I saw this on the Eames website and i really don't want to be to negative, but in my opinion I think this molded plywood elephant is a big waste of money.
Now before you start the dump on me
think about this is very small and cost $1907.00 plus 137.00 to ship for a total of $2038.
Now I know to buy great stuff it cost a lot of money but I just can't see this one, what do you all think? the write up says that the Eames designed this to be a childs
toy .... and we all know they were not the greatest childs toy designers..
I think one of our Design addicts said brilliantly their toys were more for your eyes. so would you have spent 2000.00 for your childs toy? If so give me a call you can find the number and i have some great stuff, in the attic. for 1 million dollars.
Eames Gallery
2007 Anniversary Edition of the Eames Plywood Elephant
PRE ORDER NOW - ARRIVING IN NOVEMBER
Special discounted price for pre-orders! Prices increase to $2007 in November 2007.
To celebrate the 100th birthday of Charles Eames, Vitra is introducing a limited anniversary edition of the Eames Plywood Elephant, a legendary furniture sculpture that was designed in 1945 but never produced for general distribution and sale. Of the two known prototypes, only one remains in the Eames Family Archives.
Charles and Ray Eames were fascinated by elephants. Many images of these gentle giants are found in Charles' photographic documentations of Indian culture and the circus world. The Plywood Elephant was designed as a toy for children, but also as a striking sculptural object that makes a statement in any environment with its vigorous curves and delightful character.
We can only guarantee delivery on the first 100 of each color ? natural maple and red stained maple. If you place a reservation for a color that is no longer available, you will be given the opportunity to take the second available color or opt out of your reservation.
The Anniversary Edition is packaged in a special collector's box and the serial number of each Plywood Elephant is engraved on a small aluminum plaque. The elephants will be available to ship in November. Shipping costs will vary depending upon your location. Please contact the Eames Office for more information. Place your orders now and receive one of the first Eames Molded Plywood Elephants produced. Only purchases directly from the Eames Office include a special surprise gift from the Eames Family.
Dimensions: 30" trunk to tail, 14" wide and 16 5/16" tall
This should have been
Uggh.... this is the most ridiculous thing in the world. The plywood elephant should have been picked up by Target and retailed for $30. Target should have made a huge deal about pairing up with the Eames, providing lots of publicity for both parties and getting people re-interested in the rest of the Eames work.
Instead Vitra did a release with huge fanfare and a bigger price tag. Since the elephant never existed in actual production the release has no value to collectors other than prestige and conspicuous consumption.
If they were $30, or $50, or $100 I might own one. I think they are a fun toy, way better than the plastic rocking horse I had growing up. At this price I wouldnt even entertain the fantasy of owning one.
Not true
Its not an accurate statment to say "We all know they weren't the greatest designers of toys"
Their toys were good - just not picked up and distributed very well. Compared to the computerized, glamourized, violent, mindless, and gender specific crap being marketed to kids today the Eames toys are refreshingly simple in their approach to play. They require that a child be engaged and creative - something any teacher will tell you is the best way for a child to be creatively and intellectually stimulated.
LuciferSum
Put this one in the book Lucifersum
I could not agree with you more,
Target would have been a knocked out idea
good enough for Michael Grave and all his great stuff, and it would have sold tons and gotten people who did not know about Eames interested , but instead Vitra trying to make the last buck off the dead , Now this one is a pity!!!
I think the Eames toy desi...
I think the Eames toy designs were dumb! glad to say it, I love the Eames like they were my bubbie and Zadea, but the toys could not cut it with any 5 year old,
This is my era, I lived the toys and played with them every day we had no computer toys or transformers but we had great stuff that kept us amused for a few hours, if we had ridilin we could have been amused for days ,
We loved playing the games sitting on the Eames chairs but it stopped there. The Eames toys just did not make sense, we were not into Educational toys back then just a simple toy made us happy, not complex
cards. Judging from sales of the Eames toys I think that is how most kids felt.
Target
Well that would have been one excellent choice that would have both extended the reach of the Eames influence and put money in the fat, selfish mouths of their license holders. It's quite a win win. Instead everyone else loses.
This is an outright mind blowing slap in the face to the Eames' design princliples. $2007? What in the sam hell?
The amusing thing is that as soon as it came out I spotted it's many inconsistencies with the original. It isn't even made correctly. It's really a bad knock-off (made unlike the original) being sold for an extraordinary price. "Happy Birthday Charles. We f**ked up your legacy and made ourselves rich."
That's it. I will never, ever buy another NEW Eames item. It's 100% vintage or nothing now. This is bullshit.
I am with whitespike and ...
I am with whitespike and lucifersum and HP this is so stupid It is even pissing me off!!!!!!!
I think it was great to come out with the anniversary chair in a special rosewood and a nice little plague on the bottom.
but a elephant made of plywood You would not see Herman Miller stamping this one out... only Vitra and the Eames office?
now I wonder about t he Eames office, I guess they sit around at family meeting thinking of ways of pushing the envelope for more ways to let Grandpa make them some money.
These heirs have to be makeing some royalty off this old stuff ... You would think?
but they know how revered their grandparents were , and the simple but classic principles that they preached. low cost furniture, ....low cost elephants, I think every one who reads this thread is really sickened and grossed out by this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!
must see movie
Of the two known prototypes, only one remains in the Eames Family Archives.
Lets call Stephen Spielberg. I think we can do Indiana Jones 6 haveing he is finishing filming Indiana Jones 5 ...
Indian Jones and the lost Eames prototype Elephant.... coming to a theater Christmas '09 for the 102 yr birthday of Charles Eames, great that is the ticket!!
If you need any help, please contact us at – info@designaddict.com