Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
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 legendary 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.
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.
45
9
to
8
28
25
54
54
54
54
21
20
14
11
5
4
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
45
9
2
28
6
1
1
9
6
6
Height
to
Width
to
51
27
17
12
11
42
22
8
6
5
17
3
3
3
1
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Hermes, Paris, Equestrian / Horse Head Letter Opener, c.1960
Located in Bath, GB
A highly collectable letter opener or paper knife made by silver plated bronze and dating to c.1960.
The handle is in the form of a horse head, beautifully executed. The underside...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Silver Plate
Hermes, Paris, Equestrian / Horse Head Letter Opener, c.1960
Located in Bath, GB
A highly collectable letter opener or paper knife made in gilded bronze and dating to c.1960; a scarce-find in the gold colour.
The handle is in the form of a horse head, beautifu...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Bronze
Modernist Abstract Sword Copper Plated Brass Letter Opener like Carl Aubock
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Honest time worn age. Heavy wear and patina to plating letter opener, beautiful understated piece. This was definitely the estate owners go to desktop tool. A bit over 8 inches lon...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Vintage French Equestrian Letter Opener, Christian Dior, c.1970's
Located in Bath, GB
An unusual and highly sought-after vintage silver plated letter opener by the world renowned, Christian Dior.
The letter opener is fashioned in the form of a belt with engraved "s...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Silver Plate
Multi Color Handled Letter Opener or Dagger with Stone Between Silver Spacers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A small letter opener and / or Dagger. We like to think if you receive a love letter or valentine this is a letter opener, for bills and tedious documents it would be a dagger.
The...
Category
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Silver, Steel
Solingen German Scissors and Letter Opener in Green Leather Case
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian-made hot-dropped forged steel plated in Nickel and Brass are used to make the scissors and letter opener. The green leather case is marked Solingen Germany.
"Often called “...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass, Steel
Letter opener around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Letter opener around 1950s
Original condition
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Vintage Brass Color Nautical Letter Opener.
Located in Seattle, WA
Letter Opener with Anchor and Rope Details at the Top. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured.
Dimensions. 9 W ; 2 D ; 1/4 H
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Metal
Bvlgari / Bulgari Sterling Silver Letter Opener
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bvlgari / Bulgari sterling silver letter opener with heavy gage silver. This high-quality decorative piece measures 7 1/2'' in length by 1'' in width, marked "Bvlgari", is sure to be...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Solid Brass Mid Century Etruscan Horse Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid Brass Mid Century Modern Etruscan style horse letter opener.
A compliment to any desk or work station, and especially those with a MCM twist.
A beautifully designed piece...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Spratling Sterling and Wood Letter Opener
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1940. We offer this rare William Spratling Sterling and Ebony Wood Letter Opener. fantastic Patina and includes original Spratling Brand.
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Silver
Vintage Brass Dachshund Dog Letter Opener Desk Accessory
Located in North Miami, FL
This mid century modern brass letter opener is of a dachshund dog in repose as the top part. It is from the 50's and has some weight. This is for all the dog lovers of this breed. It...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Jens Risom "R" Rosewood Letter Opener Marked Franz Hingelberg Denmark
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rosewood letter opener from the office of Jens Risom
marked with the Jens Risom "R" and also
marked Franz Hingelberg - Denmark
very rare collectors item - have not been able ...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Rosewood
Original Midcentury Carl Auböck Horn and Leather Letter Opener
Located in Vienna, AT
For sale is a unique piece of Mid-Century Modern design. The letter opener was carefully hand carved out of horn. It was produced in the renowned Austrian workshops of Bauhaus-influe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Horn, Leather
Brass Letter Opener with Leather Case Made in Germany
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid Brass Letter opener with leather case. The brass letter opener has a matte finish with black line details and fits nicely in its case when not in use.
Made in Germany, the ...
Category
20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Mexican Modernist Hand Wrought 950 Silver Letter Opener with Onyx Handle
Located in New York, NY
Mexican mid century modern hand wrought 950 silver letter opener with hand carved Aztec motif green onyx handle. Hallmark stamped underside, 950
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Onyx, Sterling Silver
Rabinet D'Enfert Paris 1970 Rare Desk Set Duo 24kt Gold Gilding & Silver-Plate
Located in Miami, FL
A desk set duo designed by Ravinet D'Enfert.
