On August 27, 2011; I went to the auction of Aristocrat Auction Services, LLC owned by John Peters at 1229 S. Broadway Denver, CO 80210. This auction was also live on the website (http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/25977/page1). They listed two "Original Eames 5-Ply Chair & Ottoman Set" Lots #140 and #159. Based on the description as "Original" and not "Eames Style" and the reputation of the auction house I felt that I could rely on their professionalism to believe these were in fact Original Eames.
At the preview of the items at the auction house, I also inquired on the chairs' history and authenticity I was told by an employee that these were indeed real Eames chairs and that they have properly researched this from the cosigners.
I knew from experience going to other auctions and estate sales, that sellers would list something as "Original" only if they knew for a fact it was to protect their business. When the true authenticity of an item is in question most honest auctioneers list the item as "in style of" or reproduction. Based on this, the listing by the auction house and assurance of the employee I bid on both sets, winning one for $900 and the other for $1100. I knew that these were really good deals based on what I have see Eames chairs sell at, I felt this was a good investment and that if ever I needed to I could easily sell them at these prices or higher.
As circumstances happened this is year found myself in financial situation where I needed to sell these. Starting in August of this year I posted these chairs on Craigslist, within hours I got six genuine replies of interested people based the fact I had listed them as Original Eames chairs and the prices. I spoke to each of these people and gave them more details and sent them more pictures detailing the ottoman and the underside of the chairs. Unfortunately I was quickly told by all of them, one included an owner of a mid-century furniture store that these were not real and that I had to take down the listing as soon as possible, because it was false advertising.
I was very disturbed by this, but did take down the listing and following the advice of one of the people who had been interested I contacted Peter Triestman of "Olek Lejbzon & Co" a furniture restoration business, the owner Peter has experience with Eames chairs (http://oleklejbzon.com/index.html) . I sent him pictures of my chairs and he got back to me and told me without a doubt these were not real but were Segal Lounge Chairs, old reproduction "Eames" Lounges from the 1960's. He also said that I might be able to hold the auction house accountable for their misrepresentation.
Even with this information I felt that perhaps the auction house was not aware of the misrepresentation and on 8/20/2012 I emailed Aristocrat Auction Services, LLC and asked them for information from the original owners or any documentation as to how it was determined these were original. I told them that if I could still prove these were original it will greatly help me sell them. I also said that while understood that I got these as is, I bid and purchased them based on the listing description which "original Eames".
On August 24, I got a reply from John Peters that he had contacted the consigner he said he thought they go to Nantucket during the summer months but would let me know as soon he heard from them. On September 24 not having heard back I emailed him asking him if he had any information, he told me he had not heard back, but asked me how much I would want for the chairs because he thought he had a buyer. I replayed right back and said that I appreciated that he found a buyer and that I only asked back exactly what I paid for them. On September 26 he emailed me and said he had proposed the price to buyer and would let me know. After that I have not heard back from him, I emailed and left messages and finally said that because of the situation it would be best if he were to purchase the chairs from me and than find a buyer or go after the cosigners as he though best. I still did not hear back from him. The last email I sent was on October 6 regarding my intention to go to small claims court, this was also not answered.
All during this time once a week I have kept posting the chairs on craigslist as vintage reproductions with the name of Segal and have not had one really interested buyer, this is a sharp contrast to the half dozen replies I got within an hour of posting them as originals. I also contacted several consignment and antique stores and none were interested in them because they were not original.. These reproductions have no value and no demand and I feel now that when they were listed as originals the auction house was well aware of this. read more
