Rare 1970s Space Age UMBO Shelving Unit Verner Panton/Eero Aarnio/Saarinen Era for Sale

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Rare 1970s Space Age UMBO Shelving Unit Verner Panton/Eero Aarnio/Saarinen Era For Sale

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Rare 1970s Space Age UMBO Shelving Unit Verner Panton/Eero Aarnio/Saarinen Era:
$4800.00

From our Spaceship to yours.
Exceedingly rare large original "UMBO" modular shelving unit designed by the American designer Kay LeRoy Ruggles for Directional. Kay LeRoy Ruggles was a contemporary of Verner Panton, Joe Colombo, Eero Aarnio and Eero Saarinen and this piece fits very well with similar icons of space age modern design. Few of these UMBO were made and fewer of them survive. Especially in this larger configuration. Can be combined together and set up different ways but we think it is best to keep it in the current configuration as pictured. This particular piece has been in my collection for the last 30 years. I have never tried to take it apart although it was sold as a modular unit. From what I remember the dealer I bought it from told me that some of the original connecting pegs were replaced with newer ones. This UMBO is fully functional but should be treated with lots of love. Please make sure to read the condition report and the shipping notes.

Dimensions: 50" length x 50" height x 12" depth.Museum quality piece looking for a new mid century modern/space age home. Near impossible to find. I've been collection mid century modern design and this configuration rarely comes to market. A tiny configuration is listed on 1st dibs for around $3,000.00. This is the largest and most complete UMBO I have seen in a long time.
Condition is vintage as pictured. Light uv fading, a brighter spot on top as if something was spilled, scuffs, scratches, tape residue and chips from age and use. One crack at the bottom of a piece. A few minor hairline cracks. Overall great vintage condition and fully functional.
You can either have it restored or leave this beauty as is. A "NOVUS" plastic polishing cream and a circular buffing tool may remove a lot of the scuffs while "GOOF OFF" may remove the old tape residue. I prefer not to mess too much with these icons. Their original patina is part of the allure. You decide!!!Shipping and delivery not included in purchase. Buyer responsible for shipping. This is too large to ship by UPS, FedEx or USPS so please get a quote from Craters & Freighters.Sold as is and as pictured; all sales final.See indoor and outdoor images for comparison.Please ask questions or pictures; we are happy to supply them.Shipping:Available for pick up in Sonoma California (free of charge).Alternatively I can deliver within the greater San Francisco Bay Area for a flat fee of $300 providing you can help me take it off the truck.If you live somewhere else; I suggest to get a shipping quote through Craters & Freighters.Life is beautiful and, claro que si, naturally so are you.That being said... absolutely no returns for whatever reason. Item is as pictured. No whiners or prima ballerinas please. Please ask more details or pictures before buying. We are happy to provide you as much information and pictures as you need.Other information about UMBO:

Constructed from Uniroyal ABS, a product which is durable, nontoxic, and more heat-resistant than wood which was also used to make telephones at that time. Was offered in white, tangerine and brown - this set is in the brown color option. The color was sprayed on in the factory and should not chip off under normal use. The modular system allows to create different types of furniture such as console or coffee tables, bench, bookcase, room dividers, sofa tables, cocktail tables, side or end tables, nightstands or bedside tables, cafe and breakfast or dining tables and more.

Produced only for a short time from 1972 to around 1974, due to the ensuing energy crisis of 1973 which marked the end of the era of cheap gasoline and, therefore, plastics causing UMBO to go out of production in 1974 making these examples extremely rare and sought after by collectors. Finding a set this large is much more rare.

This wall system became a huge hit for Directional who produced a wide variety of modules and since UMBO was fully modular, it could be arranged and re-arranged at any time into fun and creative solutions and uses for your home. UMBO was even available with a desk, dining table, bed frame or wall shelves module which made it perfect for small apartments such as those in Los Angeles and New York. The particular configuration seen in our photos was put together by our photographer just as an example of how it can be configured but it can be rearranged, expanded or divided to your liking.

Kay Leroy Ruggles was a pioneer of inventions and lifelong entrepreneur with a highly successful career winning many awards and holding numerous patents in which he designed and developed over 100 products in a wide range of industries, including automobile, space, furniture, window coverings, amusement park and musical instruments, for example he created the tubular water slide and when Richard Nixon wanted a new bathroom for Air Force One, that job went to Ruggles. Later, Hugh Hefner had custom-designed rooms by Ruggles and so did Ted Kennedy and Disney World.

Consider this original UMBO bookcase system by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional for a Space Age Modern, Atomic Modern, Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian Modern or Danish Modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a Contemporary or Post-Modern room. Also consider mixing it up in a Traditional, Transitional, Classical or Art Deco room with a splash of juxtaposition. The Umbo bookshelf / etagere system can also be an apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office.