r/Mid_Century • u/KeystoneLaw • 10h ago
My MCM Office
Some wonderful vintage pieces from my local, wonderful MCM store, with a rug and couch from IKEA.
Now a need a good MCM chair for my desk. . .
r/Mid_Century • u/AutoModerator • 27d ago
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
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/KeystoneLaw • 10h ago
Some wonderful vintage pieces from my local, wonderful MCM store, with a rug and couch from IKEA.
Now a need a good MCM chair for my desk. . .
r/Mid_Century • u/TemuTurbo • 7h ago
I’m glad to have the chance at owning these two pieces by Lane! I’d like to return them as close to original as possible
r/Mid_Century • u/thatnwlife • 15h ago
r/Mid_Century • u/Hendrix1967 • 1d ago
Ok. So I picked this up for 100$ and I’m happy with it, but I know this isn’t a cabinet for lp storage. The dimensions are off, the access is great but there are channel on the inside that don’t line up as a storage for records. Also, the dropdown shelf serves no purpose as an lp cabinet. The legs are unlacquered bronze.What is this thing??
Edit: Upon further inspection, it has two areas on either side with channels that would form a box. Also, there are holes in that same spot that indicate that something was held there by screws and that whatever it was, caused wear patterns.
It’s too low for a desk, it’s too short for accommodating liquor bottles.
It’s staying as an LP Storage unit.
r/Mid_Century • u/Uinovator1974 • 3h ago
r/Mid_Century • u/Brief-Ranger645 • 17h ago
Found at a goodwill and it looks like it could be. But I have no idea and honestly it’s just a cool lamp so plan on keeping it versus flipping it. Any help identifying is much appreciated!
r/Mid_Century • u/Arigirasisland • 11h ago
I’m working on restoring these two chairs and I can’t find any pictures so as to keep the upholstery authentic looking. I know the back had a welt around it. It was done in two pieces, but I’m not sure about the base.
r/Mid_Century • u/Uinovator1974 • 5h ago
r/Mid_Century • u/Hevans_777 • 21h ago
Hello All!
I’m not sure if this is the proper sub to ask about this, but here goes- I’m considering purchasing this really cool 70’s modular sofa on marketplace.
I’m trying to identify it, but can’t find anything on it- any ideas? The seller said there is an additional corner piece not pictured. Thanks for any and all help!
r/Mid_Century • u/BaconMacandCheese • 1d ago
Hi everyone,
I’m trying to purchase a pre owned Noguchi coffee table with walnut bottom.
Could anyone be kind enough to potentially authenticate the piece? From the early 2000s. No Noguchi etching or other HM sticker/branding.
Seller confirmed 3/4 inch glass weighing 120 pounds.
I can get additional pictures but will go see it in person as well. Anything I should be looking for specifically?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
r/Mid_Century • u/GoldFrameUnderGlass • 21h ago
I don't want to refinish the piece, but I would like to fix, disguise, or refresh a few minor blemishes on the top. Is there a specific product or technique anyone could recommend? I don't want to damage the veneer with the wrong product. Thanks!
r/Mid_Century • u/HotToddy375 • 1d ago
r/Mid_Century • u/followups • 2d ago
Needs a little makeup removal. And my Uber driver was pissed at me, but I finally found one in the wild on the curb!
r/Mid_Century • u/crishbw • 1d ago
Wondering if it's worth it to rent a truck to take home or if best to re give it back to the auction if it's a replica. Thanks in advance!
r/Mid_Century • u/Tumped • 2d ago
Nabbed this tension pole lamp for $25 this morning and as I was handing the cash over she asked if I wanted to walk through the house to see if there was anything else I wanted!! Turns out her Uncle had recently passed and she was in charge of cleaning out his property. Grabbed this set of statues…they called to me but I have no idea what they’re meant to depict. I think maybe Bali dancers? Any ideas?
r/Mid_Century • u/tvdor • 1d ago
r/Mid_Century • u/throwawaybutofcourse • 1d ago
this chair was my grandmothers, and i’m trying to decide what to do with it. there are no markings on it to indicate who made it and it’s not in the greatest shape. any ideas?
r/Mid_Century • u/tenglempls • 2d ago
r/Mid_Century • u/Ecstatic-Can9734 • 3d ago
I got this beautiful statue at an estate sale and I haven't seen anything like it or this large. When I did an image search it says mid century but I'm no expert and not sure a Google image search can be fully trusted.
Has anyone seen anything like this? Have any thoughts about when it may have been made? It came from a home that had a lot of beautiful mid century danish furniture. If this isn't, I still love it.
r/Mid_Century • u/CalligrapherLate4859 • 2d ago
Can any folks tell if this is an authentic Bertoia? Seller claims it was made in Italy in 1992. Thanks in advance!