Hans Wegner J16 Rocking Chair worth it?  

I can't see your images but a Hans Wegner chair for $150???....It's got to be worth it, even if it does need some work.

Images up
Should be there now H.moon. Take a look.

A few more images...
Some more to show wear and the marks.

Yep.
Get it now, yes it's worth it! It's beautiful even as it is. The seat looks to be in good order which is great because they're a bit tricky in terms of DIY fixes (I'm looking' down the barrel of just such a project!) If it's one of the originals it will be stamped (imprinted) up under one of the arm rests with the FDB logo and a date. Not sure if the modern Fredericia (?) reproductions have anything like this but even they retail for substantially more than $150 - not to mention it's a lovely chair!

Hope you've bought it by now...
The 'wear & tear' is actually really beautiful. Doesn't look to have any actual damage. Presume you've check this sort of thing already...
http://www.danishdesignstore.com/collections/hans-j-wegner-j16-rocking-c...
What are doing still reading this? Go get it!

Don't refinish it!!
The patina is divine.

I agree
these pieces are the antiques of the future (if that isn't too much of a cliche)
We're going to expect, and value, patina and wear soon on Mid-Century pieces.
Looks like now is the time to start, I'm envious!

Quick update!
I have it!
Thanks for all your enthusiasm and comments. I couldn't help but see me rocking my kids in it some day. Couldn't let it go.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed a few things to show you all here soon and would love some advice on. So I hope to keep the thread going for a bit.

Score!
Congratulations. I agree with the above comment, a patina of 50-60 years of use is actually a sign of authenticity with objects like this. Especially as these days all the big names (like Wegner) are being bootlegged - sorry reproduced - generally without license. No one's going to accuse this one of being a knock-off!
Keep it real.

Some questions and advice
Well after picking up the chair, I have noticed a few things that I wanted to ask you guys for help on. It's mine now for $125.00 so I hope I've still made out ok and I hear some good feedback.
I never noticed it before and maybe it could have happened in transport, but one of the spindles has a pretty significant break/crack in it making it wobbly. Any pushing would surely break it completely. It's the only one and I can't believe I wouldn't have noticed it before. Pretty bummed about it. Everything else is sturdy as ever.
You'll see the photo and I'd love advice on what to do. Seems hard to try and get glue into it and I'm no expert.
I also see a slight piece of wood missing near the weld of the runner and a leg. It's still very sturdy there, but a small bit is obviously gone.
Finally, you can see the weave and some more of the condition/patina of the finish. The weave crud seems to come off by scratching it with my fingernail so what's best to clean it?
And how does everyone feel on the paint/finish? Any more positives to take away or does this need redone to the majority of you?
It's incredibly beautiful and I hope the purchase wasn't too much of a reach.
Leaving it to you experts. Appreciate any guidance you all can give me.
Thanks again.

Well....
...I wouldn't worry about the chip near the rocker.
I would seriously think about getting it stripped or sanded and then repainted.
I would have that broken spindle replaced.
And last, I would look into cleaning the seat with soap. I think LuciferSum here did that with a paper cord seat (maybe on this same chair?) and had good results. I believed he used the same kind of soap that is used on Danish pine floors. I will hunt around for the thread tomorrow when I have more time.
The seat is worth trying to clean if the cords are intact. I got one of these same chairs in very nice condition (and for only $15! Do not hate me!) but the seat had a few minor stains on it. Cocky me, I thought I could just rip it out and reweave it. WRONG. It's very, very hard to weave, mostly because the paper cord in that thicker diameter is just plain tough to work with in this type of seat. So do what you can to preserve it!

Found it
A little info on using soap flakes on paper cord (towards the end). He mentions using it on paper cord on Wegner wishbone chairs too and I think I remember that discussion on this board.
I didn't read the other responses on this thread before I posted mine. At first I thought y'all were joking about the patina---or were you? There's patina and then there's...well, more what I'd call just plain damage. I think this much distress to the finish takes away from the beauty of this chair.
PS--just had a big discussion with my kids tonight about whether to keep my J16. They were all telling me (very callously, I thought!) to sell it when I move again in a few months. I vetoed the idea. I don't have a spot for it right now but I know I will someday and then I would really, really regret giving it up. So I am keeping it. It's just too beautiful.
http://www.designaddict.com/design_addict/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/th...

Great stuff Spanky
I'll concede to you on the $15 effort. That's just ridiculous. But the place I picked it up from is a local favorite who know me and the sales go to social causes. Either way, I do love knowing I have it.
Love to hear more about the soap idea or any other tips. The seat weave is really in wonderful condition and pretty tight in my opinion. Just incredibly dirty. I feel like it can be cleaned with a toothbrush or something but want to wait for all the info to come in.
Anything else I can do with the spindle temporarily? Some tape graft or glue it until a more permanent solution can be done?
The patina has charm to it but I do think there might be too much paint loss (especially the back and runners) for looks sake.
Thanks for your help.

Follow-up
Just saw your latest post and yeah, I would probably agree. There's patina and there's cause for concern. Would of been interesting to hear that feedback before I raced back to pick it up...I'm more on your side but have no idea what type of investment that would be along with repairing the spindle.
Forget those rugrats. I have yet to have any of my own but I had dreams of even sitting with a grandchild in this thing. Absolutely agree with you. It's so beautiful. Timeless in so many ways. It's a house must.
For the condition, it's still wonderfully stable except for that spindle and I'm hoping this will have a great story to tell.