The fabric looks like Kvadrat's Hallingdal (still in production, available from Maharam in the US):
http://maharam.com/products/hallingdal-by-kvadrat/colors/547
That's if it's wool, of course. The weave is called hopsack and there are also synthetic versions in bright colors, too---but pretty unlikely that someone reupholstered it in Hallingdal long ago, or even in a synthetic hopsack. Nearly all reupholstery jobs I've seen (a lot) have been in fabrics popular when the reupholstery was done, not in fabrics appropriate for the piece.
OK! So if it's original, is the foam dry and crunchy? There is no remedy for that, short of replacing it. You should get latex foam. It costs a lot more than urethane foam but that's what these were made with and it's also more comfortable than urethane foam. It will also keep its resiliency way longer than urethane foam.
If the fabric isn't worn out, you may be able to reuse it but that would be the call of whoever redoes it. Please find someone really good! I've seen so many botched jobs where fabric and foam had to be glued to a curvy form.
As for value, if you're thinking of selling it---remember that the prices on 1stDibs are for a rarefied market and you won't get that kind of money in the venues that most people sell in. If you know a 1stDibs dealer who will take it on consignment, you might do ok but maybe in the end you would get just as much selling it yourself, restored or unrestored. Or maybe you plan to keep it, I don't know! I'm just saying there are a lot of factors involved.
Thanks Spanky! Anne had just sent on another message detailing how it should be cared for and repaired and mentioned the same fabric! It is indeed wool. The foam is actually in great shape, no sagging or crunchy, dry areas. I'm still unsure as to whether I'll keep it or sell it on, I underestimated the sheer scale of it. I feel like I should be taking care of it and restoring it to its former glory, as it's such an iconic piece!
Reamie,
Congratulations. Restore the chair for you. You will have the satisfaction of a job well done and also know you should never attempt another restoration all accomplished while sitting in your chair. Perfect. Enjoy your chair.
I told my wife everything (and more) that is in your emails last night when we spoke of your acquisition. She was curious as to how I knew this and if I had informed you. I told her that this chair is on my list of desires (the Formula chair is in my back yard) and that I had confirmed it's authenticity, but had left some information for you to discover.
This is good. I remain happy for you.
Thank you again niceguy, I have to say I really enjoyed the process! I've been in touch with an upholsterer who is really sympathetic to pieces like this and she is coming over to have a look during the week. I'm very excited about having this chair, the most excited I have been about any of my aquisitions! I will post pictures here once completed!
(in voce Crocodile Dundee)
That's not a Ball Chair that needs to be restored . . .
http://www.ebay.com/itm/391390504393?rmvSB=true
. . . that's a Ball Chair that needs to be restored.
That poor chair!!!! The horror!!! Mine seems like it's right of the shop floor compared to that!! Having talked to a lot of people and as the scratches all seem superficial and not deep I'm going to clean the surface first with 3m polishing compound. Then I'm going to use gelcoat filler on the small, deeper scratch, taping off the undamaged fibreglass. Once that's dried, tape of off again and sand gently with very fine sandpaper soft block. Then I'm going to use a buffer to polish it up using the compound. The upholstery is going to be salvaged for now by a great upholsterer!
Reamie,
You have developed a plan of action to rehabilitate your chair. Images indicating successful completion of your stated intentions will be well received. Let the show begin.
cdsilva,
The unit you pictured at a low price (less that 500.00) appears workable. LTL freight of that chair strapped to a pallet is meaningless.
Remie,
If this post appears more than once I apologize! I clicked edit and something went wrong!
I have a Ball Chair which I purchased in the 60's. It's in good shape and I'd like to sell it. Could you share with the the contact info for ADELTA so that I can document it to help sell it?
Thanks so much!
Nerakeri
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