Vintage Large Lladró First Date #1393 Limited Edition Young Couple with Car Auto For Sale

Large vintage Lladró glazed porcelain sculpture titled 'First Date', also cataloged as 'Young Couple with Car' and 'Coche en Primavera'. Designed by Salvador Debón and decorated by J. Ruiz. Elaborate 1982 composition depicts a young couple with an early touring car, birds, and dense foliage. Lladró reference 01001393, commonly shortened to #1393, issued in a limited edition of 1,500.

For your consideration in beautiful condition, number 109/1500 signed Salvador Debón and J. Ruiz. The sculpture rests on its original fitted wood display base. It has remained in the same family since new or very shortly thereafter. No original carton, certificate, or other paperwork is included. Approximately 22 inches long and 16 inches tall. Total weight is approximately 35 pounds.

• Complete, with no missing figures, birds, foliage, automobile fittings, or other applied details observed.
• One fine hairline measuring approximately 1/2 inch is present in the woman's skirt immediately beneath the waist ruffle. It is largely concealed by the overhanging blouse and is noted in photograph.
• The gentleman and the woman's upper body are separately manufactured elements originally secured during factory assembly and the heaviest applied parts. After 44 years, the original adhesive became brittle and the factory application separated. Both elements were carefully re-seated using high-clarity Hxtal epoxy and allowed a seven-day cure. Both figures are now firmly secured. (Please look up Hxtal if unfamiliar, there is no substitute.)
• The birds, hood ornament, and gentleman's hat are factory-applied elements. Small amounts of aged amber-colored factory adhesive remain visible at some attachment points, consistent in color and placement with other examples of this model. This is original and visible on any production version of this piece, documented in many examples.. All other elements checked for sturdy application and pass.
• The sculpture was carefully examined under ultraviolet illumination. No additional cracks or suspect adhesive were observed.
• The fitted wood base has a few very slight surface rubs, one tiny impact mark without appreciable finish loss, and slight wear on its upper surface beneath the porcelain from past shifting.
• Fully cleaned and carefully dusted, with a clean, fingerprint-free, display-ready presentation.
• No original carton, certificate, or paperwork. The original protective bag for the wood display base is included.

Free local delivery is available within 10 miles of downtown Denver.

This sculpture will ship by freight in a purpose-built wooden crate with redundant internal cushioning, and stabilization. Freight shipping is available within the contiguous United States only.

A flat shipping charge of $250 includes residential delivery and liftgate service when required. Delivery to a commercial address equipped with a loading dock or forklift can cost less; any applicable difference will be refunded after the final freight charge is established.

• Shipment will be fully insured, with tracking or freight documentation provided.
• Please allow 3-5 business days for crate construction, preparation, and carrier pickup. Delivery to from there can take 3-10 business days. (Generally things move quickly, but we quote conservatively.)
• Buyers requiring restricted-access, appointment-only, inside, remote-area, or other unusual delivery services must make arrangements before purchase.
• The seller reserves the right to cancel an order when suitable delivery cannot reasonably be arranged. If you have questions about delivery please message us prior to purchase, happy to answer questions, we have shipped many heavy and many fragile items.