were sent photos recently of a 1970’s Gimson and Slater suite in original fabric which was large and fully upholstered and of fabulous quality , but although stylish it wasn’t different enough to warrant the high costs of re-upholstery . This one is usable as is , but is relatively simple to do and our upholsterer has recently done a rocking chair as well as a Halo sofa , so knows what is involved which always helps .