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In early May of 1947, while walking down the streets of Copenhagen one might have seen a poster with the headline “Tidens MØbler,” announcing an upcoming furniture exposition and competition in celebration of the city’s Furniture Industry Association’s 40th anniversary. Below this text was an illustration of a young woman in a wedding gown sitting at her vanity. The vanity that the woman sits at appears to be a table with an extendable mirror and leaves as well as drawers beneath and colorful compartments that are presumably hidden when the leaves close. The image of the woman at her vanity was a visual representation of the play-on-words present in the headline: MØ, meaning maid, and møbler, meaning furniture.
Left: Poster by Arne Ungermann announcing the “Tidens Møbler” (Furniture of the Time) exhibition, 1947. Right: Finn Juhl’s display at the “Tidens Møbler” (Furniture of the Time) exhibition, which included the present model sofa. This poster advertised the “Tidens Møbler” (Furniture of the Time) exhibition that ran from May 9-18, 1947 at the K.B. Hallen in Copenhagen. The premise of the exhibition was to present architect-designed furniture meant for small living quarters and modest budgets. Following World War II, as a prosperous welfare state, Denmark had to deal with increased populations within urban centers and growing families. Concurrently, there was high demand for modern Danish furniture within every income bracket. At the time, the country was considering granting loans to newlyweds in which coupons could be used for certain furniture and household appliances. It was in this context that many of Denmark’s furniture designers, manufacturers and retailers came together for this exhibition.
Submissions to the competition fit within two categories: the first was for single pieces of furniture to be judged on their own, and the second was for entire groups of furnishings that were made especially for certain archetypical living arrangements, including a bachelor’s apartment, a single woman’s apartment, a two-room apartment for a couple with two children, and a two-and-a-half room apartment for a couple with two children and a teenage son. Many of the pieces shown were multifunctional and compact in size, similar to the vanity shown in the exhibition poster.
The present sofa placed within the living room at Finn Juhl’s house. Photo credit: Finn Juhl’s House, Ordrupgaard, Denmark and Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Denmark. Finn Juhl presented a proposition for a bachelor’s apartment, which won an award at the exhibition and included the present sofa model. Though the winning designs were meant to go into production, it is highly unlikely that Berg & Nielsen, the small furniture manufacturer in Aarhus that produced the sofa, ever entered large-scale production, as only three examples of the sofa are known to exist.
"One shouldn’t despair over the fact that some of the developments one has hoped for were never produced but only became a beginning. Perhaps they will be revived some day in the future if necessary or reasonable, when the time is ripe." —Finn JuhlThe compact design clearly references several of Juhl’s other sofas from the 1940s. Typical of many of his seating designs, the piece features four graceful tapered wooden legs supporting a sinuous frame with arms extended as if to cradle its sitters. The arms of this sofa extend out straight rather than curve downward as seen in many related examples. Finn Juhl used a similar sofa to furnish his own living room, clearly an indication that the design was important to him. The present sofa is significant not only for its rarity and particular historical context, but also for the way in which the form fits within Juhl’s impressive body of work.
Provenance
Private collection, Denmark
Literature
Frances van Hall, "Modern Show in Copenhagen," Retailing Home Furnishings, June 12, 1947, n.p. for a discussion of the exhibition
Bent Salicath, "Tidens Møbler: En konkurrence, en udstilling og en status," Nyt tidsskrift for kunstindustri, July 1947, pp. 109-21 for a discussion of the exhibition
"Danske Møbler," Møbelhandleren, no. 2, 1948, title page, p. 21
64
Rare sofa, designed for a "Bachelor's Apartment" for the "Tidens Møbler 1947" exhibition, Copenhagen
circa 1947
Beech, fabric upholstery.
42 3/8 x 52 x 27 1/2 in. (107.6 x 132.1 x 69.9 cm)
Produced by Berg & Nielsen, Aarhus, Denmark.