Fabulous pieces, made in Paris France by the very exclusive luxury accessories house of Rabinet D'Enfert, back in the 1970's. The work...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Gold, Silver, Silver Plate
Carl Aubock Brass "Hand" Letter Opener #7208
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock Brass "Hand" Letter Opener #7208. Currently produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Hermes Paris 1960 Vintage Horse Motif Paper Weight Letter 0pener in Silver
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Desk paper weight letter opener set designed by Hermes.
Fabulous and highly decorative piece, created in Paris, France by the house of Hermes, back in the 1960. This useful horse-...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Silver, Silver Plate
Gucci Vintage Cross Hoofnail Envelope Opener, 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Gucci Vintage letter opener in chrome and the typical Gucci colors green and red patterns signed with Gucci and in good vintage condition.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Chrome
Carl Aubock Polished Brass Letter Opener #4233
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock polished brass letter opener #4233. Produced by Carl Auböck IV in the original Auböck workshop in Vienna, Austria using the same standards, high-quality materials, origin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Beautiful Bird Claw Bronze Letter Opener, Vienna Austria, 1920s Vintage Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian bronze letter opener. Nice addition to your room, on your desk top or just for your collection of Austrian midcentury items. Found at an estate sale in V...
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Bronze
Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #4233-2 Letter Opener, Austria 2022.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Austrian Midcentury Golden Brass Dachshund Letter Opener by Walter Bosse
Located in Vienna, AT
This charming Austrian Midcentury golden solid brass letter opener or paper knife has been designed by Walter Bosse and produced by Herta Baller in the 1950s. The dog features a long...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Scandinavian Desk Set in Bronze by Gusum, A 5 Pieces Set, Signed
By Gusums Bruk
Located in Paris, FR
A very rare desk set of 5 pieces made by Gosum. Sweden. Signed
Bronze.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Silver Plate Bambi Roe Deer Fawn Letter Opener Vintage, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1950s Austrian letter opener. Nice addition to your desktop or just for your collection of Austrian midcentury items. Found at an estate sale in Vienna, Austria.
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Silver Plate
Carl Auböck Paperknife #4233
Located in Berlin, DE
Paperknife by Carl Auböck with glanced splint.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Vintage Austrian Letter Opener and tray Vienna 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
This beautiful desk set comprises a letter opener and a small desk tray. The letter opener is made from nickel plates brass and has a leather wrapping....
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck #7127 Letter Opener "Flat", Austria, 2022
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7127 letter opener "Flat", Austria 2022.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck #7211 Letter Opener "Turned", Austria 2022
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7211 letter opener "Turned", Austria 2022.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck #6086-1 Paperweight or Paperknife, Austria 2022
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass paperknife by Carl Auböck.
Category
2010s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck Letter Opener, Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck letter opener in horn, Austria 1960s.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Horn
Italian Brass Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A simple and elegant Italian Brass letter opener with a silver plate blade. The styling of this piece is very simple and sophisticated - a compliment to any desk or work station and ...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Silver Plate, Brass
Carl Auböck Paperknife #7209
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass paperknife #7209 by Carl Auböck.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Hans Hansen Rosewood Letter Opener with Silver Bee, 1950s
By Hans Hansen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unique hand-finished letter opener in solid rosewood. It has an inlaid silver and enamel plakette with a bee. It was made by silversmith Hans Hansen in Denmark between 1950-60. Due t...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Silver
Carl Auböck Model #4828 Cane and Steel Knife
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4828 cane and steel knife. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural knife is executed in polished steel and handwoven cane.
