Wright Chair Sits While Authorities Decide Ownership
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Was chair stolen from S.C. Johnson HQ?
On Wednesday we brought you word that authorities in Racine, WI were investigating whether a chair listed on eBay as a Frank Lloyd Wright creation had been stolen from the Wright-designed headquarters of S.C. Johnson & Son Inc.
Yesterday, the Journal Times of Racine reported that the chair in question "is still at a Chicago auction house, while police try to determine whether or not it was stolen from the company."
More from the paper:
Richard Wright, owner of the Wright Auction House, 1440 W. Hubbard St., said Friday that he is waiting for further information from Racine police.
"We take this matter very seriously. The chair is going to be held here, until we determine clear title to the chair," Wright said. "We are cooperating fully with the authorities."
He has no doubt about the authenticity of the chair, but says that does not mean it was stolen from the company.
"Obviously it was made for the Johnson company in about 1937. These are well documented chairs," he said. "It is important to know that just because a piece from the Johnson building is put on the auction block, it is being painted as, defacto, it would be stolen. To me that's not the case."
Wright says he has worked in the auction industry for more than 20 years. He has owned the gallery since 2000. The gallery is named after him, not to imply any connection to Frank Lloyd Wright, he said.
He said Friday morning that he is waiting to hear from the police.
"We are just waiting to resolve the title of the chair. We have no desire to traffic in stolen goods," he said. "If Johnson Wax proves good title to the chair, then they get the chair. We're absolutely not fighting this."
Sgt. Bernie Kupper, spokesman for the Racine Police Department said Friday that police are waiting for the company to complete an internal review of its furniture assets. Kelly M. Semrau, spokeswoman for SC Johnson, said the audit should be completed early next week.
On Wednesday we brought you word that authorities in Racine, WI were investigating whether a chair listed on eBay as a Frank Lloyd Wright creation had been stolen from the Wright-designed headquarters of S.C. Johnson & Son Inc.
Yesterday, the Journal Times of Racine reported that the chair in question "is still at a Chicago auction house, while police try to determine whether or not it was stolen from the company."
More from the paper:
Richard Wright, owner of the Wright Auction House, 1440 W. Hubbard St., said Friday that he is waiting for further information from Racine police.
"We take this matter very seriously. The chair is going to be held here, until we determine clear title to the chair," Wright said. "We are cooperating fully with the authorities."
He has no doubt about the authenticity of the chair, but says that does not mean it was stolen from the company.
"Obviously it was made for the Johnson company in about 1937. These are well documented chairs," he said. "It is important to know that just because a piece from the Johnson building is put on the auction block, it is being painted as, defacto, it would be stolen. To me that's not the case."
Wright says he has worked in the auction industry for more than 20 years. He has owned the gallery since 2000. The gallery is named after him, not to imply any connection to Frank Lloyd Wright, he said.
He said Friday morning that he is waiting to hear from the police.
"We are just waiting to resolve the title of the chair. We have no desire to traffic in stolen goods," he said. "If Johnson Wax proves good title to the chair, then they get the chair. We're absolutely not fighting this."
Sgt. Bernie Kupper, spokesman for the Racine Police Department said Friday that police are waiting for the company to complete an internal review of its furniture assets. Kelly M. Semrau, spokeswoman for SC Johnson, said the audit should be completed early next week.
posted by Chris and Frank at 4:38 PM
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