- Photo Courtesy of Wright The most valuable Eames pieces date from the first decade of production: 1946-1956. But pieces from the later ’50s to the early ’60s can have collectible value, too. The good news is “a lot of the work is signed,” Wright says. About 70% of the pieces had paper decals, so the first thing to look for on the underside of a chair or table, or the inside a cabinet drawer, is a sticker (or the remnants of one). “Not being marked doesn’t mean something’s a fake,” Wright cautions – labeling was a little...- Photo Courtesy Wright The paper stickers varied, depending on the year and article of furniture. But they were usually colored red, cream or black (or a combination). They usually say “Charles Eames” or “Designed by Charles Eames.” They bear in the name of the manufacturer: Herman Miller Furniture Company, with its logo – it looks like a pair of stylized antlers, or a two-pronged crown. Underneath is written Zeeland, Michigan or Venice, California, the locales of the company’s factories.
(Be wary if you see anything... Eames Label on Fiberglass Chair. Objects made with molded fiberglass, like the famous bucket and shell chairs mid-century furniture collectors clamor to own, often have decals bearing the name “Zenith Plastics” still intact. Another name to watch for: Tigrette, which made the Eames line of toys. Label on Wooden Eames Chair. On wooden chairs, tables and recliners, the sticker often includes the name “Evans” – the Evans Product Company manufactured the plywood the Eames used so artfully. This shouldn't be confused with mid-century designer Paul Evans. The underside of a piece may also have three letters stamped, impressed or hand-written on it – something like LCW, DAX, DCM. These are the model names. Eames pieces were named military-fashion, Wright notes, with three-letter abbreviations. “LCW” stands for “Low... Eames Chair with Wear Patina. Do ask if a piece has its original finish. In keeping with their mantra of functional furniture, the Eames weren’t into fancy finishes;
so a piece should have a soft patina, further augmented by the passage of decades. The earliest furniture was in muted colors; bright saturated hues came in later. But whatever the color, “a real warning sign is if a piece is too band-box fresh, too gleaming,” says Wright. “It should look a little worn, show its age – that’s desirable.” Looking old is one thing, but – as with any antique or collectible – condition does matter. And the more original that condition, the better. Even such details as whether the screws on a piece have ever been loosened can affect a piece’s value. (“Some Eames collectors do get into minutiae,” Wright allows.) Some repair-oriented changes – such as a new rubber feet tips or shock mounts to replace dried-out or cracked ones – don’t matter that much. Still, perfection commands a price. Eames Upholstered Chair, 1950. Because they were mass-produced, there are a lot of examples of Eames furniture out there – so, many items are not extremely expensive (at least, by antique furniture standards).
But some models were less common than others. So, in terms of pricing, “it does become about rarities,” Wright says. At his auction, the chair pictured left fetched $2,000 – while a pair of similar ones, the same model from the same year with the same sticker and in basically the same condition, collectively brought... Eames Billy Wilder Chaise, 1968. The Eames designed furniture for both offices and homes. If you’re acquiring mainly for investment value, focus on the latter. “The office furniture is generally worth less, has less collector cachet,” Wright notes. That’s partly due to popularity – “most of their greatest hits were designed for the home” – and scarcity: Herman Miller began phasing out the residential furniture line in 1965, but continued making the business line. In 1994, the company launched the Herman Miller for the Home... Eames Storage Unit Product Catalog. As with any area of collectibles – if you’re serious, study the field and educate yourself.
Many museums feature Eames pieces. There’s no shortage of literature about the duo; Eames Design: The Work of the Office of Charles and Ray Eames by Marilyn & John Neuhart and Ray Eames (Harry N. Abrams, 1989) is “definitely the Bible,” Wright says. , run by Charles’ grandson, is also a valuable resource and currently working on a catalogue raisonné of the Eames canon....With graceful, sweeping lines and a distinctly modern design, the iconic Eames lounge chair debuted in 1956 and remains in production. Known as the 670 Eames chair and 671 Eames ottoman, these incorporate layered plywood seat shells, wood veneer, and leather cushions. Designers Charles Eames and his wife Ray-Bernice created the lounge chair as commissioned by Herman Miller Furniture. Consumers can find an Eames chair from brick-and-mortar stores and online sources, such asBefore purchasing a vintage Eames chair, consumers should consider a few tips. Shortly after the Eames lounge chair hit the market, imitators soon followed.
Herman Miller took out an advertisement that cautioned consumers to avoid fakes. Plycraft produced a notable knock-off, which was considerably taller and bulkier than the original chair. The genuine headrest and chair back have equal proportions. Additionally, the ottoman and the seat cushions are interchangeable. Charles Eames believed the chair should have "the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman's mitt." The chair's design originates with traditional and comfortable English club chairs. Consumers may wish to become familiar with the distinctive details of the Eames chair through reference books. While many faux Eames chairs recline when the user leans back, the authentic item does not. The seat is low, and these lounge chairs contain a permanent recline. The armrests curve outward, following the flare of the seat's shell. A second piece of leather welting covers authentic armrests. Copies have flat armrests and may have one piece of leather covering the edge.
Many vintage Eames lounge chairs have paper labels on their undersides but about 30 percent of early original examples never had a label. These cream, red, or black labels typically read "Designed by Charles Eames" or "Charles Eames." The manufacturer's label reads "Herman Miller Furniture Company" and displays the company logo, which has two sharp prongs with a U-shaped interior. The factory location indicates Venice, California or Zeeland, Michigan. Early chairs should not have a zip code on the address, as they were not in use in the 1950s. The stickers may also include the plywood manufacturer name "Evans." Authentic Eames lounge chairs utilized specific materials in the exterior shell and cushions. Brazilian rosewood, walnut, cherry, or santos palisander construct the shell. Herman Miller ceased production of chairs made with Brazilian rosewood, which embargoed worldwide in 1992. Age should softly wear the original finish of an Eames chair. It is possible that the chair's owner refinished or replaced the shell if the finish looks brand new.
The urethane foam-filled cushions should be 6 inches deep and upholstered with soft leather. Look for black, tan, cream, or other muted colors in vintage examples. The seat cushions attach to the plywood shells with invisible rings and clips, which eliminate the need for bolts and screws. Authentic Eames lounge chairs display careful attention to detail that extends to the metalwork's fit and finish. Potential buyers should examine several crucial details to ensure that the chair is a true Eames. The ottoman has a four-legged base with legs that rise slightly toward the center pedestal. The chair's base contains five legs. Sets with the wrong number of legs are copies. Bases contain die-cast aluminum that is powder-coated black and the trim is polished aluminum. The feet should have adjustable glides made of stainless steel or rubber shock mounts. The threaded glides allow the chair to stay level. The top and bottom elements of the chair back connect with two die-cast aluminum braces.
Chair backs with square tubular braces indicate a copy. Authentic Eames lounge chairs should not have any exposed bolts or screws. Consumers should check the connection point between the legs and the center post. There should be a clean weld with no caps to hide bolts or uneven welds. While vintage pieces should have well cared for shells and leather, consumers may replace consumables, such as the shock mounts or rubber tips on the feet, without affecting the value of the chair. Replacing the rubber shock mounts can extend the chair's life, especially if used frequently. Once you decide on a vintage Eames chair, begin your search on any eBay page. Enter a term, such as "Eames lounge chair," into the search box and browse the listings. You can refine your search by specifying condition, color, or year. Because of the size of these pieces, look for sellers near your location. Be sure the seller is amenable to an in-person inspection and pickup before committing to the transaction.