MCM drapes! What do you think?

[bugsyjones]

Hey kids,

I was haunting my favorite antique store yesterday. I go there mainly for the two booths that sell Mid Century stuff. MCM seems really popular because it seems the booths are always changing. Some of the prices can get ridiculous, but people pay it, I guess.

Anyway, I was on the second floor where the 'not-so-good' items and large items are kept. Things like brass beds, 70's console tv's and other Estate leftovers.

I unexpectedly ran across a set of MCM drapes! I was looking around and they were laying balled up on a chair. I immediately ran to them and looked! The were gorgeous! White with blue areas with silver starbursts! Made from some sort of 'fiberglassy' material. Weaved looking. Completely atomic. They were all in good shape too. Not stained or discolored. There was evidence they were hanging in a window because the pleated tops were dusty.

Anyway, I thought they were asking too much for old drapes. They want $160 firm. I think it's a bit too much. Ideally, a good price would have been under $100.

The question is, for those of you who know about MCM or are dealers, is this a good asking price? I know it's an antique store and everything is inflated, but I'm seriously considering them. Really, they were the most beautiful drapes and I want them bad. But I don't want to get taken for a ride. What's a typical price range for these types of drapes?

Here's a picture of a SIMILAR drape, but I think the others look better. The others don't have any green in them. Just white, blue and silver.

~Tim

 

[bugsyjones]

Oops!

I forgot to mention there were six identical panels.

 

[hooverwheelaway]

Barkcloth!

If they were in good shape, I'd say that's probably a pretty fair price. Lots of panels of vintage matching barkcloth, especially in a good condition, aren't the easiest things to find.

If you like the pattern, and can use them, you should go back and get them if you're able to swing it. You probably won't regret it.

I have a friend who has a good selection of barkcloth, and from what I've seen when I've been along with him on a few purchaese, your dealer's pricing seems about fair. You could always try the stock "10% off" thing. Maybe they'll swing for that.

 

[petek]

If I saw those in 170 x 86 which would fit my front window I'd grab em. BTW they probably are Fiberglas drapes. There are new repro materials online and at larger fabric stores but they're quite expensive and then figure in the cost of having them turned into drapes if you don't have a friend or relative who is adept at making drapes, another fortune. You could easily spend $1500-$2000 or much more having them custom made

 

[xraytech]

Tim,

That looks like a very nice pattern for draperies.

I dont know if the material is bark cloth or fiberglass, as fiberglass draperies were popular at the time. I paid $80 for 4 panels of bark cloth draperies, and lucked out on my fiberglass drapes finding them in my grams attic.
Anyways I think the price for the 6 matching panels seems fairly reasonable, though I'd try to knock a little off the price. It is very hard to find multiple pairs of matching vintage drapes

 

[weed30]

grab them!

That's a very decent price for SIX panels in good condition! it is very hard to find more than 4 panels, and if they're also long...well, you've really lucked out.

I paid $200 for mine...awaiting their arrival with great anticipation!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55532522/gorgeous-mid-century-curtains-set-of-6