American Design 
21 February 2019
Hugh Acton, Early prototype bench - Image 1 of 3
Hugh Acton, Early prototype bench - Image 2 of 3
Hugh Acton, Early prototype bench - Image 3 of 3
American Design 
Hugh Acton, Early prototype bench - Image 1 of 3
Hugh Acton, Early prototype bench - Image 2 of 3
Hugh Acton, Early prototype bench - Image 3 of 3
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Hugh Acton

Early prototype bench

USA, c. 1954
maple, brass 15¼ h × 60 w × 14½ d in (39 × 152 × 37 cm)
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $2,000
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The present lot is the first bench constructed by Acton while at Cranbrook Academy of Art and features a unique proportion and slightly skewed slats. Acton cherished this handmade example and retained it in his personal collection until his death last year.
provenance: Estate of Hugh Acton, Augusta, MI

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The Designs of Hugh Acton

Hugh Acton had a prodigious career as an industrial designer, creating many works for schools, homes, libraries and offices, bringing an American craft ethos and a Scandinavian mind for simplicity to everyday spaces. From his home studio in Michigan, Acton created numerous iconic and accessible modernist designs over the course of five decades. 

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Image courtesy of the Hugh Acton Papers at the Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.

It has been my guiding principle, to simplify until everything is eliminated except the necessary.

Hugh Acton

Hugh Acton 1925–2018

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Hugh Acton was an artist and designer, based primarily in Kalamazoo, Michigan, working in a style that blended the best of the American craft tradition and Scandinavian mid-century design. He is most known for his pioneering Acton Stacker (the first stackable chair with arms) and his epochal wood and metal slat bench.

Acton was born in 1925 in Kansas City, Missouri and soon after adopted by a family who owned a farm and ranch in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. From a young age, he showed a penchant for building things and his time spent on the farm would influence his design ethos of simplicity in form and material.

Auction Results Hugh Acton

HUGH ACTON, Rare shelving system | Wright20.com

Hugh Acton

Rare shelving system

estimate: $2,000–3,000

result: $8,190
HUGH ACTON, sofa | Wright20.com

Hugh Acton

sofa

estimate: $5,000–7,000

result: $5,313
HUGH ACTON, Executive lounge chair | Wright20.com

Hugh Acton

Executive lounge chair

estimate: $1,500–2,000

result: $3,810
HUGH ACTON, prototype bench | Wright20.com

Hugh Acton

prototype bench

estimate: $2,000–3,000

result: $3,500

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