Rocking Chair

Around 1905

Norman Gerster must have enjoyed smoking the occasional cigar or two… or maybe 1000. He covered this upholstered oak rocking chair entirely with cigar bands. Each label is placed at exact intervals and skillfully burnt into the wood. Gerster worked as an upholsterer at two of Waterloo’s largest furniture companies, Canada Furniture and Globe Furniture. The rocking chair became famous in 1905 when the local newspaper ran a story on Gerster’s chair after seeing it on display at Charles Fischer’s Pool and Billiard room in Waterloo.

Select image to open a larger view.