George Nelson Platform Bench real or not?  

How could we advise you
without seeing a pix?

I have pictures but dont...
I have pictures but dont know how to host them on here. I can email them to someone who can host them for me. Thanks!

How to upload photos.
Easy I use Photobucket:
Upload onto PB
Copy the HTML CODE
THEN come on over to DA
Paste HTML CODE into "associated web images"
and that is it.
Hope this helps.
Also, if you go back to EDIT a comment you made and have a photo HTML you will need to reinsert otherwise the pic will break, at least this is what happens to me.

Nelson Bench Pics
Alas, I think I have figured it out. Please bare with me for this is my first post on DA.
I took 3 pictures one of the whole bench, one of the end finger joint detail (underside) and one of the middle support joint detail (underside) I dont believe the nails on the middle support to be original but I could be wrong. I didnt think they used nails to hold the bench together. The end of the middle support has the small dowel joint as does every joint on the end joints.
Also I am looking for original pictures of benches to cross reference if anyone has any. Where did the foil label sit exactly on the under side of the bench?

dude nice bench!
do not refinish, but rather clean and repair the finish.
since your bench is a black/blond herman miller production a worn finish is much more desirable to a refinished one$$.
nice score! what else did you buy at the sale?

This is all I got. I just...
This is all I got. I just purchased a foil tag from someone too, so this will be complete. How much would you say this is worth? I am planning on keeping it for a life time, but just wondering on the appraised value.

If it was a vintage bench
then it DIDN'T have a foil label.

strip it
Very nice bench. Quite timeless too.
If you are going to keep it then why not re-finish it? You can strip the varnish and re-coat it yourself or have it done professionally.
I wouldn't be too precious about the original finish especially if it is that deteriorated.

strip it!.....strip you!
if you strip it it will look like the multitudes of other reproduction benches out there. don't do it!
if it was mine i would clean the blond finish with a little a warm water, liquid dish detergent and amonia mixture. this will loosen dirt and gunk. use 00 steel wool and terry cloth but do not saturate wood. clean, abrase and wipe making sure to rinse wool and rags in fresh clean water so as to not redistibute the dirt and grease. let dry completely. when dry overcoat with minwax colonial maple and wipe excess. let properly dry and paste wax surface or lightly spray laquer .
the black base should just be steel wooled and waxed only.
your bench with light restoration can retail for $600-$800, but a bright new finish would drop it to $400-$600. and new fished ones sell slowly

WOW-Sweet find!
I concur with Mario.You want to retain the patina of a vintage bench,yet try to do your best to clean it without altering its originality.-Enjoy!

That bench is fabulous - if...
That bench is fabulous - if you restore it you'll never get that 50 year old colour back - give it a clean + a bit of wax won't hurt but do not strip it - please!

thanks for the pics!
And a nice bench.
It looks like it came in contact with moisture.
These were often retired to a breezeway or patio by the
original owners for plants.
Proceed with caution for a clean-up.
I do think it could use a sensitive cleaning but retaining its
age and patina.
One possible cleaning with TPS and a tblsp of bleach, a quick scrub
and a fast drying with a fan on full power. Followed by fine steel wool.
The original finish looks like factory varnish. Not a pentrating oil or wax.
You will no doubt be keeping it indoors in a dry climate. I would want to
seal it because the wood dowel plugs are now exposed to drying out and
may loosen.
Masking off the black base and varnish? or wax? Thoughts anyone?
A satin whiping varnish? Or a rattle can?

Sounds like
You got this for a steal no?
Perhaps use that as an excuse to spend a little extra $$ getting a professional to clean it up for you. Perhaps someone who refinishes and restores antiques would be good, as long as they know you basically want it cleaned, and maybe even a few bad stains removed.
I would not refinish it. I have a Nelson bench bought new by me about 5 years ago. I can't wait for it to have patina.

I picked it up for $300. I...
I picked it up for $300. I thought it was worth it. There is some water damage, and does look like this may have been outside for a short period. I will have to take some pictures in the next couple of days. I started the refinish process.