vintage GN swag desk  

I';m confused
between the rare original (it was not a best seller) and the recently re-released edition from Herman Miller, I've never seen an unauthorized "reproduction".
When Herman Miller introduced the bringing back of the Swag-Leg(ged) group, I didn't read any structural or design alterations they were planning for the desk or table. I know, of course, that HM was going to use the current environmentally acceptable plastic for the chairs (instead of Fiberglass), and I know that had serious problems with the black and grey colors.
I've never seen a vintage desk, but the current version available from Herman Miller certainly looks exactly like the original....

i guess i am just wondering if
if the vintage desk is more valuable than the new licensed reproductions? i would assume so. if not, or equally valuable, i will get a new one that doesnt require refinishing and relamination.

Buy new, I'll take the vintage one
Just let me know where I can get it.
I'm only half joking here... I can't begin to understand why anyone would choose to buy a new piece when they have the opportunity to acquire a vintage example. Vintage swag leg desks are very rare and until Herman Miller began to make them again brought a lot of money at auction. Reproductions have impacted the value of their vintage counterparts across the board. Just look at the miniature chests and what they sold for before and after Herman Miller brought them back.
Regardless of what the vintage swag leg desk might be worth in the future, I am certain it will be more than what you would be able to sell your 2009 production desk if you buy a new one. That will simply be a piece of used furniture. It will not have the history, scarcity, or collectability of the vintage desk. And as for the condition, I would only worry about that if it was seriously damaged. If it is a vintage piece, why not let it reflect it's age? You can go wonders just oiling up the wood and polishing the laminate and chrome.
Sorry if I come across as opinionated, but that's all it is... my opinion.
Oh, and they did make one minor change. I understand that they added some sort of wire management to the new version, but it does not significantly effect the appearance.

Article in the NYtimes
In Search of the Just-Right Desk
"George Nelson, the company?s midcentury design director, and Charles and Ray Eames, were ?rethinking the domestic landscape,? said Mr. Albrecht, as something lighter, brighter and more flexible ? more open ? than it had ever been. The new pieces aren?t intended to revolutionize the way we live, but to support the revolution ? that would be the digital one ? that has already happened. The new desks have gutters at the back for cords and power strips, large surface areas for primary work (whatever is happening on the computer) and stepped areas, like an under shelf or a lip at the back for secondary work, which means places to put the mouse, the stack of bills and the cup of coffee.
The prettiest of the three new desks is the Airia ($2,199), designed by Kaiju Studios, in Providence, R.I. Made from walnut and white laminate, it has rounded corners and tapered, angled legs, which make it seem animate, poised for action..."
I prefer vintage. But in a desk you may want to start your own history.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/garden/08desks.html?pagewanted=1

Thanks
for your advice. This desk needs a lot of work. The laminate top is completely scratched up - like someone took scissors and cut it in many places. The colored wood is completely faded, chipped. I showed pics to a carpenter who says he can relaminate it. I dont know if that is a bad thing to do to a vintage piece? I would also prefer a vintage original, but this one does have some issues and I am trying to decide if it is worth fixing. I appreciate any more input. 🙂

What do you mean by "licensed reproductions"????
The vintage original was produced by Herman Miller.
The re-introduced version available today is by Herman Miller. The same furniture company produced both editions.
The term "licensed reproductions" indicates that the original owners of the copyright licensed it to be produced by some other company.
That's why I mentioned that I have not seen this "knocked off".
In this business, it's important that everybody understands the terms used; we've talked about that before. Perhaps I'm a bit more sensitive than others, but I'm still not aware if side by side the 1950's Swagged-leg desk is any different from the current Swag Leg Desk.
The only difference I can see is that Herman Miller and the Estate of George Nelson has decided to remove the "ged" from the word "Swag". Oh, and I forgot, Herman Miller added a grommet for cable management.

Thanks
Got it! I didnt understand the meaning of the term. Thanks!

Why not a hybrid
Using parts from the new line to "repair" the vintage piece.

Vintage v New
While I'm not opposed to either I try to approach it with a sense of how I am going to use the piece.
I have a few vintage pieces that are strategically placed where they will get little use from myself or friends. The newer pieces are out in the open for all to use.
My thought being - if this piece has survived 60 years intact then I don't want to be the one who breaks is. A desk is going to get a lot of use, you'll set your coffee down, you will undoubtedly drop something, or leave an uncapped pen.... For a desk I would go new. Get a desk robust enough that you can use it without fear of damaging it. That's the real day to day value - not what you might get at auction in 20 years.

yes
I understand completely! I have a mccobb planner desk that I am sitting at right now. I love the fact that it has some use and marks on it, but still looks beautiful. It smells very faintly of smoke, and I really enjoy the history of the piece. I like thinking that this desk was sitting in some family's house 30 years ago. I plan to refinish it someday, so dont mind being a little careless with it with coffee cups, etc. My Glenn of California desk, though, I will not use but just keep for show. I am scared of marking it up. I like owning something that is valuable and that I can tell people, even if they dont get it, "this is an original piece from so-and-so." I dont care so much about auctioning pieces but the fact that I own something unique, somewhat rare and valuable with some history. As opposed to owning a piece that is mass produced in China. I think the gn desk needs too many repairs and think I will save my money for something different. I seem to have a thing for desks. Am I the only one?

I agree with you, Rocky
When I had my Grasshopper chair and ottoman repaired and recovered, my upholsterer and I both decided not to sand and refinish the bent wood...just leave it as is with its nice period yellowey glow and just live with the few dings.
I try my best to maintain the look and condition of my furniture, but I'm not living in a gallery, so the stuff is there to be used, appreciated and lived with.
Hell, I've already had to clean up Cat urp from my sofa (thank goodness I bought my Bissell carpet cleaner with the attachment...it cleaned it up beautifully!)

On the other hand...
One could make the argument that enshrining these things as precious objects (too "good" to use) is contrary to the spirit of modern design.
If it were me-- fragile "original" with condition issues vs. new-- I'd get the new one. (or, maybe I'm just in a contrarian mood, today...)

condition is a big factor
Also, keep in mind that the value of a vintage swag leg desk will be affected by it's overall condition. If the vintage one you're considering is as beat up as you imply, it may never reach prices you see at auction houses. And if it's been restored, it won't reach those values because it's not original. If you can get the vintage piece for a good price (that is, significantly less than the new one), I'd go for it and just leave it alone. Otherwise, get the new desk.
fm