And finally the classic Thonet chair plus two more elaborate ones. All the bentwood  chairs in the shop have black ribbons tied on them as we mourn the tragic, self-destructive, absurd and petty act of national self-harm that is being perpetrated today. And rude. Have you ever seen anything as reprehensible as Nigel Farage and Ann Widdecombe waving their flags? And the dignity and kindness with which the European MPs sang ‘Auld Lang Syne’ made us cry for the first time since, well, the ending of Little Women. Although there will be a lot of tears  and hugs in the office today. (We shall get Disgusted Tunbridge Wells emails about this remark but hey ho…)

And another focal point of a room.

Another iconic piece, which would be the focal point of any bedroom.

An iconic piece, but it is true that although stunningly beautiful the Thonet chaiselongue is not madly comfortable. But who could resist if they came across one in an antique/junk shop as we did years ago? It’s our pride and joy.

As promised, the Post this week will feature Thonet bentwood furniture. This is presumably very out of fashion at the moment, as is all ‘brown’ furniture – but still beloved by us at Persephone Books and indeed inspirational. We even sell a poster of all the bentwood furniture in stock in 1907. This is an earliere copy in the V and A, it was made for the American market, but  is very similar to the one we sell.

Anderson House, Barnstaple was built in 1972, details here, and is now available to rent from the Landmark Trust, details and more photographs here. And for anyone who loves this kind of house, their spiritual home will be The Modern House website (which has afforded us many hours of pleasant day dreaming and what if-s).

Complaints came in yesterday that the Post is too ‘Home Counties’ focused (shades of Celia Johnson!) and that there are other equally wonderful Art Deco cinemas which aren’t, well, just outside London. In our defence, because the shop is in London we are indeed rather focused on it. Also, working in the shop doesn’t give us much time to get out and about. But point taken. Here is the very beautiful Preston Bus Station, number 20 on the C20th Society’s list of successes. More details here. And the conclusion is: ‘Despite long-running pressure to have it demolished, and inclusion of an image of it in Martin Parr’s Boring Postcards (actually quite a compliment surely?), Preston Bus Station holds a special place in the hearts of the local population. A poll conducted by a local newspaper (Lancashire Evening Post, 15 August 2000) revealed that a majority of 57% of readers wanted the building to be given listed status. At present, groups in online social networks have been formed to express support for the building. We hope the Society’s recent listing application will help safeguard this pivotal post-war monument for future generations.’