Skip to main content

Encyclopedia Bookcase

Mid 20th Century Solid Mahogany Encyclopedia Bookcase, Circa 1960s
Located in Germantown, MD
A Mid 20th Century Solid Mahogany Encyclopedia Bookcase. Measures 24" in width, 9" in depth and
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Midcentury Mahogany Encyclopedia Low Bookcase, 1960s
Located in Germantown, MD
Midcentury mahogany encyclopedia low bookcase, 1960s measuring 25" in width, 11.5" in depth and
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Mahogany

Mid-20th Century Solid Mahogany Encyclopedia Low Bookcase, Circa 1960s
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid-20th Century Solid Mahogany Encyclopedia low Bookcase, Circa 1960s. Measures 32.5" in width, 8
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

George II Mahogany Bureau Cabinet Bookcase
Located in Lymington, GB
proportion with the rest of the cabinet / bookcase. In excellent condition overall. Architectural furniture
Category

Antique 1740s English George II Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Le Corbusier LC16 Writing Wood Desk and Shelve by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
equilibrium, this bookcase is nothing short of a manifesto for Cassina’s design and construction capabilities
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Le Corbusier LC16 Desk and Shelve and Cabanon Stools Set by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
, this bookcase is nothing short of a manifesto for Cassina’s design and construction capabilities. After
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Florence Knoll, Model 2480 Oval Table Desk, 1960s
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in Eindhoven, Noord Brabant
Knoll described this standard layout in her 1964 “Commercial Interiors” entry for the Encyclopedia
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

Le Corbusier LC16 Writing Wood Desk and Shelve by Cassina
By Le Corbusier, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
equilibrium, this bookcase is nothing short of a manifesto for Cassina’s design and construction capabilities
Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

People Also Browsed

Kartell Sound Rack Modular Bookcase in Marine by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba
By Ludovica + Roberto Palomba 1, Kartell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Multi-shaped and multi-purpose shelving system, stackable and modular, offering the possibility of creating a variety of geometric and chromatic compositions. This accessory can play...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Shelves

Materials

Resin

Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 S" in Oak by Casey Lurie Studio
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
Part room divider, part bookcase, part screen, the "30/30" series is an extremely versatile shelving system. Named for the degrees of the alternately angled dividers which give the p...
Category

2010s North American Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Rare French Empire Mahogany Bookcase Library Jacob Desmalter
By François-Honoré-Georges Jacob-Desmalter
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Large and very unusual French Empire bookcase in beautifully figured mahogany veneer. Four glazed doors (original glass), interior with original shelves (two on each level allow an a...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Empire Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Classic Vintage Midcentury Scandinavian Danish Modern Rosewood Bookcase Cabinet
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This classic modernist cabinet was made in Denmark during the 1960s. Made of high-quality, noble rosewood. Its structure is very strong, with expressive graining. The pieces of furni...
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Rosewood

19th Century English George III Burr Walnut Bureau Bookcase
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a very good quality burr walnut dome top bureau bookcase. The top of the bookcase has three finials with two glazed doors below. The doors open to reveal a superbly fitte...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Queen Anne Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Midcentury Teak Glazed Cabinet by Robert Heritage, England, circa 1960
By Robert Heritage, Beaver and Tapley
Located in London, GB
Midcentury teak glazed cabinet by Robert Heritage as part of the multi-width range for Beaver & Tapley. England, circa 1960. Glass siding doors, with one static and one adjustable sh...
Category

Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Glass, Teak

1950's John Keal design for Brown-Saltman Low Credenza Cabinet
By John Keal
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Mid-century four-door very low cabinet designed by John Keal for Brown-Saltman. Gorgeous walnut grain throughout. Nickel-plated pulls and back plate. Exceptionally versatile piece of...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Credenzas

Materials

Wood

Rare Russel Wright American Modern bookshelf for Conant Ball
Located in Fraser, MI
Rare Bookshelf from the American Modern series. Designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball. Maple Construction.
Category

Vintage 1930s Bookcases

Materials

Maple

Large Victorian Style Walnut Adjustable Bookcase, Antique Quality
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique Victorian-style walnut (or possibly cherry) veneered adjustable bookcase of substantial size, approximately 4 feet by 5 feet. Recently crafted by a skilled cabinet maker, inc...
Category

20th Century Victorian Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Henredon Georgian Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Queen Anne style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top By Henredon USA, Circa 1980s Gorgeous figured walnut, with original bra...
Category

Late 20th Century American Georgian Desks

Materials

Brass

National Trust John Locke Secretaire
Located in Asheville, NC
This very rare Kindel reproduction is part of The National for Historic Preservation Collection, The Cliveden desk and bookcase is truly a masterpiece. An outstanding example of the ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Rococo Secretaires

