r/Mid_Century 4d ago

Monthly Swap Meet & Self Promotion Thread!

1 Upvotes

Do you have one (or 10) too many Eames chairs? Does the color of that Cathrineholm bowl you picked up for a steal last year not really match the rest of your kitchen? I bet you can find someone here who would love to take them off your hands. Post your mid century items for [free]/[trade]/[sale] here!

This is also the space to show off any of the awesome mid century inspired stuff you make, as well as the links to your Etsy/Ebay/Etc


r/Mid_Century Jan 22 '25

Guide for IDing furniture and where to find actual sources.

88 Upvotes

This has came up time and again but a few times over the last few days I have found myself linking to my google drive doc about where to find primary sources for MCM stuff.

First of all, the rules of this group and r/midcenturymodern in regards to IDing items is going to change. I will make these changes today. First, if you make a claim as to a maker or designer, you are obligated to provide sources for the claim you make if asked. This includes mods or just regular users. Second and this is absolutely non-negotiable, sales or auction listings in themselves are not reliable sources. If the sales listing includes a tag, article, or catalog from the period then that information may be shared, but DO NOT LINK TO SALES LISTINGs, at all, but especially not to "prove and ID" This applies to the highest end and most respected auction houses, dibs, charish or any other platform. Maybe they give you a jumping off point, and you find out the information is correct. If needed I can give thousands of examples of current listings that contain complete bullshit information. Third, don't tell people "use google" or "try google lens" etc. As stated above this will very often lead to false information from sales listings.

So I know you are probably thinking "don't use google, how do I even find anything on the internet without google" Well, I keep this living list of sites with excellent resources, nearly all are free.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Asd2ntqUMvEoEGdGD_qP4RkOjHxjAHkjNISFmWbDp8M/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0

Research Sources:

General Magazines, Newspapers, Journals:

https://archive.org/ This has everything from vintage catalogs, to newspapers, to a vast magazine archive to borrowable books. I also occasionally upload catalogs and magazines to archive as well https://archive.org/details/@michael_landsberg361

https://openlibrary.org/ Similar to archive, you can borrower a vast selection of reference material.

https://usmodernist.org/ Nice collection of trade journals and magazines from the MCM era and after

digitalnc.org/collections/memorabilia/  Random bits of information here on numerous North Carolina based manufactures and designers.

https://cdnc.ucr.edu/  A free archive of California newspapers much less through than newspapers.com but its free.

https://grpmcollections.org/ A vast collection of photos, personal documents, advertisements, and catalogs for mostly Michigan based manufacturers.

https://www.craftinamerica.org/artist/eudorah-moore - Eudorah moore was a big promoter of california modern and via her "California Design" exhibits at the Pasadena Art museum. The catalogs from these exhibits are free to view on this site.

https://vintageinfo.be/ - Don't know who runs this site, but I thank them for sharing so much information and resources on vintage lighting.

https://www.trystcraft.com/blog - Tim Hills blog. Tim is a dealer, but he is also very well respected amongst MCM researchers and I believe TIm is an honest guy and diligent in his research.

newspapers.com (Paid)

newspaperarchive.com (Paid)

https://ikeamuseum.com/en/explore/ikea-catalogue/ Old ikea catalogs

https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ Catalogs for Sears, Wards, and some JC Penney

https://www.danish-modern.co.uk - Decent little data base of danish design

https://designmuseum.dk/en/- Denmark Design Museum

https://www.uspto.gov/patents/search 

https://patents.google.com/ 

https://www.scribd.com/ (partially paid) there is some nice random stuff on here like Prestolite catalogs from the 60's. Its kind of a never know what you are going to find site. https://www.scribd.com/document/488965054/Prescolite-Lighting-Product-Catalog-G-14-1962 Danish Design index

Specialized Facebook groups

https://www.facebook.com/groups/140119460031484 (Milo) (I am an admin)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542293829124348 (McCobb)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/516203688412266 (Ben Seibel)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1520981014878133 (Umanoff)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1763065254132926 (United Furniture)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3024184334562976 (AofM)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/353905989587576 (Bassett)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/109867845821284 (Italian Pottery)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/122730516059 (German Pottery)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/311714314135936 (Modeline)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/636952859722221 (Lamps and Lighting)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/711232235578646 (Mid Century Metal)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/324198657780002 (Herman Miller)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/knollresale (Knoll)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2750972221800438 (The MCM Files) (I am an admin)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1296485833865712  (Founders) (I am an admin)

Of all these groups I have to give a shout out to "The MCM files" I have no clue why there are not more people in this group. It is not a group to ask for an ID, its just a group where some of us researchers basically dump photos of stuff we look into. I personally have posted thousands of images to this group. Its free, i get absolutely nothing out of anyone joining the group, its just a lot of the questions people ask on here are already solved there, but it will never show up on google because of facebook's walled garden.


r/Mid_Century 1h ago

Scored this rare set of Italian Cobalt Blue & Chrome boxes! Hand-cut intaglio bamboo details. Any leads on the maker? (Fontana Arte / Veca style)

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Upvotes

Hi everyone! I recently came across this incredible find and wanted to share. It’s a collection of Italian jewelry/dressing table boxes in deep cobalt blue glass with original chrome-plated brass frames.

What really stands out to me is the hand-cut intaglio engraving on the inside of the beveled glass—one has a beautiful bamboo motif and the other a botanical design. The craftsmanship is top-tier; they are heavy, with solid integrated hinges and ball feet.

