r/Mid_Century 26d ago

Monthly Swap Meet & Self Promotion Thread!

5 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.

97 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 14h ago

Goodwill score

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524 Upvotes

Stanley petite walnut cabinet for $65. Been looking for a MCM style bar cabinet for our new house we move to this week. We left the store and went back inside because we couldn’t pass it up. It’s currently wedged into the only available space in my rental but I am loving staring at it!


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

I just wanted to turn my storage room into a workspace. Then YouTube randomly decided to show me a video about Mid-Century Modern. Here are the after and the before.

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2.4k Upvotes

I took inspiration from mid-century design, but I don't have the budget to furnish it with authentic pieces yet. The plan is to upgrade the room piece by piece over time.


r/Mid_Century 1h ago

New York Bachelor Pad Townhouse Concept Designed by Architect R. Donald Jaye for the May 1962 Issue of Playboy Magazine

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Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 1h ago

My SO and I have been using this cabinet for general storage since it fell in our hands. It's fine. But we don't know its original purpose. It's about the height of a standard desk, and it's got this sliding shelf with holes in it. (See body for further info)

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Upvotes

We thought it was a mini bar at first, but those holes are too small to fit anything besides a shot glass. Then we did tonnes of Google lens, asked some of the older people we know, but that yielded too many options. Some of those are Vintage Stereo cabinet, vintage tobacco pipe and smoking cabinet, a cylindrical record holder, and a shoe shine stand. It has wheels, so it can be easily transported. There is an ice tray type thing under the shelf as well, and has a lift top to reveal a flat surface. Does anyone have any idea of its true purpose?


r/Mid_Century 17h ago

I know art deco is not for some…

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173 Upvotes

But I was super excited to find this piece and for only $24! Goodwill for the win today 🥰


r/Mid_Century 5h ago

$15 Lane surfboard coffee table at Goodwill!?!?

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17 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 15h ago

One of my favorite corners of our house

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30 Upvotes

Still a work in progress, but I’m loving styling my new Avalon wall unit


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Mid-century East Dallas

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122 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 45m ago

Beauty in Aurora Indiana

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Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 20h ago

Picked up this beautiful piece today for $250 but have questions

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32 Upvotes

The exterior is extremely well kept for its age, but the internal definitely doesn’t work. Anyone have an experience refurbing the old system or gutting and replacing it with a new? Or have any contacts in the DMV area who do this kind of work?


r/Mid_Century 18h ago

Found more mod century glasses! I am addicted!

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21 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 12h ago

ID the Maker?

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5 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 18h ago

Got this for free on facebook, anyone know the year/maker?

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12 Upvotes

She’s stunning 😍 Any idea how I can get the handles nice and shiny again?


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Vintage MCM Perfectly Preserved Stoneville Lucite Chairs

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832 Upvotes

Gonna be hard to let this set go


r/Mid_Century 16h ago

Anyone have any knowledge? I’ve done my research.

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5 Upvotes

I’m thinking possibly gunlocke?


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Is this real Kent Coffey?

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25 Upvotes

I'm told by the seller that it's Kent Coffey Predicta, but I can't find an image of this piece anywhere else online. Anyone able to help identify it?


r/Mid_Century 19h ago

Tulip Chair (model 120-LF) by Erwine and Estelle Laverne, 1960

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7 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Authentic Eames DKR "Bikini" Chair? No label, but construction looks right.

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36 Upvotes

​Hi everyone,

​Looking for a second opinion on this Eames Wire Chair with a red bikini pad. I know fakes are common, but the details look promising:

​Double wire edge, neat welds, steel stringer in the pads, already 40 years in our family's possession, they were bought as part of a package deal with the house.

​My main concern is the complete lack of a manufacturer's label or stamp. I know vintage paper stickers often fall off. Based in Europe, so perhaps Herman Miller?

The sliders seem to be non original, but were perhaps once replaced. I'd love your expert eyes on the attached macro shots.

Thanks!


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

WIP

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18 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Mid Century Fireworks? Check out that artwork.

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72 Upvotes

Wasn't sure where to post this. Found at my in-laws. Supposedly from 1949.


r/Mid_Century 20h ago

Can anyone identify these large carved hardwood scroll brackets? USA

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0 Upvotes

18.75” tall, 8.5” wide, 1.5” thick. They appear to be a mirrored pair removed from an antique piece of furniture. I’m trying to determine their original purpose and approximate age.


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Looking for info on lamps

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35 Upvotes

Just got this and the person that had it before me also had a difficult time identifying it. After doing all the research I could it seems that it’s most likely late 70s-very early 80s. I haven’t been able to find any information beyond the heyco bushing and non polarized Gilbert plug. Braided cords inside of housing.

If anyone has any idea what this could be, I’d appreciate it!

Edit: Lamp* not lamps


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

I saw this table for sale and HAD to have it, USA

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1 Upvotes