National Trust John Locke Secretaire
National Trust John Locke Secretaire
H 98 in W 45.5 in D 27 in
18th C. Late Georgian Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Ca. 1780. A fine figured mahogany classic Georgian secretary bookcase with the broken bonnet in openwork foliate scrolls flanking a fluted short pedestal (it appears that it never ha...
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Pair Danish Mid Century Modern Teak Low Bookcase/Cabinets With Shaped Supports
Located in High Wycombe, GB
A Pair of Matching Danish Mid Century Modern Glazed Teak Low Bookcases With Shaped Supports. Provenance: The Estate of John Graham architect (1927-2021) of Harlow, Essex. John Gra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Teak

Mogens Koch Bookcases in Mahogany for Rud. Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch pair of bookcases in mahogany. Executed by Rud Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DENMARK.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

18th Century George III Mahogany Bookcase Secretary, Georgian, 1780s
Located in Roma, RM
English Bookcase, George III, circa 1780, mahogany wood, in good condition but in need of restoration. Fantastic example of English craftsmanship for this type of furniture. Carefu...
Category

Antique 1780s English George III Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Fine English George III Antique Mahogany Secretary Desk circa 1780
Located in Shippensburg, PA
A VERY FINE GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETAIRE WITH A GLAZED BOOKSHELF ABOVE A CHEST OF DRAWERS England, circa 1780 Three drawers signed "William Jones" Item # 307XNK13S Of exceedingl...
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Regency Sheraton Style Breakfront Bookcase Mahogany Inlay
Located in Potters Bar, Herts
You are viewing a fantastic Sheraton style mahogany breakfront bookcase. The piece comes in two
Category

2010s Regency Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century Regency Period Rosewood and Ormolu Mounted Secretaire Cabinet
Located in Bradford on Avon, GB
. Attribution: The overal form of the bookcase relates to a design by Sheraton as detailed below. In addition, a
Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Secretaires

Materials

Ormolu

Antique French Gothic Open Bookcase
Located in Dallas, TX
Used for multiple volume storage such as books on law or encyclopedias, low bibliotheques like this
Category

Antique 19th Century French Gothic Bookcases

Solid Mahogany Bookcase Etagere, circa 1960s
Located in Germantown, MD
Mid-Century Modern solid mahogany Bookcase / Etagere. May not hold very large books or items, but
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

ARTS & CRAFTS PERIOD BOOK CASE
Located in Essex, MA
A well made Arts & Crafts period book case/encyclopedia stand in oak. Provenance: A
Category

Early 20th Century American Bookcases

ARTS & CRAFTS PERIOD BOOK CASE
ARTS & CRAFTS PERIOD BOOK CASE
H 36 in W 30.75 in D 16 in
Arts and Crafts Book Case/Cabinet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
don't know it... I'm a dealer, not the encyclopedia Brittanica - Are those still around? This case is
Category

20th Century American Craftsman Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Arts and Crafts Book Case/Cabinet
Arts and Crafts Book Case/Cabinet
H 80 in W 34 in D 13 in
Italian 34 Volume Set of Encyclopedias
Located in Atlanta, GA
A wonderful 34 volume set of Italian vellum spine'd encyclopedias published in Milano. Lined up
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Books

Materials

Paper

Italian 34 Volume Set of Encyclopedias
Italian 34 Volume Set of Encyclopedias
H 11.63 in W 99 in D 8.63 in
Spanish 19th Century 15 Volume Set of Vellum Encyclopedias
Located in Atlanta, GA
A wonderful 15 volume set of 19th century Spanish vellum covered encyclopedias - SERRANO
Category

Antique 19th Century Spanish Books

Materials

Leather

Italian Modern Teak and Brass Floor to Ceiling Wall Unit, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
the bookcase to the back wall instead of the ceiling The wooden supports to the ceiling are just for
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass, Iron

Well-proportioned and Useful 2 Part Display Cabinet, France Early 1900
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Gorgeous, well-proportioned and very useful 2-part bookcase from the start of the last century
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Cabinets

Materials

Wood

1950s Italian Modern Teak Iron and Brass Floor to Ceiling Wall Unit
Located in Rome, IT
allow you to fix the bookcase to the back wall instead of the ceiling This model of wall unit is
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass, Iron

Marble-Topped Light Walnut Credenza or Sideboard by Florence Knoll, Mid-Century
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
described this standard layout in her 1964 “Commercial Interiors” entry for the Encyclopedia Britannica: “In
Category

20th Century Sideboards

Materials

Marble

Classical Carved Mahogany Sideboard with Busts of Female Figures Wearing Turbans
By Edward Priestley
Located in New York, NY
intérieures (Paris 1801-1812), including plates 23, 24, 28 and 49. Plate 28, of a secretary bookcase in the
Category

Antique 1820s American American Classical Serving Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Florence Knoll Credenza Sideboard Walnut & Carrara Marble Original, 1970s
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in Longdon, Tewkesbury
. Florence Knoll described this standard layout in her 1964 “Commercial Interiors” entry for the Encyclopedia
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards

Materials

Marble

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Encyclopedia Bookcase", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Finding the Right storage-case-pieces for You

Of all the antique and vintage case pieces and storage cabinets that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of storage case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard made of colored glass and metals, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

Read More

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.

What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?

The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.

This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once

Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.

28 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name

Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.

Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition

Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.

Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way

Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.

Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture

In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.