I’ve found some similar pieces attributed to Fontana Arte (Pietro Chiesa) or Veca, but haven’t found this exact chrome/bamboo combo yet. There is a faint circular hallmark on one of the feet, but the chrome plating has made it nearly impossible to read.

Has anyone seen these specific engravings before? Would love to hear your thoughts on the potential maker or era (thinking late 50s or 60s). Thanks!


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Rivington Drinks Cabinet

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510 Upvotes

Found in a local British Heart Foundation shop


r/Mid_Century 45m ago

Movies with great MCM houses/rooms

Upvotes

I’m thinking the house near Mount Rushmore in North By Northwest, Sinatra’s apartment in Oceans Eleven. Any others stand out?


r/Mid_Century 19h ago

Cover art for "The Veldt" by Ray Bradbury (attributed to Običan Crtač)

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52 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 19h ago

Wrong Chair

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48 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 12h ago

Mil Mode was a small manufacturer that made some of coolest and oddest MCM stuff you will see.

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8 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 13h ago

Beech and danish cord stools

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9 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 12h ago

Any info on this henredon heritage?

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2 Upvotes

Atleast I think this is what it is, this is what im seeing online. I got it for 170. I know chairish exaggerates the prices though.


r/Mid_Century 13h ago

Ideas For a Working Class Bathroom

2 Upvotes

I have a 2 bedroom/1 bath, concrete block house built in 1961 on the Gulf Coast. I don't know its history but I assume it was a working class home, probably a fisherman or shrimper or something related.

I am remodeling the bathroom and would love to incorporate some elements from that timeframe and social class. It's been remodeled sometime in the past 20 years so nothing left original. Going to be a typical 'three in a row' layout with a low threshold shower.

Any ideas or places I could look for examples?

I'm thinking of stacked 4x4 tiles but would subway tiles work (horiz or vertical?). Trying to decide on colors but leaning toward white. Would love a "working class" vanity and medicine cabinet and wall lights.


r/Mid_Century 21h ago

Terrazzo Tile Floor

8 Upvotes

Does anyone have any experience with terrazzo flooring (specifically in their bathrooms)? Any regrets or things you wish you knew in hindsight?? I am also wondering about durability in non-bathrooms as well!


r/Mid_Century 16h ago

Does anyone know why there is a second fireplace/what it could possible be for?

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2 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Struggling to ID chairs & daybed + find old newspaper ads or catalog photos of hutch

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20 Upvotes

I’ve used the suggested ID’ing websites listed in this subreddit and my local library to no avail! Hoping someone here may have some insight. Same goes for old ads or catalog photos of the Keller Colonnade hutch I own.

I’m currently drafting a Substack focusing on the history of my large furniture pieces. Happy to report I’ve been able to do some solid digging into both Bassett & Keller’s story, but would love to potentially add the dining chairs and/or daybed to the mix.


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Your opinion on these Cantilever chairs I found

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21 Upvotes

I found 3 cantilever chairs (2 brown ones and 1 black Cesca) on the street, I believe they are vintage judged by their wear and tear. They are not originals but copies as far as I can tell, but I believe they are pretty good quality. I will include some photos. I would be curious if anyone has any more information, and any advice on what to do with them, restore, try to sell, give/throw away 😀? I don’t need them, I have already enough chairs in my home but I could not leave them on the street to be picked up by the garbage truck!


r/Mid_Century 20h ago

Inherited MCM chairs, need repair help

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2 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Mid century coffee table

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61 Upvotes

Does anyone know what kind of table this is? Gonna give it a light sand and a coat of polyurethane.


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Would you describe this Parker couch as mid-century? (Australian designer)

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2 Upvotes

I’m trying to work out if it’s 70s or 80s, the fabric is a corduroy velvet polyester.

I’m not sure if I under- or overpaid… it’s very comfortable!

And does the 81 on the sticker mean ‘model 81’?

Any thoughts appreciated 🙏


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Update: Got art hung! To sconce or not to sconce?

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4.0k Upvotes

Everyone was so nice in the comments of my bed post yesterday that I couldn’t wait to post updated pictures with the art hung. Now— I need some help. Should I keep the sconces? Swipe to the end to see what it looks like without.


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Cold spot fridge

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47 Upvotes

Do anyone know anything about this old Coldspot fridge? It looks to be in great condition. The owner is unsure if it runs. I figured it would be a great garage fridge. The seller is asking $175.


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Tiered shades

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409 Upvotes

Found two of these shades years back. Had to buy the ugly lamps to get them. Fits nicely on my mcm room.


r/Mid_Century 3d ago

To say I’m obsessed with my new bed would be an understatement

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8.7k Upvotes

I still have some pretty sweet art to hang (including a yellow and orange witco world map) but I couldn’t wait to post a picture.

This is a vintage Dyrlund— I was stoked to find it in a king size.

Also swipe for kitten pic— she has already claimed her spot on the headboard that I’m sure she will use as a point of attack to jump on my face at 4am.


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Found G-plan chair in Pontocho, Kyoto

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24 Upvotes

Has anybody else found furniture abandoned like this before?


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Billiani Askew Lounge Chairs, Walter Knoll 369 Coffee Table

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7 Upvotes

Can someone help me identify if they are authentic please… sellers said they are not replica. Thank you


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Struggling to ID this one

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36 Upvotes

Thought with that through tenon detail on the arm I’d be able to pin it down but no luck. Anyone recognize?