I am selling a vintage origional nNoguchi coffee table for my eighty year old neighbor
It is not the glass top model, it is the one with the one 'rudder' leg and two 'hairpin' legs. The table top and the rudder leg are Birch.
The auctioneer at Los Angeles Modern auctions said that in perfect origional condition it would sell for 45,000. Unfortanatly, my neighbor, who bought it new in the 50's, had it covered in brown wood grain formica in the the late 60's. I know....sad but true.
So the piece went off to action and was featured in the 12/7/09 sale, and it sold for 6,500, but now the buyer has not paid for it and it seems that it may soon be up to me to sell it.
But how? Craigslist? eBay? Another modern auction in Los Angeles? What to do....and how to do it...is my question
Anyone want an authentic vintage Noguchi, sealed in formica?
Metro Retro in Houston
had it in black for $595.00 and he had it up on eBay's "but it now" for two months or more and it didn't sell. Metro Retro took it off eBay and now has it on their own website.
So, they couldn't sell an intact one for $595.00. One covered in formica might be even less saleable....
The one on eBay was a knock-off??
What makes you think so? Metro Retro listed it as an original IN series Herman Miller table, and they sent me photographs of the actual table, because in their auction copy, they mentioned that it need some restoration. It looked original with some of the ebony lacquer color worn off.
I know that Metro Retro is a bit overpriced, but I'm not sure I can remember anyone complaining about them selling knockoffs or being dishonest.
I'm not absolutely certain of the seller...
But I think it was him. I asked the seller, and he replied that it was not Herman Miller. It was listed a few months ago, right? I think this was the only Noguchi(-style) rudder coffee table that I have seen on eBay in recent times.
Yes, most his (metroretro) stuff tends to be overpriced by about 3x.
It's possible that it was a different seller though.
Thanks for all the comments
Yes it is an authenic origional vintage Noguchi, again though, it is covered in wood grain formica so that presents an enormous problem.
My eighty year old neighbors'sons handled the auction process so I don't know any of the ins and outs of that process. Los Angeles Modern Auctions, which is an incredible and knowledgeable auction house, does not want to re auction items that did not sell , for whatever reason, the first time, because they want to keep their sales 'fresh'. I understand tha logic, so that is why I will be selling it.
It just seems strange to be selling such an expensive piece out of my garage. I imagine I'll be selling it for around 5000-5500.
There are also a pair of Florence knoll white laminate dining room tables that rwere returned from the auction
wish me luck!
why don't you post the ...
why don't you post the rudder table for your friends at DA.
I hate to say i think it might be a little harder than every one things to restore to the original
but well worth a try, as far as the 80 year old goes, I am sure all he cares about is getting a few bucks and does not want to go to the hassle of getting a new project going or he would have done it years ago. I have seen some incredible pieces over the years ruined with people thinking they were fixing up these old classics, mostly painting haywood wakefield . by the time the 80s rolled around these were somewhat worthless relics that no one really cared about, I hope all works out with the table. in the present form it should bring several 100 dollars.
Fixing it seems dangerous
The problem with removing the formica and resanding the wood is that ultimately I will end up with raw Birch and there will be no way (that I know of) that a potential buyer will be absolutely sure that it is the origional wood.
Remember that this piece was already auctioned at Los Angeles Modern Auctions this past December for 6,500. If it is 'restored', I am not at all sure if it would bring an equivilant additional amount of money.
In a strange way, I think that the piece is sort of more authentic the way it is, wood grain formica and all.
I tried to post a picture here but so far it has not worked. I will keep trying.
Thanks very much for all your comments!
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