Adrian M. Pearsall Certifications

Adrian Pearsall designed hundreds and manufactured thousands of collectible furniture pieces from 1950 through 1980. There were, and still are, other manufacturers who copied, modified, and sold similar designs that are easily mistaken for an original Adrian Pearsall design. Additionally, numerous online website furniture retailers regularly misidentify or attribute their listings to Adrian Pearsall. You can avoid disappointment by having the seller certify their listing attributed to Adrian Pearsall. Jim Pearsall is the best suited person to certify an Adrian Pearsall design. Please be aware that two websites, https://craftassociatesfurniture.com/ and https://www.adrianpearsallstore.com/ are not legitimate or authorized to certify any original Adrian Pearsall design.
Consider having an Adrian Pearsall Certification 
performed by A. James Pearsall


You are considering purchasing furniture that you have been told was designed by Adrian Pearsall or have been told it was manufactured by his company, Craft Associates or Comfort Designs. In this scenario, I would suggest that you ask the seller for certification. This extra step gives you peace of mind when making your purchase if your goal is to purchase a furniture item designed by Adrian Pearsall. If the submitted item is determined not to be an authentic Adrian Pearsall design, you can decline the purchase and keep looking. There are sellers such as online retailers, auction houses, and private owners who will market their furniture as “attributed” to Adrian Pearsall. You should submit photographs of those items for Adrian Pearsall Certification at your expense before making a purchase.
You may currently own a piece of furniture you believe is designed by Adrian Pearsall.  It has been in your family for years and you just want to know more about it. Maybe you would like to sell it? The certification process is fairly simple. My catalog collection contains almost 1,000 photographs of Adrian Pearsall’s designs and notes dating back to 1950. To certify a submission, I need to match your furniture to a photo in the catalog that proves you have that item. Additionally, I will supply you with a photocopy of the original catalog sheet(s), give you a time range of when it was manufactured, and any anecdotal information I have. I will also include a certification letter attesting to the authenticity of the submitted Adrian Pearsall design. If the submission does not meet the requirements for certification, I will attempt to identify its origin and point out the differences between the original and the submission. 

Valuation
Valuation is not part of the service. The goal of this service is to assist and protect the collector from fraudulent representation of furniture, artwork, and intellectual property for sale by individuals, manufacturers, designers, and dealers who claim to sell furniture designed, manufactured, or inspired by Adrian Pearsall.

Fees
Certification is $150 if I am able to certify your submission. If the items you submitted are not authentic, the fee is $75. There is no credit for submissions determined to be “not authentic.” No matter what the determination is, you will receive an approximately 160+ page word document of the history of Craft Associates inclding photographs, photocopies of retailer ads, links to online interviews and editorials, magazine publications featuring the mid-century home of the Adrian Pearsall home and much more.

Exceptions to fees
Adrian was famous for designing collections. Often, a catalog sheet would feature a sofa, a loveseat, and possibly a chair. You may own the sofa and the chair. You would be invoiced $150 as they are all included on the catalog sheet.

What to submit
The more photos that you submit, the better. At a minimum, I would like photographs taken from the front, back, left, and right sides and underneath. Close-up photographs are usually not very helpful, but you will be contacted if additional documentation is needed. Email your photos and any other information you feel would be useful such as how you acquired it, where it was purchased, what work you may have done to it etc. Generally speaking, the process will take less than a week. Send your email to pearsallcertification@gmail.com You will not receive a response if you send an email simply stating “Is this Adrian Pearsall?” 
If your submission(s) are determined to be authentic, you will receive a detailed report with a photograph(s) of the original catalog sheet, and an anecdotal history of when it was first introduced and any related pertinent information. A separate Certification Letter can be used if you ever decide to sell your furniture to assure the buyer you have an authentic Adrian Pearsall design. You will also receive a 165+ page pictorial and biographical history of Adrian Pearsall and the evolution of his designs. This report will include numerous links to online videos, biographies, purchasing advice, and much more.
 

The entire report will be delivered to your email with a link to a Dropbox folder. From there, you can view and print copies of all the documents. This folder will remain accessible to you for 180 days. After 180 days have expired, the folder will be deleted and are not recoverable.


Adrian James Pearsall Biography
(Jim) was the firstborn child of Adrian and Doris Pearsall. As a child, he would accompany his parents on visits to department store buyers and trade shows. As a teen, Jim spent his summers working in the Craft Associates factory and as an adult, Jim served as the South Florida and Bermuda manufacturer’s representative for Comfort Designs. When Adrian passed away in 2011, Jim already had a large catalog collection of Adrian’s designs and many memories, photographs, and clippings documenting Adrian Pearsall’s accomplishments. Jim uses this assortment of tools to determine the authenticity of the furniture you own or are considering purchasing. 

