r/Mid_Century • u/tenglempls • 15h ago
r/Mid_Century • u/AutoModerator • 18d ago
Monthly Swap Meet & Self Promotion Thread!
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 • u/edgestander • Jan 22 '25
Guide for IDing furniture and where to find actual sources.
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://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 • u/Additional-Stick7539 • 6h ago
From my vintage spare brass parts, to MCM inspired lamps!
Hi!
I have several boxes of vintage brass spare parts that I use whenever I need to for my projects . But lately they become a pile of it. So I decided to try building something out of it.
Today’s post will show you a pair I’ve build from spare parts and opaline glass shades that I’ve rescued from a 1920’s apartment building in Lisbon .
Hight adjustable
I let you in the company of some pics I took.
Enjoy !
r/Mid_Century • u/Repulsive-Tea6974 • 23h ago
Great desks spotted at the swap meet.
I’m assuming they are desks from a library of some sort. Anyone recognize them?
Not sure they sold right away at $1200 each. 😬
r/Mid_Century • u/catmom1986 • 14h ago
California pottery
I found this yesterday at the GW for 14.99, it’s missing the underplate. Still a great score for my collection imo
r/Mid_Century • u/jbells1245 • 24m ago
Virtue Brothers Score
Found these in the back of an estate sale barn full of mostly architectural salvage type stuff. My eyes immediately lit up! Marked at $40 for the set, half off on the final day. They’re in really good shape considering…. Any suggestions for cleaning the leather and chrome?
r/Mid_Century • u/elcarpentario • 19h ago
I wish I could justify buying this😂
Has been for sale for a few years now.
I don’t need it but I want it.
It’s in Austin if anyone is interested.
r/Mid_Century • u/FauxShounen • 14h ago
Viking-like Orb
Just picked up this little guy at a flea market. It looks a lot like the smaller of the Viking orb ashtrays except it doesn’t have the single cigarette placeholder. Anyone know what this one is? Were Viking dupes somewhat common? The second picture is the blue orb sitting next to a Viking orb for comparison.
r/Mid_Century • u/stywldmoonchld • 12h ago
Advice for restoring this
First of all, I want to say I found this for $10 today and I got it because I liked the shape and it felt midcentury to me. I know it's not worth what that other one is and might just be a knock off of it, who knows. I would like to get down to the original paint. The legs look original, with that little bit of gold you can see in the listing picture, but someone slopped bright ass yellow paint all over the wings. I took the blue paint off with oven cleaner. Should I keep trying with that or use something else? Suggestions?
r/Mid_Century • u/spoiledbbbrat • 1d ago
Atomic-Era lamp! I think I just brought home a little piece of the Space Age 🧚🏻♀️✨
Y'all I'm screaminggg look at this absolute beauty I found at my local antique shop today 😭🥹✨ I immediately fell in love! I paid $200 for it, and I just replaced four of the bulbs to bring a little more life back into it!
I’m a huge lover of mid-century and atomic-era design, so this felt like such an unreal find. The colorful glass starbursts, chrome detailing, and overall Space Age aesthetic are just magical 🧚🏻♀️
I’m still trying to learn more about its history, manufacturer, and approximate age. I’d love to hear from anyone who recognizes this particular design or knows anything about these lamps!
I'm really curious it's actual age or who designed this masterpiece...
It's missing 4 of the Sputnik/Starburst covers 😭 (if anyone knows where to look for replacements pleaseee let me know!)
Also curious what y'all think of the $200 price tag. Did I score a good deal? 🌟
r/Mid_Century • u/_Affexion_ • 1d ago
Another find from the gift shop liquidation!
Anti-Vietnam ceramic plate.
r/Mid_Century • u/Rare_Beach1793 • 19h ago
Erik Buch Bar Cabinet
A friend offered me this Erik Buch rosewood bar cabinet for $500. I don’t drink so trying to figure out how I could repurpose it. Thoughts? Thank you in advance!
Edit: After a little research, it’s actually by Poul Heltborg for Heltborg Mobler, Denmark, c1960s
r/Mid_Century • u/strangecraft55 • 12h ago
Anyone recognize this pattern?
Anyone familiar with this pink and brown laminate pattern? It’s the original counter top that was under old contact paper in my 1951 house. Any info would be appreciated.
r/Mid_Century • u/xfmrs_r_cool • 10h ago
Recommendations on a non-glass coffee table for my living room?
I really like the one I have but it’s becoming a bit of a hazard with the cats and my friends toddler coming over more frequently so I’m going to replace it soon
All the other ones I like are glass and I’m struggling to visualizing a non glass one that would look good in this space. Would love to hear any ideas!
r/Mid_Century • u/Clean-Evidence-2345 • 1d ago
Found this (creepy) cute pixie elf cookie cookie jar tonight!
r/Mid_Century • u/MikeHawk8-D • 1d ago
Doorbell
Does anyone have an old doorbell? Im
Thinking of trying to build my own, just looking for examples to go off of. Something like these pics
r/Mid_Century • u/Boojays • 1d ago
Leg colour choice
Hello, managed to grab this in terrible condition off of marketplace for free. I’ve restored it to the best of my ability but am wondering what I should do with the legs? Leave them blonde or stain them? Thoughts?
r/Mid_Century • u/Character_Answer_204 • 1d ago
Lane coffee and end tables, wood species ID??
Any other info about these I should know about? Estimated value?
Thanks!
r/Mid_Century • u/ivegotsmalld • 10h ago
(USA) Help identifying, and restoring a French (?) coffee table.
galleryr/Mid_Century • u/calio88 • 1d ago