Want to see that second big find from last weekend? It's not quite as exciting as that super-cheap Birds in Flight, but everybody could always use...
... another Eames-style lounge chair! This brings the collection up to 7, so perhaps it might be time to start culling the herd, but how do I choose? Each one is like a snowflake, with it's own unique design.
This particular chair was manufactured by Selig in 1975, by which time they'd become rather brazen in their knockoffs of the Eames Lounge.
The arms are fully upholstered and welted and the proportions of the cushions are much more similar to the real deal than in earlier versions.
There's also the correct number of points on the aluminum base for the chair (5) and ottoman (4), and very nice looking aluminum headrest supports with rubber mounts.
This model, with it's many similarities to the actual Eames 670/671 lounge, represents the pinnacle of the Selig/Plycraft chair. An inexperienced collector could easily mistake this for an actual Herman Miller piece. For that reason, I am somewhat hesitant to get rid of it, but there are some nagging issues.
The upholstery has worn slightly on the seat and there is a tiny tear along the seam at the end of each armrest. Any ideas on fixing these? I was thinking of supergluing the seam back together, but I don't want to mess it up further in a misguided repair attempt. Will superglue form a good, lasting bond, or is there something else that I should look into?
If the seat is just worn, consider it patina. If the seams have just come apart on the arm, don't glue it! Get a small curved needle and hand sew it back together. Looks like a small section. Very nice chair!
ReplyDeleteThe collection is at 7! It sounds like there's a chair party at your house . . . wow. Color me jealous. Cheers - CT
ReplyDeleteHmmm maybe you could use epoxy to fix the arm rests? it would be better than glue, but I bet it would affect the value.
ReplyDelete7 chairs! I had no idea your collection was that big already.
ReplyDeleteI don't know of any glue that would repair a seam like that without discoloring the leather and showing. This may be a job for a professional.
By the way, did Ms. Modtomic keep you guys in line over the weekend? :)
And here I sit, with my collection at Zero. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteThe glue discoloring or drying the leather would be my big worry. Perhaps Dana is right and this needs some professional attention. Anyone know someone good at this kind of thing who could do a fix on the cheap in STL?
ReplyDeleteDoes your base have wobble? I would like to see a picture of the bottom of swivel post.
ReplyDeleteMine has a bent washer and a metal screw holding the mechanism together. Yours?