Testimonials

Dear Jim, Thank you so much for taking the time to look over my information and sending certification for the sofa. It is the little things that people do that really count. I appreciate that you are steering me in the right direction. Best, Marie

Thank you so much! I sent payment over via paypal - downloading and printing documentation now.

I still can't believe the clients I took photos for didn't want the chair. I reached out to tell them about it and surprisingly they told me to keep it and appreciate it - which I will. So wild, it was tucked in the corner of their basement and I loved the organic look of the chair - not to mention I always wanted something like it but I am in Wyoming and ordering furniture can be quite the gamble. My amazon account constantly shows me furniture with MCM characteristics and I've made the mistake of ordering a chair that was terribly uncomfortable and poorly made. Anyway I love it and will definitely take good care of it. Ironically, My grandfather was a woodcarver and I could always find him in his "studio" or better word for the basement. Some of my most prized belongings are the birds he made and a reclaimed pie safe. After all this - it makes me think it was my grandpa who gifted me with catching the beauty of this chair. Thank you for sharing all this with me and helping me authenticate the piece. Your father made beautiful work. -Best, Erika 12/20/22

Thank you so much, Jim- I am thrilled!  Your father was an American design icon and it’s been fascinating to learn more about him.  Our family is honored to have such a beautiful piece of his work. Best Regards, - Barbara Henris 10/18/2022

Wow, this is such exciting news, and I can't thank you enough for all of the information you provided along with the certificate. It really brings a whole new life to this piece that we already loved and adored. Thank you again-Destiny Swan 8/31/2022

James thank you so sooo very much I am literally in tears right now I’m so happy! You made my day, my year, my LIFE I’m so grateful for your help sir. I drove you crazy in the process.. I promise and swear on anything that’s holy to never ever bother you again. Just emails for verification, and that will be all. James Thank YOU!! Jeff -01/05/2021

This is wonderful! Thank you so much for verifying the authenticity of this piece and for the amazing documentation and backstory. I can't wait to get the restoration underway. I specialize in wood refinishing but I have an extremely talented upholsterer who will be assisting me with this project. I will certainly share the final result with you. (And then it will be my mission to find the 600-DS/Double Sleeper!)  - Lindsay Powell 01/04/2021
Hello James,
I wanted to thank you for your thorough review and the wealth of information you provided in response to our submission. We are grateful to know more than we ever imagined we could about our piece. Thank you once again for this service and for your dedication to your father's craft, I am appreciative of you! - All the Best, Amanda Johnston 02/09/2020
 
Very helpful - Thank you, sir.  I am very proud to be able to place one of your father's designs in my country home.  I've wanted this very sofa for nearly two decades when someone bought it up from underneath me at a little vintage shop I frequented.  How strange that I just happened upon it in a vacant store window about an hour away from my home, and the person who bought it those years ago was ready to let it go.   I'll pay the invoice whenever you send.  Thank you and God Bless. Thanks, Rachel 11/21/2019
Dear Jim,
I can't thank you enough!  I just paid the PayPal service.  Let me know if there is any problem.  If possible, icould send me a hard copy with your signature-that would be wonderful to have.  It would go to:  Alex Ishkanian 22 Vermont Drive Paramus, NJ  07652.  
You do wonderful work in honoring BOTH your parents.  I loved reading about your experience working with your dad and his company.  
As you said, I am lucky to have both these pieces and to have grown up with both of them!  My mom had great taste and I'm sure she is smiling down from heaven now.  I may be selling them but for the bit of time I have left with them, I'm certainly going to continue to enjoy them.  I always loved them! - Best, Alex 11/13/2018
Hi,
During a recent move, my Adrian Pearsall couch was damaged. The couch was given to me by my grandmother and I have been in an exhaustive search to identify the couch model number as the mover's insurance company is not willing to pay for the damages unless I certify the authenticity of the couch. Are you still authenticating the couches? -Regards, Julian Spector 10/16/2017

Dear Jim,
I am thrilled to hear from you! You must have amazing memories of your creative father. Yes, please go ahead and "certify" if you are able. I would be glad to provide provide a check or credit card if that would be more convenient.
I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to find a loving home for your father's beautiful creations.
Looking forward to hearing from you, and with many thanks, - Halyna 05/03/2016