Pair of William IV Adjustable Mahogany Library Armchairs by George Minter

A pair of William IV adjustable mahogany library armchairs, by George Minter, one dated 1832, each with adjustable buttoned leather-upholstered backs, seats and armrests, the seats with moulded rails and fitted with hinged footrests with ratchet mechanisms, on turned, tapered reeded legs and brass castors, one chair fitted with a fitted adjustable reading slope. Stamped in three places ‘G Minter, 33 Gerard St. Soho, W R Patent. No 395’ and dated ‘August 1832 under the upholstery, the other stamped on each leg ‘G Minter, 26 Princes St. Soho, W R Patent 309’ and on the reading slope mechanism ‘Munyards, 90 Wardour St.’ Footnote: George Minter of Soho was a cabinet maker and upholsterer who specialised in patented reclining chairs from 1829 to 1854. Several of his chairs are well documented including one reputed to belong to Charles Darwin and a group recorded in Christopher Gilbert, ‘Pictorial Dictionary of Marked London Furniture 1700-1840’, 1996, p.338.