Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Basquiat a Venezia, Exhibition Catalog 1999
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibition catalog:
Venezia (Venice), Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa, 1999
Catalog produced for the occasion of the exhibition "Jean-Michel Basquiat a Ven...
Category
1990s Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Cologne Cathedral Church Souvenir Building Ashtray Vintage, German, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A 1960s souvenir building architectural model Ashtray. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Made of metal. A beautiful nice desktop item or just a display item in your ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Italian silver gold table cigarette holder case, 1950s
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Italian Silver and Gold Table Cigarette Holder Case, 1950s
This elegant pair of mid-century modern silvered and gilded metal cigarette holders from the 1950s captures the essence of ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Per Lütken Holmegaard Danish Atomic Spaceship Blue Glass Ashtray
Located in Bishop
s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish mid-century Danish blue glass ashtray stylized as a spaceship designed by renowned glass maker Per Lütken (Danish, 1916-1998) for the Holm...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Blown Glass
WWII USA Air Corps Force Sterling Silver Brooch Pin Badge by Meyer
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This is a high-quality, original World War II U.S. Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Brooch insignia, manufactured by the renowned American badge maker Meyer of New York. Crafted in two ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
$150 Sale Price
40% Off
Vintage 1950s Hermes Rocket Typewriter
Located in Queens, NY
Vintage 1950s Hermes Rocket portable beige plastic typewriter with white square plastic keys and original matching beige plastic carry case
Category
20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plastic
Vintage Van Teal Lucite Tic Tac Toe Set, Circa 1970
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Van Teal style lucite Tic Tac Toc set from the 1070´s.
Thick lucite set with curved edges. Perfect gaming and conversation piece for your coffee table or play room.
Sizewise...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Lucite
$190 Sale Price
60% Off
Tommaso Barbi Table Lighter in Murano Glass, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant 1970s table lighter in Murano glass made by the Italian designer Tommaso Barbi.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Vision of Frank Lloyd Wright by Thomas a. Heinz Hardcover Book 1st Edition
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The Vision of Frank Lloyd Wright. by Thomas A. Heinz large heavy hardcover coffee table book. A Complete Guide To The Designs Of An Architectural Genius. Frank Lloyd Wright's career, sometimes tragic, sometimes tempestuous - at all times creative - has been examined and reexamined in numerous studies and articles both during his lifetime and since his death in 1959, which occurred shortly before the completion of his most famous project, New York's Guggenheim Museum. Virtually every structure that Wright built is represented in this extensive survey of his life's work. His genius at architectural design enable him to work out extremely complex buildings in his head and translate them on to paper in a matter of hours, as the famous story of his design presentation of Falling Water illustrates. His work continues to draw great admiration and interest to this day. His often tempestuous and sometimes tragic life and career are given full coverage in this book. Hundreds of photos, both archival and recent chart his amazing work and influence on all who followed.
This concise consideration of Wright's life and work not only offers new insights into the character of this complex, powerful and at all times confident personality, but also the architectural legacy he left behind and which exists to this day in the vast number of homes and public buildings photographed...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Articulated Brass Crab Ashtray
Located in Charleston, SC
Vintage articulated brass crab ashtray. (life-size). Circa 1960. Made in India
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
French Sculptural Bronze Bracelet
La Manif" by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze bracelet by Line Vautrin (1913-1997), circa 1945-46. The design is known as "La Manif" or "La Manifestation", which features a chain of arm-linked figurines. Monogramme...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Antique Japanese Lacquer Cigarette Box Set
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an antique Japanese lacquer cigarette set bamboo with silver fan shaped insert at top style of Nagata Tomijiro
Dimensions: Tray 7.63" W x 6" D x .75" H
Box ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bamboo, Lacquer
$292 Sale Price
55% Off
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes by Robert Louis Stevenson, Ltd. Edition
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
Stevenson, Robert Louis. Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes. New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1957. Limited edition, numbered 763/1500. Signed and illustrated by Roger Duvoisi...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Paper
American Mid Century Airguide Walnut Case Desktop Barometer
By AirGuide
Located in San Diego, CA
elegant classic desk top barometer in solid walnut case circa 1950's by Air Guide nice original condition great for mid century Danish modern atomic age home decor.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Beatrice Wood Signed Book Exhibition Catalog Intimate Appeal The Figurative Art
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful and rare signed softcover book/exhibition catalog by Beatrice Wood. The book is titled "Intimate Appeal: The Figurative Art of Beatrice Wood" and was released to coincid...
