Echoes of Old Hollywood Furniture to the Stars
 In the early 60’s, Charles Pollock opened his first antique store on Robertson Boulevard, which at the time was known as “Decorator’s Row.” With his business blossoming, he eventually set out to find a bigger and better location. One day he happened upon a small street, just off La Cienega Boulevard and north of Melrose Avenue, where he spotted what was then a vacant ice cream factory. After leasing the space, he ripped out the front walls and replaced them with large glass windows, turning what was a run-down factory into his wonderful and charming antique and antique reproduction furniture store. It was the first store of its kind on the street, which is now known as “Melrose Place,” one of Los Angeles’ most sought out locations. Charles Pollock unknowingly launched a trend that would establish the area as one of the great havens for some of the most famous antique and antique reproduction companies on the West Coast.
Mr. Pollock, whose experience in the industry spans almost five decades, personally hand selected distinctive period antiques from which he modeled his reproduction line. His philosophy about reproductions, born from classic design, is that they “be reproductions,” not “imitations of the originals.” Details are exaggerated, proportions modified, resulting in a less rigid, less stern adaptation that is perfectly orchestrated to enhance its surroundings.
 While running his shop, Charles Pollock continued to accept interior design projects for some of Hollywood’s most celebrated stars. Between his interior design work and his antique reproduction business, his client list reads like the credits from a Hollywood feature film. He had the esteem pleasure of knowing and working with some of the world’s leading designers and their legendary clients, such as Marian Davies, Lee Marvin, Paul Newman, Jack Lemmon, Henry Fonda and Arnold Schwarzenegger, to name just a few. Charles was also very well acquainted and good friends with the amazing Mae West and Bette Davis. Ms. Davis at one time posed in an advertisement, for both the antique and antique reproduction business, which was featured in a popular trade publication.
At the wonderful age of eighty, Charles decided to retire from the business, so he sought out a buyer who had integrity and to whom he could entrust his legacy. This man was William Switzer of William Switzer & Associates. Charles had known William Switzer for many years, as their two companies had often shared space at other multi-line showrooms across the country.
 In July of 1999, William Switzer & Associates, Ltd. purchased Charles Pollock Reproductions, which is now headed by Todd Cook. Mr. Cook, formerly of Intradesign and James Northcutt Associates, had known Charles Pollock for over fifteen years, before becoming General Manager of Charles Pollock Reproductions in November of 1997. When William Switzer & Associates purchased the company, they left it in Todd’s capable hands.
Since then, Mr. Cook has introduced more than one-hundred new pieces to the Pollock collection, and has continued to adhere to the standards and sentiments echoed by Charles Pollock upon his retirement. “It is essential to keep the original integrity of the piece, but to also accommodate the needs of today. In addition, I cannot put pieces on the market that are ordinary; they must be interesting and have character. Our line must remain eclectic enough to interest many tastes.”
Picture shown from top - Mr. Charles Pollock, Ms. Bette Davis, Mr. Todd Cook |
