Due to the limited supply of raw materials, the sharp drop in demand and the machines advanced by the occupying forces, weaving mill De Ploeg was forced to change its operations during the war years. Initially, blackout materials were still being produced, but that proved insufficient. This led to the start of a new furniture company: ‘t Spectrum was founded in Bergeijk in 1941 (later Spectrum).

De Ploeg’s director Piet Blijenburg came up with the idea of making interior products and accessories from materials that were locally available, such as pit reeds, rushes and wood. The collection was diverse: trays, napkin rings, coat racks and cots were made, as well as bags of reed and dolls with clothing from De Ploeg’s fabrics.

By founding ‘t Spectrum, Blijenburg prevented its employees from being employed by the occupying forces, and the relationship with the country’s customers was maintained. In the early years, a Supervisory Board was appointed, consisting of the architects Eschauzie, Jansen and Gerrit Rietveld. The latter was only announced after the war. Because Rietveld refused to become a member of the Culture Room set up by the occupying forces, he was not allowed to be active in his own working area. As a member of the Supervisory Board, Rietveld was closely involved in the development of the first Spectrum collection.

Martin Visser designed his first series of sofas for Spectrum in the late 1950s and early 1960s. His most famous design, the BR 02 sofa, is now a true design classic. In addition to Visser, however, there have also been other designers who have designed similar (sleeper) sofas. However, most of his contemporaries’ versions were only produced for a relatively short period of time, while the BR 02 sofa bed became a design icon in no time and has always remained in production at Spectrum. After all these years, Visser’s BR 02 is still at the top of the design ladder.

But how can you tell if it’s an original Martin Visser sofa bed? Especially when you are looking for a vintage sofa or have a fixer-upper in mind, you want to be sure that it is a real Spectrum sofa. We give you some pointers here.

NAME //⁠ In Spectrum’s early years, the designs were given a name that was built up as a code. In the case of sofas, this means that the name begins with BR (Bank Rusten, a sofa bed) or BZ (Bank Zitten, a sofa with a fixed seat).

FRAME // Visser’s BR 02 sofa bed from 1960 has a round frame. This followed his earlier version of the sofa where he used a square tube. Are you looking at a sofa with a rectangular frame? There is no way this could be a Visser design. The frame always has a kink at the height of the backrest at the back so that the frame follows the line of the sofa. The backrest is kept optically ‘separate’ from the frame by means of spacers.

SPRINGS // The first Spectrum sofas were fitted with jute lashing straps. Later, in the 70’s, these were replaced by nozag springs – a kind of zigzag spring – which are held together by strong elastic bands. As of 1988, lashing straps are being used again, thus returning the original production method to its former glory. Today’s straps are made from black elastic material.

UPHOLSTERY // The upholstery of the Spectrum sofas is always tight and angular, so that the straight shapes of the sofa are shown to full advantage. The upholstery is always stuck to the sofa; removable covers are not available. Depending on the model, the relation between the seat and the back can be different. However, there is always a considerable space between the back and the seat, so that the backrest ‘floats’. If you have a Martin Visser sofa and would like to know more about the possibilities of upholstering, click here.

SLEEPMECHANISM // The BR 02 sofa’s sleeper function is created by simply tilting the seat forward with one simple movement, so that the seat lies flat. This lever mechanism is clearly visible under the sofa, and consists of a few separate blocks, to which the seat is suspended, as it were, in the side panels. Visser designed one two-person sofa bed, the BR 49. In this design the second bed is under the seat. The back of Visser sofas is never flat in sleep mode, the sleeper function is only in the position of the seat.

DATE OF PRODUCTION PERIOD // In the 60’s and 70’s the Spectrum sofas were provided with a production date, by means of two digits. The first number indicates the month, the second the year. Depending on webbing or nozag springs, the decade becomes clear. The stamps are placed in the wooden lines on a short side of the seat, and are visible when you look at the sofa from the bottom. For example, a sofa with 37 plus webbing is produced in March 1967, a sofa with 82 plus nozag springs dates from August 1972. Furniture from the end of the 70’s is no longer provided with a visible production date.

In conclusion, if it is a Martin Visser sofa bed, it belongs to the Spectrum collection. Visser never designed for other companies or collections.

If you have a sofa at home or if you are eyeing one, and you are still in doubt, feel free to send us pictures. Images of the underside of the seat and of the frame, in particular, often give us enough information to be able to give you a conclusive answer. Please mail to info@spectrumdesign.nl and you will be hearing from us!

Reupholstering Martin Visser sofa bed

The Martin Visser sofa bed: a timeless design classic that has been in production for 60 years. Have you been the happy owner of this beautiful design for years, but is the sofa ready for a new look? With new upholstery the sofa is completely up to date again. When the interior and suspension are replaced, this icon is ready for many more years of use!

When we provide your sofa with new upholstery, our craftsmen always look at the condition of the interior and the suspension of your sofa. If this is also in need of renewal, we will contact you about this. The interior (cold foam) and the suspension can be completely replaced. This makes both the seating comfort and the appearance of the sofa as good as new again!

Want to know more about reupholstering?

Would you like more information about the possibilities of reupholstering Martin Visser’s BR 02 sofa bed? Contact us or visit one of our points of sale near you.

Design connoisseur of today about the sofa of yesteryear

The BR 02 sofa bed, a proven classic, a 1960 design. The clear construction and minimalistic design language make this sofa withstand the different style periods easily. What would this sofa look like with all the extra knowledge, (production) possibilities and materials that are now available? We asked some of today’s industry peers how they see the sofa. And would they like to change anything?

THOMAS EURLINGS
INTERIOR AND PRODUCT DESIGNER

“The sofa has become an archetype of Dutch design from this period. The archetype of a Dutch sofa, even. In many respects – format, multi-functionality, and transparency – it fits the Dutch mentality perfectly. Practical for small spaces, while it does not look out of place in large ones either.”

www.thomaseurlings.com