Price is per item...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Steel
Carl Auböck Model #4233 Brass and Leather Paper Knife
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4233 brass and leather paper knife. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural knife is executed in polished brass and handwoven brown leather....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
20th Century Gabriella Crespi Metal Letter Opener in Shape of Seahorse '70s
Located in Turin, Turin
Very peculiar letter opener designed by Gabriella Crespi in '70s. The letter opener has a very beautiful handle in shape of seahorse, the object is in metal. There is the signature o...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Metal
Carl Auböck Paperknife with Bookmark #6086
Located in Berlin, DE
Brass paperknife with bookmark by Carl Auböck.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Carl Auböck Paperknife with Leather Handle
Located in Berlin, DE
Paperknife with brown leather handle by Carl Auböck.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Rare Gucci Solid Sterling Silver Lion's Paw Letter Opener
By Gucci
Located in Bath, GB
I have only ever had one other of these and it was silver over bronze; I was amazed to find this heavy solid silver example fully marked "925" on the underside and signed by the famo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Sterling Silver
Silver Plated Equestrian Horse Head Letter Opener, Italy, 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A silver plated equestrian letter opener with a horse's head handle. This is a must-have on any gentleman collector's wish list.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Silver Plate
Two Amber And Silver Letter Openers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Two letter openers in dark, yellow and nearly white amber. Hallmarked silver.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Silver
Vintage Sterling Silver Letter Opener Pattern Torchon, England, 1950s Price
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage sterling silver letter opener pattern torchon, England, 1950s.
Category
1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Silver Plate
Exceptional, Elegant and Heavy Brass Letter Opener by Carl Auböck, Vienna, 1950s
Located in Munich, DE
Unique Mid-Century Modern letter opener. Designed and manufactured by Carl Auböck in Vienna, Austria, 1950s.
Executed in solid brass and leather.
Measurements:
L 8.07 in. x W 0.90...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Reed and Barton Silver Plate Horse Head Letter Opener
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver plate Reed and Barton horse head letter opener. A nice addition to any desk or work station.
A handsome piece for the horse enthusiast, owner or trainer - the piece has fai...
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Silver Plate
Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Combination Ruler or Letter Opener
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern, sterling silver combination ruler or letter opener, The Thomas Company, Attleboro, Mass, circa 1950s. Retailed at Neiman Marcus. Measures: Ruler is 8 1/2 inches l...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Sterling Silver
Carl Aubock, Letter Opener, Leather and Brass, Austria, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Letter opener by Carl Auböck. Made in brass with leather handle, Austria, 1950s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Gold Plate Letter Opener with Felt Case
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gold plate letter opener with felt case. A beauty on any desk - a great gift for Father's Day.
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Gold Plate
Ostrich Leather Handle Letter Opener with Brass Knife After Karl Springer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ostrich handle letter opener with brass knife after Karl Springer. Beautifully designed, simple, elegant and functional for any desk, open letters or protect yourself!
Category
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass
Gucci Vintage Faux Bamboo Paper Knife, 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Gucci Vintage faux bamboo letter opener in chrome signed with Gucci and in very good vintage condition.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Italian Scissor and Letter Opener Set in Leather Case
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A compliment to any desk or work station, the pair of Scissors and letter opener are housed in a fine leather case the letter opener has a Celtic Design. The pair are also the perfec...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Metal, Brass, Stainless Steel
Carl Auböck Nickel-Plated Brass Leather Letter Opener, Paper Knife, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and solid nickel-plated brass letter opener or paper knife with black leather handle from the 1950s, designed an executed by Carl Auböck, Vienna / Austria. Marked item in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Brass, Nickel
1950s Modern Advertising Letter Opener Hill Desk Accessory
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Mid-Century Modern Advertising Letter Opener by Hill.
The letter opener has the original cover in faux leather with hammered texture. The metal had...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Letter Openers
Materials
Metal
Mid-century Modern letter openers for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern letter openers 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 letter openers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, brass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern letter openers made in a specific country, there are Europe, Austria, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original letter openers, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Gucci, Hermès, and Ravinet d'Enfert. 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 letter openers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $180 and tops out at $2,781 while the average work can sell for $686.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Antique Paper Knife Letter Openers
Eye Opener
Guilloche Letter Opener
Sword Letter Opener
Antique Enamel Letter Opener
Dagger Letter Opener
Dog Letter Opener
Faberge Letter Opener
Brass Swordfish
Eagle Letter Opener
Antique Letter Opener Sword
Dachshund Letter Opener
Antique German Letter Opener
Large Victorian Letter Opener
Solingen Scissors
Faberge Pencil
Letter Opener China
Spratling Letter Opener