Category
1980s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Mid-Century Brass Crucifix
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice MCM brass crucifix with Jesus on the cross, circa 1970s. Nice weight and detail; made in Germany. #3511
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Visetta Italvisetta Sewing Machine Design by Gio Ponti, 1948
Located in taranto, IT
Sewing machine model VISETTA, Italvisetta production, original of the 40s, designed by Gio Ponti and reported in the archive of the great designer
very rare glossy black color
What...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel, Iron
Mid-20th Century European Museum Mushroom Specimen
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century European Museum Mushroom Specimen
Encased in a glass cube this mid-20th Century papier mache, hand painted large teaching aid mushroom specimen stands 16.5 inches ...
Category
1950s British Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Paper
Walter Bosse Cow Figurine with Thermometer by Herta Baller, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A charming Austrian desk thermometer, consisting of a nice cow figurine and a lantern-shaped thermometer. A humorous design by Walter Bosse, executed by H...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
Brooke Cadwallader Carnival Mid-Century Era Silk Scarf, 1947-1950
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Brooke Cadwallader Silk Scarf, The Carnival Print – 1947-1950
Brooke Cadwallader was a well-known printed textile designer of the mid-20th century...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silk
Paravia Termology Cassette with Original Instruments - Italy - 1960s
By Paravia
Located in Milano, IT
Paravia, scientific instruments, vintage educational kit, 1960s, Norstedts, magnetism, optics, thermology, mechanics, applied electricity, top vintage lab, educational set, experimen...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$1,441 Sale Price
20% Off
Jean Cocteau Necklace
By Jean Cocteau
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Rare pendentif par Jean Cocteau, signé.
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ceramic
$2,642
Anemometer 1950 Coal Mining Vintage Science Equipment in Brass and Steel
Located in Miami, FL
Mechanical desk anemometer in brass.
Very interesting scientific coal mining anemometer, made up back in the 1950's with brass and blackened steel parts...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Steel, Iron
$409 Sale Price
30% Off
Vintage Choker Necklace by Christian Dior 1965
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Collector’s Item – 20-Strand Vintage Necklace by Christian Dior, Perfect with the Little Black Dress
A rare and elegant 20-strand vintage necklace by Christian Dior, the perfect acc...
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Vintage Marvelous Mike Tractor 1000 Toy c.1954
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A vintage Marvelous Mike Tractor 1000 with robot driver. Painted yellow with all original decals present. Patents date on back.
Shown with life size hand model for scale.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Vintage U.S. Air Force Sterling Silver Pilot Air Wings Shirt Pin
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice mid-century U.S. Air Force sterling silver pilot air wings shirt pin, circa 1940s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with a nice patina and measures 3"W x .75"D...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sterling Silver
"Lincoln Bank" Still Toy Savings Bank, American, circa 1950
Located in Incline Village, NV
This seldom seen bank is technically a mechanical bank but basically it is a still bank with a slight mechanical function, that being; once it is full of coins, it opens up automatic...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
Vintage Book, Once A Week, AA Milne, English, Morocco Bound, Short Stories, 1926
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage copy of Once a Week by A.A. Milne. An English, Morocco bound book of short stories, dating to the early 20th century.
Once a Week is a collection of short stories ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Italian Modern Wooden Botanic Model
Located in Roma, IT
A botanic didactical specimen in the manner of the famous German botanist Robert Brendel.
"In the late 19th century Robert Brendel and his son Reinhold produced beautiful and accur...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
LB LTD Tri-Ang Steel Train-Steam Locomotives Toy
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a bright orange and black color train-steam locomotives metal toy. It has four black tires and a little silver metal bell in the front top of...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Steel
$176 Sale Price
25% Off
Laverne Originals Catalog (ABCDEF)
Located in New York, NY
Early catalog for Laverne Originals, the modern design company founded by Estelle and Erwine Laverne in 1938. From its modest origins producing primarily wallpapers and textiles, Lav...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Chinese "Go" or ""Weiqi" Board and Game
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice and well contructed vintage Chinese "Go" or ""Weiqi" board and game with play instructions, circa 1970s. The set is in very good condition and comes with a large wood boa...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
$1,050 Sale Price / set
30% Off
David Marshall hexagonal ashtray in cast brass and aluminum from the 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful hexagonal ashtray in solid brass and aluminum. This lovely piece was designed by David Marshall in Spain during the 1970s.
The simple straight lines and contrast between the different materials make this David Marshall ashtray...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Aluminum
Mid Century Playing Cards Box in Patinated Silver Plated Brass and Velvet 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Mid Century Playing Cards Box in Patinated Silver Plated Brass and Velvet, Europe, 1960s.
