My question is are the “antiques” on the walls of Red Robin and Hard Rock Cafe real or reproductions?
For example I saw an original “butchers doll” Beatles album on the wall at Hard Rock Cafe. I believe that these are quite rare and incredibly expensive.
It’s a mix. Some are real - the plows, Americana, tools and such are supplied by firms that scour the country, buying up such stuff. Think “American Pickers.” The really rare pieces are likely repros unless you are at a Hard Rock Café. Then it’s probably real, especially if it’s out of reach of the patrons.
Clearly related, but not a specific answer to the OP, I remember an article in Slate from a number of years back about Irish Pubs and their authenticity. Apparently there are a few companies, or were at that time, who could ship you an entire Irish Pub, not the building, but everything else. The furniture and the signs and all the other crap that fills out what an Irish Pub is supposed to look like. Sort of like ordering it out of a Sears Wishbook.
My bet is they are real. You might think that antiques are rare, difficult to find, and expensive, but that’s not actually the case, at least not necessarily. Many of these Americana items, for instance, were made and sold in large quantities in past decades, and many of these items still exist. Since they are not used for the purpose they were originally made for, there is a market for buying and selling them to collectors or companies like these. If you know where to look, they’re not really that hard to find, and not unaffordable either.
As for the high-profile things such as original Beatles items: These are, obviously, more valuable than the plain antiques, but even here there are more original items that fit such needs than one might think (consider all the thousands of guitars which notable musicians used over the deacdes in concerts, for instance). You’d have to fork over some money for them, sure, but I think places like Hard Rock Café are able and willing to invest to give their most prestigious locations that certain feel that their marketing is based on.
Reported for forum change
I read this as Sears Welshbook, whatever that means.
Back when I travelled the local estate sale circuit, I got to know someone that bought items strictly for restaurants and other designer outlets. I was able to make a little money selling stuff to her, mostly older pictures and posters. One of my finds currently hangs in a local Red Robin that opened a few years ago.
When I did restaurant remodel in the 90s, I would help them put up the stuff. Sirloin Stockade and Montana Mikes. The designer couple, a man and woman in their 50s, were very nice, so I chatted with them about the stuff. They bought it at yard sales, flea markets, Goodwill stores, etc… They would buys boxes of stuff at a time, working or not. Just a basic mix of junk.
Anecdotal, ymmv, just one data point, etc…
nm