Title: John Gryga Collection
Inclusive Dates: 1936-1994

Creator:

• Gryga, John, 1902-1994

Call Number: M97-204

Quantity: 1.1 c.f. (2 archives boxes and 1 flat box)

Repository:

Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Library, Archives, and Museum Collections

Archival Locations:

Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)

COLLECTION MAY BE STORED OFF-SITE: see catalog entry to request materials and for additional information.

Abstract:

Material, 1936-1994, collected by John Gryga, a furniture designer and furniture construction engineer active in Wisconsin and Michigan between 1916 and 1967. Most of the material reflects his years at the Wisconsin Chair Company, from 1933 to 1953, where he worked as a designer, router, and advisor to the sales department. There are also miscellaneous items from other companies with whom Gryga was associated, most notably the R-Way Furniture Company in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Many of the extensive furniture drawings were created by designer Ernest L. Swarts.

Language: English

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-m97204

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The collection, which is rather fragmentary in nature, includes brief biographical information about Gryga; clippings of articles that mention Wisconsin Chair; correspondence which includes letters and drawings from inventors; extensive drawings of furniture designs; photographic images produced for catalogs; information about labor and financial matters at Wisconsin Chair; price lists; sales statements; reference materials; a few agendas and minutes for meetings of the Wisconsin-Michigan Wood Seasoning Association; and sales brochures for the R-Way Company.

Acquisition Information

Presented by Clara M. Gryga (via Ann L. Flierl), Port Washington, Wisconsin. Accession Number: M97-204

M97-204 Box   1 Folder   1	Biographical information, 1936-1994
Box   1 Folder   2	Clippings, 1943
Box   1 Folder   3	Correspondence, circa 1939-1957
	Furniture designs (mainly Wisconsin Chair Company) Note: See also Box 3.
Box   1 Folder   4	Chairs (drawings)
Box   1 Folder   5	Chairs (plates)
Box   1 Folder   6	China cabinets and buffets (drawings)
Box   1 Folder   7	China cabinets and buffets (plates)
Box   1 Folder   8	Sofas and loveseats (drawings)
Box   1 Folder   9	Sofas and loveseats (plates)
Box   1 Folder   10	Suites (drawings)
Box   1 Folder   11	Suites (plates)
Box   1 Folder   12	Tables (drawings)
Box   1 Folder   13	Tables (plates)
Box   1 Folder   14	Miscellaneous (drawings and plates)
Box   2 Folder   1	Labor relations and financial information Note: See also Box 3.
Box   2 Folder   2	Price lists
Box   2 Folder   3	Reference
Box   2 Folder   4	Sales statements, 1945-1946
Box   2 Folder   5	Wisconsin-Michigan Wood Seasoning Association, circa 1955-1956
	Furniture designs Physical Description: Oversize
Box   3 Folder   1	Chairs (drawings and plates)
Box   3 Folder   2	Miscellaneous drawings
Box   3 Folder   3	Labor Relations and Financial Information Physical Description: Oversize
	R-Way Furniture Company, Sheboygan, Wisconsin sales brochures
Box   3 Folder   4	Suite 3500, “Lugano,” Alba finish, pecan and French walnut veneers, solid parts pecan (bedroom suite)
Box   3 Folder   5	Suite 7300, “The Alborg Group,” walnut and pecan, Nordic finish (bedroom suite)
Box   3 Folder   6	Suite 7370, “The Alborg Group,” walnut and pecan, Nordic finish (dining suite)
Box   3 Folder   7	Suite 8200, “The Normandy Group,” “Parisien” finish, cherry and Carpathian elm burl (bedroom suite)
Box   3 Folder   8	Suite 8300, “Contessa,” Lido finish and Suite 8400, “Continental,” Corona finish (bedroom suites)
Box   3 Folder   9	Suite 8800, “Americana,” walnut veneers, pecan solid parts, Concord finish (bedroom suite)