Portable Folding Library Armchair By J. Alderman

This mahogany folding armchair by Alderman completely disassembles for easy travel. The arms are hinged to the caned chair back. The brass trigger mechanism under the arms releases them from their supports. The supports are also hinged so that they fold against the seat. The back is hinged to fold down against the seat frame. The top seat frame sits above the leg frame and is affixed by four bolts and wing nuts, making it quite secure and sturdy. The legs were once removable by unscrewing, but have been glued in place. The turned legs end in fabulous large brass spoke casters. Because of the casters, the chair can be easily moved around and turned, thus making it a great desk chair. The makers brass label is engraved “J. Alderman, Inventor, Patentee and Manufacturer, 16 Soho Square, London.”

John Alderman (born in 1820) is listed in the London commercial directories from 1865 to 1885 as a manufacturer of invalid chairs, couches and carriages. He started out working for Thomas Chapman, a manufacturer of invalid chairs, and became Chapman’s partner in 1855 .The firm then became know as Chapman and Alderman. After 1856 he established his own firm under his own name. In 1890 the firm was renamed Alderman, Johnson & Co. and moved to Charing Cross Road and New Oxford Street. In 1903 the company was transferred into John Ward Ltd.