'I cannot promise to support us well, but will sure in hell try': Famed designer Charles Eames' romantic 1941 proposal to Ray

An image of Charles Eames' love letter proposal to his future wife Ray has been released in honor of the 106th anniversary of his birthday on June 17, 1907.

The legendary designer couple, known for their contributions to 20th century furniture, art and architecture, were almost as famous for their enduring love, which lasted nearly 40 years until Charles' death.



In his 1941 handwritten proposal, shared online by BrainPickings.org , Charles wrote earnestly: 'I am 34 (almost) years old, singel (again) and broke. I love you very much and would like to marry you very very soon.[sic]'



Powerhouse couple: Charles and Ray Eames (pictured in 1959) were known for their sleek and modern furniture designs, as well as their contributions to 20th century architecture, film, fine art and graphic design

Love letter: In this 1941 handwritten letter, Charles proposes to Ray. 'I cannot promise to support us very well, but if given the chance will shure in hell try [sic]' he wrote

He continued: ' I cannot promise to support us very well. but if given the chance I'll shure in hell try. [sic]'



Next to a drawing of a hand wearing a ring on its wedding finger, the budding designer wrote: 'What is the size of this finger??'

In a side note, he specified: 'Soon means very soon'. Finally, he signed off: 'love xxxxxxxxxx Charlie'.

The husband-and-wife design team, who fell in love at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, are known for their innovative furniture creations and major contributions to the 20th century in the fields of architecture, film, fine art and graphic design.

'I cannot promise to support us very well, but if given the chance I will sure in hell try'

The 'Eames look' consists of sleek lines and a distinctly modernist aesthetic, with furniture constructed of molded plywood, fiberglass-reinforced plastic, wire mesh and cast aluminum.



Fourteen years after the couple got married, Ray sent a love letter collage to her husband, demonstrating her artistic sensibility and the enduring power of their love.



Loving wife: 14 years after the couple got married, Ray sent a romantic and colorful collage to her husband, demonstrating her artistic sensibility and the enduring power of their love

Different colored paper cut-outs glued to a sheet of pink paper contained short and charming messages of love, like: 'So happy about you and Paris'.

Charles and Ray's romance endured until 1978, when Charles died of a heart attack during a consulting trip in St Louis, Missouri.



Ten years later to the day, Ray passed away in Los Angeles, California.

In the early stages of their success, Charles was often given sole credit for their creations, but it was eventually revealed that many of their successful designs were a joint collaboration.

Designers at work: Ray and Charles (pictured circa 1958), who were married fro nearly 40 years, collaborated on modern and sleek aluminum chairs for furniture company Herman Miller

According to the Eames Office , in 1952 Charles said of their partnership: 'We've been working together for, oh, 12 years now, I guess.

'At first I used to help and criticize things she was doing, and then she would help and criticize things I was doing, and we would. . . pitch in and do all the jiggering for each other and get it as people do.