Just finished restoring 2 LCW's that had the infamous drilled seat backs.
They are Evans era per screw pattern. I thought it might be fun to try and add labels from that period as mine are not present. The labels are available on line to view at Eames Office, etc.
I am not very tech savvy, but I surmise that a facimile could be created and applied.
Any thoughts from anyone who has tried or??
Thanks
support
I realize I am in the minority on this but I am confused. We seek out great design here. Branding is and has been an integral part of this world for a long time. It is no different than any other area of consumer products. Every other type of product that is a restoration subject that I am aware of routinely replace lost labels, decals, badges, manuals, sales literature, etc when they are missing. Given the importance of branding in consumer products including modern design, restoration of these elements seems to me to be just another part of a good restoration as well as significant part of their history. Being a collector and dealer, I am both a personal and professional label whore. It is what it is. We respect and celebrate provenance and pedigree. We don't complain on this forum about restoration, so why object to this last part?
I follow your story, though...
I follow your story, though find it somewhat dubious to copy a label, as the print won't be original.
If it had originally labels, they were ruined when renovating and you're keeping the chairs to yourself: than I would say, yes, have fun.
If you're planning selling these I wouldn't attach these and give the buyer the choice.
You could also try to print the label oldschool (so it won't fade as modern color-prints do) and maybe insert your signature or symbol, so there's a hint for future investigators 🙂 like a specimen-symbol.
2 more photos
So-I reveneered the entire back of one of these as I was only able to find a walnut(wrong wood) drilled out back and the other I reveneered just the frontside of the chair back. The shockmounts are new on the chair backs only.
They are otherwise original Evans/HM chairs with the appropriate screw pattern.
Labels were missing when I obtained them 20 years ago.
I have written about this restoration process and received great advice in other threads discussing LCW's.
As I introduced the question of the challenge of reproducing a label for the underside, I stated it was for fun. To see if I could do it. I actually think it would be tough as I believe the original label was a rather thin type of decal.
I have no intention of selling these after all the work I put into them. They were in storage for 20 years! I'm excited to bring them back to the sunlight!
It's difficult to capture these in photos, but to a trained eye with close scrutiny, it would be an obvious repair job on the backs. A reproduction label would just be more of the same-obvious. I like the idea of adding my initials to the label though. Even gives me credit for the repair!
Thanks
Khus, You did an excellent j...
Khus, You did an excellent job restoring these chairs! You're right, hard to see the repairs in the photos, but the quality is exceptional considering the numerous curves of these chairs.
I was looking at my Evans DCWs last night. The "Marquee" style sticker has a large enough gap in the middle for you to write "Lovingly Restored by XXXX, circa 2010" .
label ideas
I think I will try to incorporate my initials and the date on the newly generated label.
It really is satisfying to bring these chairs back to life!I purchased them for $5 each with out backs from the same seller who,"had the backs somewhere." Of course, I never received that promised call that they had been found. Difficult to find replacements as most want to hang on to parts. Hence the 20 years of storage. Did find one drilled back in matching veneer early on from a dealer here in Minneapolis, so was able to use one chair. Novelty soon wears off, though and the carriage bolts become an eyesore. Creates chair envy when touring a design show at a museum or friend's house with all the right stuff.
Using a vacuum bag was crucial to getting the veneer right. Took me a few failed attempts before I figured out a process that would work for a tight fit. Tried to show some edges in my photos of the new veneer so you can see how it came out.
If you need any help, please contact us at – info@designaddict.com