Estimate
$12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $37,800
DesignNewYork@phillips.com
212-940-1268
Design
New York Auction 7 December 2021
1
Gio Ponti
Pair of armchairs
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $56,700
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2
Gino Sarfatti
Rare ceiling light, model no. S 00106
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $88,200
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3
Osvaldo Borsani
Chest of drawers
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4
Carlo Scarpa
"Corroso" vase, model no. 4101
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $16,380
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5
Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia
Side table, from the "Domus Nova" series
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
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6
Seguso
Pair of ceiling lights
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $32,760
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7
Gio Ponti and Luigi Zortea
Pair of rare wall lights
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $21,420
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8
Gio Ponti
Pair of rare armchairs, model no. 489
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $88,200
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9
Gino Sarfatti
Floor lamp, model no. 1034
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $45,360
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10
Pietro Chiesa
Rare drinks cabinet
Estimate $16,000 - 22,000
Sold for $6,048
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11
Napoleone Martinuzzi
Two rare ceiling lights
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $21,420
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12
Paolo Buffa
Desk
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $16,380
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13
Franco Albini
Pair of daybeds, from Villa Neuffer, Ispra, Italy
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
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14
Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia
Occasional table
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $10,710
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15
Pietro Chiesa
Floor lamp
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
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16
Alberto Giacometti
"Étoile" table lamp
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $189,000
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17
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Jean Dunand
"Chinoise" coiffeuse, model no. 1538 AR/1827 NR
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $75,600
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18
Ingrid Donat
Pair of "Table de Canapé Engrenages"
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $94,500
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19
Ingrid Donat
"Miroir Girafe (Petit Modèle)"
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $44,100
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20
Ingrid Donat
Pair of "Appliques Rondelles"
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $20,160
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21
Jacques Adnet
Cabinet
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $22,680
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22
Paul Dupré-Lafon
Pair of side tables
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $17,640
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23
Jean Royère
"Tour Eiffel" coffee table
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $163,800
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24
Alberto Giacometti
"Figure" floor lamp
Estimate $150,000 - 200,000
Sold for $403,200
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25
Jean Prouvé
Set of four "Semi-metal" chairs, model no. 305
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $81,900
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26
Jacques Adnet
Rare ceiling light
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $69,300
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27
Jean Prouvé
Important cabinet, model no. 150
Estimate $150,000 - 200,000
Sold for $277,200
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28
Charlotte Perriand
Dining table
Estimate $70,000 - 90,000
Sold for $119,700
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29
Georges Jouve
Two "Boule" vases
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $30,240
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30
Jean Prouvé
Rare stool, model no. 307
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $113,400
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31
Jean Royère
Sofa and pair of armchairs
Estimate $120,000 - 180,000
Sold for $226,800
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32
Jean Royère
Rare wall-mounted console table
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $32,760
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33
Georges Jouve
Vide poche
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $13,860
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34
Georges Jouve
Tall "Cylindre" vase
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $88,200
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35
Georges Jouve
Large footed "Cylindre" vase
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $100,800
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36
Jean Royère
"Sculpture" armchair
Estimate $150,000 - 200,000
Sold for $189,000
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37
Alexandre Noll
Large tray
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $21,420
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38
André Arbus
Dining table
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $22,680
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39
Georges Jouve
"Boule" vase
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $15,120
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40
Stilnovo
Adjustable wall light, model no. 2061
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $3,780
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41
Jean Prouvé
Rare "C.P.D.E." armchair
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $50,400
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42
Alexandre Noll
Dish
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $11,340
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43
Rick Owens
"Curial (Black Plywood)" chair
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $27,720
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44
Serge Mouille
"Grand Totem" floor lamp
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $113,400
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45
Jean Prouvé
"Direction" armchair, model no. 352
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $69,300
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46
Jean Prouvé
"Cité" desk, model no. 500
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $10,710
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47
Jean Prouvé
"Antony" chair, model no. 356
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $52,920
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48
Serge Mouille
Pair of "Antony" desk lamps
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $32,760
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49
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
Pair of "Crate" chairs
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $17,640
