The "Truth" About "Fakes!"
Being a fan of modern design for about a decade -I've come across different perspectives on the issue of the reproduction.
Personally, I feel that If I had the discretionary cash-such as if I had a net worth of over $1M, I would buy mostly originals (unless I had young children).
I've met several designers and corporate execs from design manufacturing firms that argue that the "licensed" versions are the true investment which will maintain and appreciate in value.
They've argued, somewhat ridiculously I believe that if you can't afford the licensed version-then don't buy it at all.
How preposterous! Here's my take on the investment issue.
If you have the disposable cash to pay $2,200 for an Arco Lamp-it might be a wise investment.
Or not.
It's generally accepted that paying extra for a licensed copy will ensure the items value and appreciation.
There is truth to this but I like to dig a little deeper since this is considered to be one of the main reasons why I should "invest" in a licensed reproduction.
It is true that the original will appreciate over time however at first, just like a new car driven off the lot, its value will drop.
In other words the same lamp you just bought for $2,200 ($2354 with 7% sales tax), if you turned around and sold it on eBay-you might get $1700 for it.
A loss of $654-a 27% loss and not a good investment.
Thankfully however, it will rise in value after that initial drop at the approximate rate of inflation, all other factors such as supply and demand remaining equal.
At a 7% inflation rate, it would take over 4 years to get back to breakeven on my investment.
However, wouldn't the same rate of inflation apply to any asset maintained in good condition and still in demand such as my Arco reproduction purchased for $499? Wouldn't the savings I realized also appreciate at the same rate in my IRA? I've owned reproductions that present the same look and feel and get the same "ewws" and "ahhs" from friends and family for years.
My "Nelson Bench" is still holding up my 100lb Plasma TV, my "Saarinen" Marble top table is still the pleasure of myself and others to both look at and eat on, the ebony finish is still on the base and the glass is still in one piece on my "Noguchi" coffee table.
My "Arco" lamp is still lighting my workspace as I write this-and I haven't so much as needed to change the bulb yet.
The combined money I saved by buying good quality reproductions (several thousand dollars by my estimate) is still in my bank earning me interest instead of paying some high salary corporate exec (these designers aren't around anymore).
It's a personal choice but I ask myself would most buyers really feel better knowing that 7% of their $8000 sofa went to the actual material/labor/advertising of a product, while the other 93% went to the licensee's yacht payment -- all for the sake of loyalty? And if the quantifiable differences between licensed and non-licensed products are marginal, (which in some instances, they probably are, not to mention the cases where the unlicensed versions trump the licensed versions), to what then does a buyer owe his loyalty? It's a fair question, at least in some cases.
Don't get me wrong, I sincerely appreciate their contribution but, nowadays I'm more concerned with whether the Phillips light bulb I buy will give me what I'm looking for at a price I like than whether Thomas Edison is still getting his share of proceeds.
Selling "unlicensed" reproductions off as "licensed".
I personally despise dishonest salespeople proportionate to the amount of damage their lies can do.
For example, if I buy a "widget" at an electronics store and the guy told me the batteries were included-and I get home and they're not-I'm pissed but I'll get over it, maybe even still buy from their store if it conveniences me.
However, if a doctor tells or leads me to believe to surgery will alleviate the pain in my knee and after the surgery, the limping and the rehab-it still hurts- then I REALLY feel betrayed angry and violated (sorry I'm getting a little of topic).
Point is that I personally don't condone any dishonesty in this industry.
Most of the people that I meet that have a mutual affinity towards MCM (mid-century modern), know all about the licensed and unlicensed reproductions.
Every customer I've ever dealt with knew they were buying a reproduction.
I suspect there are dealers who may be selling the fakes off as originals but, personally I think the line is pretty clear between the two.
In addition to the occasional dishonest dealer posing fakes as authentic there is the bigger issue of the unlicensed reproduction: Quality variation.
The variance of quality with the unlicensed reproduction is undoubtedly a subject of considerable concern since not all reproductions are created equal.
This is why the franchise principal is so successful- you always know what you're going to get even if it's a nutritionally void 2000 calorie burger or a ridiculously over-priced cup of coffee or, licensed modern furniture.
At least you know what you're gonna get and you can depend on that.
People like that.
When you buy a licensed reproduction-you know what you're gonna get- at least most of the time.
I've come to find that there are good reproductions and poor ones just as there are unscrupulous dealers and those with integrity and good decent knowledgeable service.
I have found reproductions of an "egg" chair that had its upholstery start to unglued itself.
Other items may be lopsided and something is skewed, the measurements are off, the material choices are poor quality, the steel rusts, the fabric tears, the plywood shows saw marks on the wood.
I have seen some that virtually unidentifiable from the original and will hold to that for many years to come.
In my opinion, it is of critical importance when considering a purchase of an unlicensed reproduction over licensed one is to carefully inspect personally (or by friend in the industry-not the salesman who calls himself your friend either) the quality of the stitching, the symmetry of the lines from 360 degrees, the quality of the steel, the materials used, the reputation of the dealer (you should always check the betterbusinessbureau.
com for complaints) to name a few.
