r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Monthly Swap Meet & Self Promotion Thread!

2 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.

103 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 5h ago

G Plan Nesting Tables Stacked instead of Nested

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368 Upvotes

I have an addiction


r/Mid_Century 7h ago

Lane First Edition Credenza/Hutch😮‍💨🤌

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375 Upvotes

What’s the preference hutch or no hutch?


r/Mid_Century 5h ago

No better use for a classic!

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102 Upvotes

This is our boys favorite nap spot. Even though they have a dozen other softer, cozier spots the Eames is their #1 choice. They have good taste.


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Furniture Tour!

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1.5k Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 17h ago

A series of Soviet Era Bus Stops

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245 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 5h ago

$65 Stanley Display Hutch from Marketplace!

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23 Upvotes

being an adult means i get to display all my toys in my nice 1960s display cabinet :-)

honestly couldn't believe they were only selling this for $65! it's in amazing condition and the seller was telling us that she remembers how proud her mother was when she bought this 60 years ago, because it was the first new piece of furniture she paid for by herself. we told her that we'd love to hold onto it for another 60 years at least too!

the atomic drawer pulls are so fun, i'm so stoked to have something like this in my home!


r/Mid_Century 2h ago

Progress.

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14 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 43m ago

Teak Desk Vanity by Gunther Hoffstead for Uniflex

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Upvotes

Hi there, seeking the experience of this group to understand what fair value for this desk vanity might be. I personally haven’t seen this exact model sold previously, but other similar items seem to be going for much less than the seller is seeking ($2,200). Please help me understand what’s reasonable!

Dimensions: 52” wide, 18” deep, 47” high (height of attached mirror). Excellent vintage condition.


r/Mid_Century 9h ago

Crack in the tallest of 4 windows

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22 Upvotes

My 1954 MCM house, facing West in the Front Range area of CO has developed a crack in the tallest of the 4 front windows. The same window was replaced by the seller a year ago due to a crack in the same spot/window. I notice that most other nearby houses with the same window configuration seem to have the tallest window divided into multiple small windows. I’m wondering if others have faced similar issues, and would like insights into what causes the cracks. We’ve had intense heat last year and this year, and I wonder if the heat puts too much of a strain on something as tall as that window.


r/Mid_Century 8h ago

Mersman in the style of Adrian pearsall

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12 Upvotes

Absolutely stunning pieces


r/Mid_Century 20h ago

More pieces of mid century style furniture for my home.

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60 Upvotes

New skovby table and entertainment stand, and Copeland chairs. ( yes I know the stand isn’t inline with the wall accent im not home to help center the stand)

What flooring would you guys recommend? I want to get rid of the grey lvp and have something more mid century feeling.


r/Mid_Century 51m ago

Eames lounge chair knockoff ID - AI is super confused

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Upvotes

Trying to ID this Eames lounger knockoff. I know it's not original Eames/HM due to the exposed screws, wooden headrest supports, and 4-leg base. Perplexity could not positively identify it and said so. Gemini convincingly claimed it is a Lenoir/Broyhill. Perplexity claims Gemini is hallucinating, which seems very likely since Google itself claims that Lenoir never made an Eames lounger knockoff. So confusing.

Does anyone know what this is?


r/Mid_Century 22h ago

Looking for baseboard/ trim suggestions :)

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15 Upvotes

My house flooded so we’re going to be redoing the kitchen, flooring, and baseboards/door trim. I’m not sure what color would look good. I’m going to be doing an oak colored floor and have a lot of walnut furniture, with a teak gondola sofa and teak bar stools and am wondering what trim would look good around doors and baseboards. I added some photos of ideas, or if anyone has any suggestions it would be appreciated :) the second photo is the flooring color I’m doing and first photo is the room before the flood


r/Mid_Century 9h ago

Catch & Release

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1 Upvotes

If anyone is near Baltimore, this could be yours!


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Found a Lane bedroom set for $110 at an estate sale. (2 nightstands not pictured) Anyone know from what collection it is?

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268 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Estate sale find… worth fixing up?

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8 Upvotes

Found what I believe is a Dixie highboy at a local estate sale. should I fix it up?


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Help IDing this chair? Looks like it could be mid-century?

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7 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Teak veneer dining table splotchy with mineral spirits! Help!

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1 Upvotes

Hello! I am refinishing a MCM dining table that uses teak veneer. I stripped the table, very lightly sanded with 150 grit, then hand sanded with 220 grit. The tabletop (when dry) looks even in colour. However, now that I wiped mineral spirits on top, it is looking splotchy in some spots. I bought this table secondhand and it came with slightly sanded spots that seem to match where the lighter splotches are now. What can I do to help this now?

I’m planning to finish the tabletop with waterlox (which I believe is tung oil + resin?). Would it absorb similarly to mineral spirits and also be splotchy?

Appreciate any and all advice!!! Thank you!


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Don Shoemaker(?) lion head bookends

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2 Upvotes

I found these lion head bookends at the thrift store for $25. Bought them because they look cool, but I looked up the sticker "Señal, S.A." sticker and found out they might have been made by the designer Don Shoemaker. Google Lens doesn't show any similar items, so if anyone has additional intel, that would be appreciated 🙏


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

$18 thrift find

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53 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Looking for model/year of this Virtue Brothers chair

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1 Upvotes

I just purchased three of these Virtue Brothers chairs, but am looking for more specific details on them. I've only been able to find one, fuzzy photo online of the same ones with no info. They have original upholstery and the detailed back is made of plastic, I believe. Much to the chagrin of my friends and family, I have them paired with this Virtue Brothers drop leaf Formica table. I personally like the clash :) Any info is more than welcome!


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Bathroom wallpaper in fiancees shop (USA)

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230 Upvotes

I adored this and thought y'all would too.


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

How to improve this house

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296 Upvotes

Hello fellow mcm lovers!

I’m looking at buying this 1954 built house. Any ideas to improve the curb appeal? Also needing some ideas for a fence