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50
Charlotte Perriand
"Tokyo" bench
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $50,400
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51
Edmund de Waal
"Plate 1, Part 1, Page 1"
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $52,920
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52
Lucie Rie
Footed bowl
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $138,600
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53
Lucie Rie
Conical bowl
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $138,600
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54
Lucie Rie
Footed bowl
Estimate $35,000 - 40,000
Sold for $44,100
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55
Hans Coper
Pot on cylindrical foot with vertical impression
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $327,600
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56
Hans Coper
Ovoid form
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $138,600
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57
Hans Coper
Large bowl
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $100,800
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58
Hans Coper
Pair of candle holders
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $40,320
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59
Josef Frank
Miniature cabinet, model no. 2225
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $9,450
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60
Axel Johann Salto
"Aktæonmaske"
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $20,160
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61
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $8,190
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62
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $12,600
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63
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $16,380
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64
Finn Juhl
Rare sofa, designed for a "Bachelor's Apartment" for the "Tidens Møbler 1947" exhibition, Copenhagen
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $37,800
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65
Harry Bertoia
"Sonambient" sounding sculpture
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $37,800
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66
Claude Conover
"Pillow" vessel
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $3,780
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67
George Nakashima
Pair of "Conoid Cushion" lounge chairs
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $47,880
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68
Peter Voulkos
Vase form
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
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69
Peter Voulkos
Vase form
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $8,820
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70
Paavo Tynell
Pair of large ceiling lights
Estimate $18,000 - 24,000
Sold for $22,680
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71
John Nyquist
Unique illuminated floor globe
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $8,190
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72
John Mason
"Grey Figure"
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $37,800
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73
Vladimir Kagan
"Contour" rocking chair, model no. 175F
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $37,800
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74
Vladimir Kagan
"Stalagmite" floor lamp
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $10,710
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75
Vladimir Kagan
Rare L-shaped sofa with "Tri-Symmetric" legs
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $26,460
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76
Vladimir Kagan
Swivel boudoir chair
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $7,560
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77
Vladimir Kagan
Early "Serpentine" sofa
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $30,240
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78
Judy Kensley McKie
"Dragon" coffee table
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $107,100
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79
Studio Job
Four-panel screen, from the "Perished" collection
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $44,100
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80
Franco Albini and Franca Helg
Rare daybed
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $13,860
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81
Franco Albini
Set of six "Luisella" chairs, model no. SD9
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $9,450
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82
Lella Vignelli and Massimo Vignelli
Rare "Kono" table
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $11,340
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83
Gino Sarfatti
Pair of wall lights, model. no. 232
Estimate $3,000 - 4,000
Sold for $8,190
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84
Fernando Campana and Humberto Campana
Unique "Bolotas Sofa (Black)"
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $88,200
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85
Lella Vignelli and Massimo Vignelli
"Kono" coffee table
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $2,394
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86
Maria Pergay
"Ring" chair
Estimate $18,000 - 24,000
Sold for $30,240
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87
Alessandro Mendini
"Arado" vase
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $1,638
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88
Alessandro Mendini
"Poltrona di Proust" armchair
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
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89
Franco Albini and Franca Helg
Pair of ceiling lights, model no. 2043
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $18,900
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90
Fernando Campana and Humberto Campana
"Panda Sofa" and "Panda Puff"
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $47,880
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91
Tito Agnoli
Ceiling light
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $11,340
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92
Corrado Corradi Dell'Acqua
Pair of "Montecarlo" side tables, from Casa Coggi, Arenzano
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $8,820
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93
Gianfranco Frattini
Sofa, model no. 872
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $11,970
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94
Gio Ponti
Pair of armchairs, model no. 811
Estimate $28,000 - 32,000
Sold for $52,920
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95
Max Ingrand
Floor lamp, model no. 1819
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $13,860
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96
Gio Ponti
Coffee table, model no. 2155, from the "Modern by Singer" series
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $32,760
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97
Gino Sarfatti
Ceiling light, model no. 3026/40
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $12,600
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98
Giovanni Ferrabini
Pair of coffee tables
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $11,970
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