Anacostia in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The World’s Largest Chair
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, February 10, 2008
1. The World's Largest Chair Marker
Curtis Bros.
for their outstanding leadership
and service to the public
by the
Basset Furniture Industries.
The chair made of solid Honduras mahogany
is 19½ feet tall and weighs 4600 pounds.
Designer: Leo M. Jiranek Builder: J.E. Bassett, Jr.
Erected 1959 by Bassett Furniture Industries.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1959.
Location. 38° 51.925′ N, 76° 59.38′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Anacostia. Marker is at the intersection of V Street Southeast and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue Southeast, on the left when traveling west on V Street Southeast. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20020, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Big Chair (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Big Chair (a few steps from this marker); Transit and Trade (within shouting distance of this marker); A Neighborhood Oasis (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mother Churches and Their Daughters (about
this page online
More about this marker. The chair became an Anacostia landmark after its erection in 1959. It was reconstucted in aluminum and rededicated with great fanfare in 2006 as a symbol of the community's revitalization.
Also see . . . The Return of the Big Chair: A Very Big Deal. 2006 Washington Post article by Paul Schwartzman. (Submitted on February 16, 2008.)
Additional commentary.
1. Is this still "The World's Largest Chair"?
This chair was built in 1959 and, since that time, larger chairs have been built, notably the "Giant Chair" which is 40 feet tall, 24 tons. It was built in 2003 as a gift from an association of chair manufacturers in Italy for a design expo in Chicago, it is now located in Los Angeles at the LA Mart parking lot.
Regardless of its current standing, The Big Chair remains a landmark to the residents of Anacostia and other District of Columbia
Photographed By Richard E. Miller, February 10, 2008
2. The World's Largest Chair (a.k.a. "The Big Chair"), restored.
Intersection of Martin Luther King Ave. and V Street, SE.
— Submitted November 27, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
Additional keywords. Furntiture, Retailing
Photographed By Craig Baker, 2019
3. A Photo of the "Giant Chair" in Los Angeles, California
40 feet tall, 24 tons, built in 2003 as a gift from an association of chair manufacturers in Italy for a design expo in Chicago, it is now located in Los Angeles at the LA Mart parking lot.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 5,201 times since then and 79 times this year. Last updated on February 17, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 16, 2008, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3. submitted on November 25, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