This is a wonderful and very nicely patinated mid century playing cards box. Makes for very...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver Plate
Kay Bojesen, Toy or Decorative Sculpture, Teak, Denmark, 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in High Point, NC
A teak toy or animal sculpture designed by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, 1950s.
Dimensions variable, measured as illustrated in first image.
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Teak
Dice Steel Metal Sculpture or Paper Weight Mid-Century Modern, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage German Steel Dice Paperweight (Art Deco Style, c. Mid-20th Century)
A striking minimalist sculpture and paperweight, this German steel cube features a single dice form balan...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Steel
Batman stereo radio bar by Adalberto dal Lago
Adam Tihany for G. Rossi , 1970s
Located in bruxelles, BE
Batman record player, radio and bar by Adalberto dal Lago & Adam Tihany for Giuseppe Rossi. The top is in brushed chrome metal with integrated speakers a...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
THORENS 1953 Masterpiece Pocket Petrol Lighter In Polished Chromed Steel
Located in Miami, FL
A Masterpiece lighter designed by Thorens.
This a beautiful pocket petrol lighter, created in Saint-Croix Switzerland by the Thorens Company, back in the 1951. The iconic lighter ha...
Category
1950s Swiss Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Steel
$698 Sale Price
30% Off
Vintage Blue Art Glass and Brass Kaleidoscope
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage Blue Art Glass and Brass Kaleidoscope
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
1950’s Spaniard Navy Mortar
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a 1950’s Spaniard Navy Mortar. It depicts a long cylindrical rusted metal barrel supported by a rectangular metal table shaped stand with two rectangular flat walls at each e...
Category
20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Brass Toned Figural Aladdin
s Oil Lamp Styled Table Lighter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage figural oil lamp table lighter is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Japan and date to approximately 1965 and done in the perio...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Spelter
Rare Hand Machined Willys Jeep Ges-Gesch Table Lighter, West Germany by by Baier
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original polished aluminum and rubber late 1940s "Baier Willys Jeep & Trailer Table Lighter & Ashtray made by the Walter Baier Company, in U.S. occupied Germany shortly after WWII, C...
Category
1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Aluminum
$432 Sale Price
40% Off
Maison Lancel Polished Bronze Koi Fish Sconces Creme Cone Shade France 1950-Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Superb pair of Maison Lancel Bronze Japanese Koi Sconces, wall lights with cream Cone Paper shade.
These animal sculpture lighting was made in the...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Illuminated Magnifying Glass Eagle Hong Kong
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Eagle Magnifying Glass Hong Kong
2.75 h x 4.5 diameter x 9.5 long
reading magnifying glass with light by EAGLE
stamped by maker
Preowned vintage condition
Refer to images
Category
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
A Round Carved Onyx Ashtray – 1970s France.
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An elegant and timeless, this round ashtray is hand-carved from solid onyx, showcasing the natural beauty of the stone with warm tones of beige, cream, and soft brown. The smooth, po...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Onyx
20th Century French Iron, Walnut Spotlight, Cinema Floor Spot Lamp by Clémançon
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A grey-black, vintage Mid-Century Modern French spotlight made of handcrafted lacquered iron, designed and produced by Clémançon in good condition. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass, Iron
"Calder
s Universe" Art Book by Jean Lipman
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage "Calder's Universe" art book by Gloria Jean Lipman, circa 1980.
The book is in good vintage condition (several small tears to the dust jacket) and measures 10.25"W x 11"H....
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Herman Siersbøl Ring in 14 Carat Gold w. Purple Stone
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Midcentury ladies ring size 17/57 on ring measurer. Its made from solid 14 carat yellow gold and is set with a faceted dark amethyst with both blue and purple tonalities. Designed an...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Amethyst, Gold
Mid Century Gold Ring with Cabochon Cut Agate Carnelian
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Mid century 14K yellow and white gold ring statement ring
Large cabochon carnelian stone
condition very good
Marked 14K Gold
Origin: Netherlands Hallmarked
Size 17.5
Very good condition
Category
1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
Rare Mexican Modern Silver Jewelry Suite Caviar Model William Spratling
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare four-piece suite of Mexican Modern silver jewelry suite circa 1940s from Taxco, Mexico and crafted by William Spratling (1900-1967), an American designer and entrepreneur who ...
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
James Bond
You Only Live Twice
Original Vintage Movie Poster, Australian, 1967
Located in Devon, GB
The fifth film in EON Productions' James Bond series and the last of Sean Connery's first stint starring as the suave secret agent, it was announced during filming of 'You Only Live ...
