America's Most Renowned Woodworker

Sam Maloof, named the “Hemingway of Hardwood,” by People Magazine, and a product of San Bernardino County having been born in Chino, recently celebrated his 92nd birthday (born Jan. 24, 1916).  Sam’s mother, Anisse, and father, Slimen Nasif Nadir Maloof, emigrated from Lebanon (then part of Syria) and earned a living as merchants.......initially selling goods from a horse and wagon.  Sam enjoyed a relatively normal youth......a good student...........a graduate....and a hard working and self-disciplined employee.  Sam, in 1935, was accepted by the Walt Disney Company’s studio; however, because of the pleading of his mother----declined----did not move to Los Angeles and continued working at Vortox in Claremont.

Drafted into the U.S. Army in Oct. 1941, Sam experienced a purposeful but battle-free four years.  Back in Southern California by November 1945, Sam was now living in Los Angeles and looking for a “job.”  Angelus-Pacific, a commercial art firm, proved to be that job; but after nine months as a graphic artist and hearing birthday number 30, Sam had to find his niche in life.....his future.

Sam, in 1946, returned to the Chino-Claremont area working in all areas of graphic arts design and became a very serious student.  It was as a student at Scripps College, taking a Millard Sheets’ class, that Sam met Alfreda Ward.  Yes, you guessed correct, but don’t get ahead of me----one month after their date, they were married. 

It was midyear 1949 when Sam made the decision to become a self-employed maker of furniture.  The rest is history-----59 years of history.

• A rocking chair for President Ronald Reagan in 1981

• Two rocking chairs sold to President Jimmy Carter in 1982

• Recipient of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellowship

• Honored by exhibitions of his woodwork at universities, museums and institutions worldwide, including The Vatican and The Smithsonian attended by world leaders including Pope Paul VI

Today, a rocking chair by Sam Moloof will be an investment of $25,000---and a delivery date of 2010-----yes, Sam will then be 94 years of age!