Betty Draper ‘Mad Men’ Maple Breakfast Room Chairs by Willett Furniture – Set of 6 – Mid 20th Century

These chairs are almost identical to Betty Draper’s breakfast room chairs from the set of Mad Men — see photos. The only difference seems to be posts rising from the top of the chair backs in the Hollywood set chairs. Six Willett solid maple dining chairs with a distinctive design. Made during the 1950s in Louisville, Kentucky. Includes one captain’s chair, 23” wide. The matching drop leaf dining table is also for sale in my collection.

Consider H. Willett and his brother, W.R. Willett, were in the lumber business before Consider founded the Willett Furniture Co. in 1934. At one time, they were reportedly the largest maker of cherry and maple furniture in the United States, with a 1946 profit equivalent in today’s value of $2.6 million dollars. The bedroom and dining room sets are the most sought after by collectors, along with china cabinets, sideboards, secretaries, bookcases and corner cabinets. Willett also made upholstered furniture. Willet exhibited its wares at the Chicago Furniture Show in the late 1930s and 1940s, and by the 1950s, achieved national status advertising in Better Homes and Garden, and selling to markets in Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan. In 1956 and 1957, it advertised in states as far away as California and Oregon.

The furniture peaked in popularity after World War II, between 1946 and 1952. Louisville architect Fred H. Elswick, who designed the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, added to its luster by designing collections in 1950 and 1951.