Merton Gershun Desks

American, 1909-1989

In as early as the 1920s, American furniture designer Merton Gershun created popular bedroom suites and more for the likes of Shelbyville, Indiana’s Albert Distinctive Modern Furniture Company. Later, he partnered with Dillingham Manufacturing, which had offices in Wisconsin and Mississippi and collaborated with the likes of Arthur Umanoff and Pierre Cardin. The world’s growing population of mid-century modern furniture devotees, however, know Gershun as having been American of Martinsville’s most prolific designer. Vintage Merton Gershun dressers, side tables, bed frames and other pieces are widely collected today.

Founded in the early 1900s by former tobacco producers, American of Martinsville eventually became one of the best known furniture manufacturers in the United States. Besides quality manufacturing, American of Martinsville is additionally recognized for having incorporated the day's trends in its designs. Inspired by designers like George Nakashima and Paul Laszlo, the brand was also known for innovations with wood.

Working with walnut and ebonized mahogany — and integrating decorative flourishes such as brass drawer pulls into his dressers and cane door fronts on his cabinets — Gershun designed numerous furniture lines for the company, including Dilettante, Fortissimo and others. The designer’s Dania collection, with its sleek walnut credenzas fitted with stylish brass accents and large drawers, has enjoyed popularity all over the world.

Gershun was passionate about bringing stylish pieces to American families but was also focused on affordability. His Harlequin line for American of Martinsville — the print ads for which read “SCULPTURED” and “BUDGET-PRICED” in bolded all-caps text — included bedroom and dining room furnishings in solid walnut. For Dillingham, Gershun designed the similarly well-received Esprit and Samara lines as well as other collections.

Gershun was particularly interested in creating furniture for small spaces and for postwar homeowners on a modest budget. He was a big proponent of incorporating international influences into his designs — he drew inspiration from Asia and created chinoiserie-style dressers in bleached walnut supported by ebonized wood bases. To Gershun, modern design was more than clean lines and sharp angles: it was about utility as well as beauty.

Find vintage Merton Gershun case pieces, tables, bedroom furniture and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Creator: Merton Gershun

American of Martinsville Dania 3 Piece Louvered Walnut Desk Modular Unit

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Mid-Century Modern walnut low bench with modular desk and drawer cabinet designed by Merton Gerhsun for American of Martinsville's Dania line circa 60...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

American of Martinsville Dania 3 Piece Louvered Walnut Desk Modular Unit

$3,360 Sale Price / set

20% Off

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Curved Top Desk

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Curved Top Desk This desk measures: 47 wide x 29 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Metal

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Curved Top Desk

$3,895

Vintage American of Martinsville Desk

By Merton Gershun

Located in Pittsburgh, PA

Vintage 3-drawer desk in bleached mahogany with a faux bamboo front. This design features an architectural-inspired linear silhouette with open-side shelving. From the sought-after a...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage American of Martinsville Desk

$2,450

Category

19th Century American High Victorian Antique Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Walnut

19th Century American Walnut "Wells Fargo" Desk by Wooton Desk. Co

$24,712

H 69.69 in W 68.9 in D 32.68 in

American Southern Mahogany and Leather Plantation Desk with Reeded Legs, C. 1810

Located in Charleston, SC

American Southern Mahogany plantation desk with a molded edge hinged top, upper case with a fall front revealing a leather writing surface with a f...

Category

1810s American American Colonial Antique Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Mahogany, Leather, Poplar, Pine

American Southern Mahogany and Leather Plantation Desk with Reeded Legs, C. 1810

$16,500

H 59.75 in W 31.75 in D 24 in

Walnut Credenza by American of Martinsville with a Louvered Front

By American of Martinsville

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This massive vintage modern sideboard features three louvered drawers in the middle and two large storage compartments on the sides. The rich walnut finish, sculpted brass handles, a...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

Walnut Credenza by American of Martinsville with a Louvered Front

$2,600

H 30 in W 78.25 in D 18.5 in

Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Bubble Glass Cabinet

By American of Martinsville

Located in Esperance, NY

For sale is this very nice unique Bubble Glass Cabinet made by American of Martinsville. The cabinet is one piece and can not be separated.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Bubble Glass Cabinet

$2,400

H 66.25 in W 56.5 in D 16 in

Vintage Mid-Century American of Martinsville walnut Credenza

By American of Martinsville

Located in Sheffield, MA

Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 2 drawer, 3 door credenza in warm walnut wood cabinet. Original vintage condition. A great entry way ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Mid-Century American of Martinsville walnut Credenza

$1,900

H 30 in W 52 in D 18 in

American of Martinsville Burl Curio Cabinets Lighted

By American of Martinsville

Located in W Allenhurst, NJ

Pair of beautiful Burl Wood with brass inlays. Nicely fluted detail offset with complimenting brass trim. Smokey glass doors which swing wide. 2 upper adjustable glass shelves with p...

Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

American of Martinsville Burl Curio Cabinets Lighted

$2,245 / set

H 75.5 in W 31.25 in D 16.25 in

Vintage MCM Art Deco Maple Colored Desk Black Accents American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville

Located in Topeka, KS

Stunning vintage mid-century modern or Art Deco with an Asian flair maple colored exotic wood desk by American of Martinsville. Beautiful condition, k...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Wood, Paint

Vintage MCM Art Deco Maple Colored Desk Black Accents American of Martinsville

$3,495

H 29.25 in W 45.5 in D 23 in

Mid-Century Modern Merton L. Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut Dresser

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Chicago, IL

Excellent original condition Mid-century Modern American of Martinsville credenza or lowboy dresser designed by Merton Gershun. Made of genuine walnut with lacquered drawer fronts an...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Merton L. Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut Dresser

$1,728 Sale Price

20% Off

H 30 in W 60 in D 18.5 in

Vintage Coastal Bent Rattan Desk

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Evoke the serene elegance of a sun-drenched retreat with this exquisite Vintage Coastal Bent Rattan Desk. Masterfully crafted with fluid lines of beautifully curved rattan, this piec...

Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

Vintage Coastal Bent Rattan Desk

$1,750

H 29.75 in W 48.75 in D 25 in

Merton Gershun Mid Century Walnut Bar for American of Martinsville w/ Barware

By American of Martinsville

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A rare Mid Century walnut dry bar with pull down front door with light up drink area and storage for glasses . When down the door has a white laminate backing making a bar surface fo...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun Mid Century Walnut Bar for American of Martinsville w/ Barware

$2,200

H 40.63 in W 36.13 in D 15 in

Mid Century Natural Desk

Located in Westwood, NJ

Mid Century natural desk with a brown farmhouse style top with three natural design drawers above a splayed leg iron base. Dimensions: 63" W x 28" D x 32" H.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Natural Desk

$1,983 / item

H 32 in W 63 in D 28 in

Vintage Walnut Dresser by Merton L. Gershun American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in North Hollywood, CA

A beautiful mid-century modern walnut dresser, expertly crafted by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville in the 1960s. This piece showcases a beautifully designed walnut cas...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

Vintage Walnut Dresser by Merton L. Gershun American of Martinsville

$3,875

H 33 in W 65 in D 19 in

Previously Available Items

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Desk by Merton Gershun

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Los Angeles, CA

With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Desk by Merton Gershun

H 29.25 in W 47 in D 29.25 in

Vintage Walnut "Esprit" Desk by Merton L. Gershun for Dillingham

By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Fabulous vintage walnut “Esprit” desk designed by Merton L. Gershun for Dillingham Mfg. Co. in the United States, circa 1960s. This desk belongs to the "Espirit" collection, which st...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Vintage Walnut "Esprit" Desk by Merton L. Gershun for Dillingham

H 29.5 in W 48 in D 23 in

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Dropleaf Desk

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century walnut dropleaf desk Desk measures: 44.5 wide x 23 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a chair clearance of 26.25 inches; when ex...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Chrome

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Dropleaf Desk

H 29 in W 58 in D 23 in

Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Merton L. Gershun walnut writing desk for American of Martinsville. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing h...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of Martinsville

H 29.5 in W 47 in D 29.5 in

Mid-Century American of Martinsville Desk

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in San Jose, CA

Mid-Century Modern Desk by American of Martinsville in walnut. This piece is from the Dania collection designed by Merton Gershun. Features two drawers with brass handles and a uniqu...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century American of Martinsville Desk

H 29.5 in W 47 in D 29.5 in

Merton Gershun desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Merton Gershun desks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Merton Gershun desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Merton Gershun were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1960s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Paul McCobb, John Stuart, and Drexel. Prices for Merton Gershun desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,895 and can go as high as $4,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,048.