For Sale: Irish Lounge Chair in American Elm

This curved-back stick chair is one of the most comfortable chairs I make. It is ideal for reading, sitting by the fire and talking with friends.

I’m offering it for sale for $1,800 via a random drawing. The price includes crating and shipping to your door anywhere in the lower 48 states of the U.S. Details on the sale are at the bottom of this entry. First, some notes about the chair.

The chair is made from American elm, a perfect and difficult-to-find chair material that is lightweight, strong and beautiful. The sticks are shaved and left octagonal. All the tenons are cut slightly proud and burnished. All the chair’s joints are assembled with animal glue, which is reversible, and wedged with hickory wedges selected for arrow-straight grain.

The seat is tilted 4°, with the chair’s back tilted 23° off the seat. The backrest is positioned to cradle your shoulders. And the seat is 16” off the floor, making it comfortable for all sitters. The chair is 34” tall overall.

The elm is finished first with a two-part bleach to bring the elm’s gray cast closer to white. On top of that is a coat of liming wax, a white wax that gives the wood some sheen and offers a little protection. The finish is not terribly durable, but it is easy to repair if you ever damage it. The finish lasts many years if you don’t abuse it, and the oil from your skin enhances it and adds to the luster. This is a finish that looks better every year.

Like all my chairs, I make them as best I can, but most of the work is by hand. So you will find an occasional stray tool mark or tiny imperfection. These are not left intentionally, but they are the result of hand work.

How to Buy the Chair

The chair is being sold via a random drawing. If you wish to buy the chair, send an email to lapdrawing@lostartpress.com before 3 p.m. (Eastern) on Friday, Jan. 10. Please use the subject line: “Elm Chair.” In the email please include your:

• U.S. shipping address
• Daytime phone number (this is for the trucking quote only)

If you are the “winner,” the chair will be shipped to your door. The price includes the crate and all shipping charges. Alternatively, the chair can be picked up at our storefront. (I’m sorry but the chair cannot be shipped outside the U.S.)

— Christopher Schwarz