An early beech, plywood and metal 'Kan-O-Seat' by Albin Johnson for Stafford-Johnson

Designed in 1935 by Albin Johnson, the Kan-O-Seat rose to fame in 1939 when it was sold as a souvenir at the New York World's Fair. Comprising a walking stick when folded, the chair could be carried around by visitors to the fair, then unfold into a perching chair to relieve tired legs. These souvenir models with branded with a World Fair decal to the seat.

Our model, however, is stamped to the underside with STAFFORD-JOHNSON, IONIA MICHIGAN, PAT PENDING which dates this chair to the earliest point of production. The patent was applied for in January 1935 and granted in May 1935, so we can accurately date this chair to that period while the patent was pending.

America, 1935

A comparable example is held at MoMA, New York, Alex Schaerer Purchase Fund, object number 454.2006.