Emil J. Paidar Barber Chairs

As of this writing, an eBay search of Emil J. Paidar would yield several vintage barber chairs and their parts. The chairs would sell anywhere from $400 for an "as-is" condition to more than $2000 for a fully restored and functional one. The listing on there is a testament of the brand's quality and design that's worthy of a collector's real estate and investment.

The Emil J. Paidar Company was based in Chicago, and it manufactured barber chairs from the early 20th century until the 70's. At one point in the company's existence, it was the nation's top manufacturer. It also made several other barber supplies that are both elegant and consistent with the brand. Among others, they include wall fixtures, barber poles, manicure tables, work cabinets and shoe shining stands.

In the 1930's, the company struggled to grow due to the country's economic situation. No matter how hard the times were, it managed to survive and eventually prosper. World War II helped Emil J. Paidar raise revenue through large incoming orders of cartridge cases as well as other war supplies. It became the biggest barber chair manufacturer in the late 1950's with a seventy percent share of the market.

The late 50's was also the time that the newcomer, Takara Belmont Company entered the US market. Since this competitor was based in Japan, it had the advantage of outsourcing less costly parts. It allegedly made barber chairs similar to that of Emil J. Paidar at a significantly lower price point. Intense competition wasn't beneficial at all to the leading manufacturer. Aside from the changing times, it was difficult for the business to keep loyal customers. With a cheaper price and rather similar features, it simply didn't make sense to purchase the more expensive brand.

In 1969, Emil J. Paidar saw its inevitable downfall with Takara Belmont's purchase of Koken Barber's Supply Company, the second largest manufacturer before Takara Belmont's arrival. Subsequently, its market share dwindled. It eventually went out of business, leaving the Japanese company the leading manufacturer until today.

Source: http://www.antiquebarberchairs.net/remembering-emil-j-paidar/

Collecting Antique Barber Chairs

Collecting antiques is both a fun and fulfilling experience. You don't just learn about the rich history of the piece, you get the chance to preserve its essence too.

Antique barber chairs are huge, heavy and delicate collectibles. Special care must be taken in order to maintain their condition. However, a fully restored piece can sell for thousands of dollars. It's definitely worth keeping and maintaining one.

As with any antique piece, condition is everything with antique barber chairs. It doesn't necessarily have to be very pristine. However, it needs to be working. It's kinda pointless to own without having to even sit on it.

There is not so much information available on antique barber chairs online. Owner's manuals are also hard to come by. In most cases, you're on your own if you want to restore a piece that's not in good condition. There are also a handful of antique restorers that will do it for you for a fee.

One step that's always a must when restoring any antique item is taking photos before and during disassembly. Since there is no owner's manual for this kind of work, the photos will serve as a reference guide as to where the parts go. Without the photos, it will be like assembling a puzzle without even knowing how it will look like in the end. It doesn't just wastes your time, it's stressful as well. So once again, have a point and shoot camera ready prior to dismantling the piece.

Valuing these antique heavyweights depends on several factors. Aside from the condition, the brand or manufacturer is also significant. Koken, Kochs, Emil J. Paidar, Belmont and Louis Hanson each have their own distinctive qualities. Kokens in particular, are the first to incorporate hydraulic lifts. Because of this, they are very popular among collectors and are pricey as well. Early models of Kochs barber chairs were made of wood, so very few survived the test of time. The one's that are in good condition are mostly displayed in museums. The remaining models being sold in auction houses can command a higher price.

There are several online discussion forums and blogs dedicated to antique barber chairs. All these can give you information about the collection you already possess or are trying to acquire. Sometimes, you'll find individuals who share the same interests. Exchanging ideas with them can prove to be a worthwhile activity.