Category
1960s Australian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper, Linen
Selza Automatic WWII Military Aviation Pilot Cold Capped 14K Gold Watch
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This Selza Gold filled Automatic Cold Capped Watch from the WWII era was used extensively for US Air Force Pilots. The case is a 14K gold case with stainless steel parts and a lumino...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold, Stainless Steel
$585 Sale Price
40% Off
Mid Century Lucite Table Lighter
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Great table lighter. Lucite form in an inviting design. Does't appear to have been used.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Lucite
Vintage "Paul Klee" Art Book by Metropolitan Museum of Art
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage "Paul Klee" art book by Metropolitan Museum of Art, circa 1987. This hard to find paperback book is in good vintage condition and measures 9.5"W x 12"H. Beautiful book lar...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1960s Artisan Earrings Copper Blue Enamel Taxco Mexico
By Taxco
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
1960s Copper Blue Earrings artisan Taxco Mexico
.88 x 1 x .63 D
Original preowned condition
Refer to images
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Copper, Enamel
Art Deco Pan-Am DC3 Wooden Airplane Desk Model, Midcentury
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Art Deco / midcentury large DC3 desk aviation model.
Pan-Am wooden airplane model.
It was in an office of the company in South America.
Very good restored conditions. Slight age wear.
History
Pan American Airways began the first transatlantic passenger service on this day in 1939. Pan American World Airways, as it was to be known, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal United States international air carrier from the late 1920s until its collapse on December 4, 1991. Founded in 1927 as a scheduled air mail and passenger service operating between Key West, Florida, and Havana, Cuba, the airline became a major company credited with many innovations that shaped the international airline industry, including the widespread use of jet aircraft, jumbo jets, and computerized reservation systems.
The history of Pan American Airways is inextricably linked to the expansive vision and singular effort of one man – Juan Trippe. An avid flying enthusiast and pilot, Trippe, only 28 years old when he founded the airline, lined up wealthy investors and powerful government officials from his personal acquaintances in the high-society of the 1920s. However, Pan Am’s first flight was an inauspicious start to its epic saga.
In 1927, facing a Post Office deadline for the commencement of mail carriage, Pan Am had no working equipment for its sole airmail contract between Key West and Havana. Fortunately for Pan Am, a pilot with his Fairchild seaplane arrived at Key West and was willing to carry the mail to Cuba for the start up operation. It is fitting that Pan Am’s first flight would be over water, since the airline would Pioneer overseas routes throughout its history.
Pan Am’s fortunes took a turn for the better in the fall of 1927. Through the heavy lobbying efforts of Juan Trippe, Pan Am was selected by the United States government to be its “chosen instrument” for overseas operations. Pan Am would enjoy a near monopoly on international routes. Added to Pan Am’s Cuba route were lines serving Mexico, Central America, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Puerto Rico. Most of these destinations were port cities, which could be reached only by landing on water. Therefore Pan Am made good use of its “flying boats,” the Sikorsky S-38 and S-40. Flights were eventually expanded to serve much of South America as well.
EnlargePan Am’s fleet of Clippers allowed the airline to conquer the Pacific in the mid-1930s. The flying boats would later be put to military use in WWII.
Just a few years later, Pan Am launched its effort to cross the world’s largest oceans. Survey flights across the Pacific were conducted with the Sikorsky S-42 in 1935, but passenger service required bigger and better aircraft. Accompanied by much fanfare, the Martin M-130 was introduced in 1936, followed by the Boeing 314...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
1950s Miracle Tip Cigarette Advertising Tin Sign Vintage Red Ratrod Garage Decor
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Mid-Century LM Cigarette Advertising Sign. Still with Bright Colors, and age appropriate wear. This is an authentic vintage sign, and it is mar...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$476 Sale Price
20% Off
Antonio Vitali Wood Toy Family Set for Creative Playthings
Located in San Mateo, CA
Carved wood toy family by Antonio Vitali, Swiss toy designer. Vitali designed this set for Creative Playthings in 1954. These were marketed under the na...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Moto Guzzi Nuovo Falcone Military 500cc 1972
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian motorcycle order to made for the Yugoslavian Special Force Tito . Made only 500 pieces.
70 of them was used for the President Tito military ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
$5,000 Sale Price
44% Off
Three-Dimensional Midcentury Anatomical Wall Plaster Sculpture, Germany, 1950s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Midcentury three-dimensional anatomical plaster painting, provenance Hygiene Museum Dresden with museum sticker label, Germany 1950s.
Please note tha...
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Plaster, Wood
$470 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-century Modern collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern collectibles and curiosities made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Line Vautrin, Dunhill, and Kay Bojesen. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $15 and tops out at $130,932 while the average work can sell for $755.
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