Personally, I feel that If I had the discretionary cash-such as if I had a net worth of over $1M, I would buy mostly originals (unless I had young children).
I've met several designers and corporate execs from design manufacturing firms that argue that the "licensed" versions are the true investment which will maintain and appreciate in value.
They've argued, somewhat ridiculously I believe that if you can't afford the licensed version-then don't buy it at all.
How preposterous! Here's my take on the investment issue.
If you have the disposable cash to pay $2,200 for an Arco Lamp-it might be a wise investment.
Or not.
It's generally accepted that paying extra for a licensed copy will ensure the items value and appreciation.
There is truth to this but I like to dig a little deeper since this is considered to be one of the main reasons why I should "invest" in a licensed reproduction.
It is true that the original will appreciate over time however at first, just like a new car driven off the lot, its value will drop.
In other words the same lamp you just bought for $2,200 ($2354 with 7% sales tax), if you turned around and sold it on eBay-you might get $1700 for it.
A loss of $654-a 27% loss and not a good investment.
Thankfully however, it will rise in value after that initial drop at the approximate rate of inflation, all other factors such as supply and demand remaining equal.
At a 7% inflation rate, it would take over 4 years to get back to breakeven on my investment.
However, wouldn't the same rate of inflation apply to any asset maintained in good condition and still in demand such as my Arco reproduction purchased for $499? Wouldn't the savings I realized also appreciate at the same rate in my IRA? I've owned reproductions that present the same look and feel and get the same "ewws" and "ahhs" from friends and family for years.
My "Nelson Bench" is still holding up my 100lb Plasma TV, my "Saarinen" Marble top table is still the pleasure of myself and others to both look at and eat on, the ebony finish is still on the base and the glass is still in one piece on my "Noguchi" coffee table.
My "Arco" lamp is still lighting my workspace as I write this-and I haven't so much as needed to change the bulb yet.
The combined money I saved by buying good quality reproductions (several thousand dollars by my estimate) is still in my bank earning me interest instead of paying some high salary corporate exec (these designers aren't around anymore).
It's a personal choice but I ask myself would most buyers really feel better knowing that 7% of their $8000 sofa went to the actual material/labor/advertising of a product, while the other 93% went to the licensee's yacht payment -- all for the sake of loyalty? And if the quantifiable differences between licensed and non-licensed products are marginal, (which in some instances, they probably are, not to mention the cases where the unlicensed versions trump the licensed versions), to what then does a buyer owe his loyalty? It's a fair question, at least in some cases.
Don't get me wrong, I sincerely appreciate their contribution but, nowadays I'm more concerned with whether the Phillips light bulb I buy will give me what I'm looking for at a price I like than whether Thomas Edison is still getting his share of proceeds.
Selling "unlicensed" reproductions off as "licensed".
I personally despise dishonest salespeople proportionate to the amount of damage their lies can do.
For example, if I buy a "widget" at an electronics store and the guy told me the batteries were included-and I get home and they're not-I'm pissed but I'll get over it, maybe even still buy from their store if it conveniences me.
However, if a doctor tells or leads me to believe to surgery will alleviate the pain in my knee and after the surgery, the limping and the rehab-it still hurts- then I REALLY feel betrayed angry and violated (sorry I'm getting a little of topic).
Point is that I personally don't condone any dishonesty in this industry.
Most of the people that I meet that have a mutual affinity towards MCM (mid-century modern), know all about the licensed and unlicensed reproductions.
Every customer I've ever dealt with knew they were buying a reproduction.
I suspect there are dealers who may be selling the fakes off as originals but, personally I think the line is pretty clear between the two.
In addition to the occasional dishonest dealer posing fakes as authentic there is the bigger issue of the unlicensed reproduction: Quality variation.
The variance of quality with the unlicensed reproduction is undoubtedly a subject of considerable concern since not all reproductions are created equal.
This is why the franchise principal is so successful- you always know what you're going to get even if it's a nutritionally void 2000 calorie burger or a ridiculously over-priced cup of coffee or, licensed modern furniture.
At least you know what you're gonna get and you can depend on that.
People like that.
When you buy a licensed reproduction-you know what you're gonna get- at least most of the time.
I've come to find that there are good reproductions and poor ones just as there are unscrupulous dealers and those with integrity and good decent knowledgeable service.
I have found reproductions of an "egg" chair that had its upholstery start to unglued itself.
Other items may be lopsided and something is skewed, the measurements are off, the material choices are poor quality, the steel rusts, the fabric tears, the plywood shows saw marks on the wood.
I have seen some that virtually unidentifiable from the original and will hold to that for many years to come.
In my opinion, it is of critical importance when considering a purchase of an unlicensed reproduction over licensed one is to carefully inspect personally (or by friend in the industry-not the salesman who calls himself your friend either) the quality of the stitching, the symmetry of the lines from 360 degrees, the quality of the steel, the materials used, the reputation of the dealer (you should always check the betterbusinessbureau.
com for complaints) to name a few.