Warren Platner Chair  

The Leopold Lehigh chairs...
The Leopold Lehigh chairs are the rarest, or the loveseats for Knoll. Why do you want the rarest, do you like the chairs or are you looking to make an investment?

Value vs. Value
A better explanation as to why you'd like 'valuable' chairs might assist people in determinging where to recommend.
IMO value is relative to scarcity & demand. If something is particularly scarce - say a Jacobsen 3103 'School' chair - but isn't in high demand, it has relatively low value. However something somewhat common - say Ant chairs - but are in higher demand, can command higher prices.
Also IMO value is relative to function. Unless you're starting a museum you are probably going to be using the chairs. Use = decrease in value/increase risk of damage so some might question whether a truly valuable chair is the best option for something in day-to-day use.

thank you for the reply
I am not starting a museum but I have been looking on the internet for awnsers to questions before I make a purchase.
Questions like why is the platner bronze chair considered rarer than the regular color?
Why is it that the vintage pieces are less expensive than brand new pieces. I have alot to learn but I have found it very hard to get information that explains these issues.
No books or magazines that I have found on google can provide the required knowledge.
I understand it takes time and years of studying. I am not buying for investment but i would like for my purchase to be worth something in the future if i need to ever sell it.
thanks for all your advice.

All questions can be answered with an automotive analogy
"Why is the platner bronze chair considered rarer than the regular color?"
For the same reason that brown Porsches are rare.
"Why is it that the vintage pieces are less expensive than brand new pieces?"
For the same reason that a 5-year-old Jeep costs less than a new Jeep.

I have 4 Platner pieces...
My most valuable pieces being the large, high back lounge chairs with ottoman in the bronze. Metropolis Modern in NYC has one, recovered, for sale at $7700. SoHo Treasures in NYC also has a set of two in the original green fabric for $15,000 in the nickle. These chairs went out of production in the 90's, as the retail prices were ridiculous. The bronze finish originally was not charged for, however over the years Knoll started up charging for it. It also adds weight to the chairs, which escalates freight charges on the chairs. I think most people preferred the nickle finish, so less orders for the bronze were placed, leaving them as a rarity these days. Since the Knoll collection is still in production, older versions will continue to be less than a new piece. However as manufacturing costs increase, the retail prices will be beyond reach for most, as they pretty much are now, I can see the collection being put out of production. Only then will you see values of the older pieces appreciate. Start collecting now!
If you need to recover them, use an approved Knoll fabric, not to depreciate their value, and find a professional upholsterer in your area who has knowledge of the chairs. Contact Knoll for a recommendation, I've done it a few times and they are always more than happy to help.
The Lehigh Leopold Collection are probably Platner's most elegant furniture ever produced, developed for the Yale Club of New York when it underwent renovations in 1972. The sofa's have sold at auction for over $10,000, and I have seen the executive desks for sale in the $20,000 range. The Steelcase collection of swivel lounge chairs were only produced for a short period of time in the 1970's... again commanding a few thousand per chair. IMO, these were his most comfortable chairs. Filter in Toronto had a set of them, not sure if he still does.
http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_search.php?i_keyword=platner&stype=1&ty...

Yes, the rarest Platner pieces
are the pieces that were discontinued awhile back:
The setee/couch
The large lounge chair and ottoman
are probably the most desireable pieces.

thank you fastfwd
I appreciate you ability to provide a novice like myself with a little knowledge not just sarcasm!!

ankh1980 THANK YOU
What can i say but thank you for the insight and information.
You answered all my questions and I look forward to purchasing a chair as a surprise for my wife. I am not sure if I should buy a lounge chair or a dinner chair.
They are both beautiful.
I can't afford the high back chair at the present moment.
Thanks again!!

look at these two
I plan on correcting the cloth but i think these are both great deals and i cant seem which one to pick.
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-PAIR-KNOLL-PLATNER-CHAIRS-ITALIAN-ULTRA-SUED...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pair-Warren-Platner-Knoll-Lounge-Chairs-Modern-Eames...
What do you think?

The Peach Lounge Chairs
are the much better deal. Since it's a Buy Now/Best Offer... these chairs usually close at $2500 for one when auctioned! Plus they are in the bronze finish too, much more valuable. It wouldn't cost much to have these chair recovered, since the latex foam still looks to be in good shape.

Another rarity I didn't mention...
The Soft Seating Group from Steelcase, again, only produced for a short period of time. The sofas now sell in the $5000 range... great, modern, space-age design from the 1970's
http://cgi.ebay.com/Space-age-Warren-Platner-Steelcase-sofa-Panton-Eames...

miami
there is actually a store in miami that has a pair of those steelcase platner sofas for sale that belonged to a famous singer in town.
I like the peach lounge chairs but she will only go down to around 2000.

Well, well - that peach colored Platner chair sure looks familiar...
I sold one of these chairs to this fellow on eBay around a month or so ago for $895.00. The one with the hole in the cushion.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pair-Warren-Platner-Knoll-Lounge-Chairs-Modern-Eames...

Carolyn
Carolyn,
Thank you for the information. I wanted to know what your opinion is in regards to the quality of the iron work?
Do you think $2,000 is alot for the two chairs.
Do you own a website?