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Shallow Bookcases

American Craftsman Solid Palisander Paperback Bookcase Vintage Mid-Century Wider
American Craftsman Solid Palisander Paperback Bookcase Vintage Mid-Century Wider

American Craftsman Solid Palisander Paperback Bookcase Vintage Mid-Century Wider

Located in Hyattsville, MD

Another wider paperback bookcase, shallow for entryways. Well made, beautiful active grain, this

Category

Vintage 1950s American Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Rosewood

Recent Sales

Victorian Estate Bureau Bookcase
Victorian Estate Bureau Bookcase

Victorian Estate Bureau Bookcase

Unavailable

H 80.75 in W 40.5 in D 16 in

Victorian Estate Bureau Bookcase

Located in Manchester, GB

A stunning Victorian estate bureau bookcase of very shallow proportions. We feel that this piece

Category

Antique 1890s English Victorian Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Unusually Designed Biedermeier Bookcase
Unusually Designed Biedermeier Bookcase

Unusually Designed Biedermeier Bookcase

Unavailable

H 80 in W 48 in D 16 in

Unusually Designed Biedermeier Bookcase

Located in Long Island City, NY

Unusually crowned shallow Biedermeier armoire (bookcase) in matching mahogany on pine and oak. Two

Category

Antique 19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Bookcases

Materials

Oak

English George III Mahogany Gillows Glazed Bookcase, circa 1780
English George III Mahogany Gillows Glazed Bookcase, circa 1780

English George III Mahogany Gillows Glazed Bookcase, circa 1780

By Gillows of Lancaster & London

Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire

This is a superb English George III mahogany satinwood and purple heart glazed bookcase of

Category

Antique 1780s English George III Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Purpleheart, Satinwood

19th Century Louis XVI French Marquetry Mahogany Shallow Bookcase
19th Century Louis XVI French Marquetry Mahogany Shallow Bookcase

19th Century Louis XVI French Marquetry Mahogany Shallow Bookcase

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century Louis XVI French marquetry shallow bookcase is the ideal choice for narrow passageways

Category

Antique 1890s French Louis XVI Bookcases

Materials

Bronze

Pair of French Arched Top Shallow Bookcases, circa 1800
Pair of French Arched Top Shallow Bookcases, circa 1800

Pair of French Arched Top Shallow Bookcases, circa 1800

Located in BENSENVILLE, IL

Magnificent and extremely rare pair of French bookcases, circa 1780-1800. Our opinion is that these

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis XIII Bookcases

Materials

Cherry

Pair  Of Painted Cornish Bookcases
Pair  Of Painted Cornish Bookcases

Pair Of Painted Cornish Bookcases

Sold

H 108.25 in W 42 in D 16.5 in

Pair Of Painted Cornish Bookcases

Located in New York, NY

PAIR OF LATE 18TH, EARLY 19TH CENTURY VERY SHALLOW BOOKCASES

Category

Antique 19th Century British Bookcases

George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Bookcases
George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Bookcases

George Nelson for Herman Miller Walnut Bookcases

By George Nelson

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Herman Miller shallow bookcase. Hard to find case pieces that are only 12" deep! We still have the

Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

French Oak Louis Philippe Bibliotheque
French Oak Louis Philippe Bibliotheque

French Oak Louis Philippe Bibliotheque

Sold

H 93 in W 53.63 in D 13 in

French Oak Louis Philippe Bibliotheque

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

, circa 1860. This uniquely shallow bookcase has an upper portion, outfitted with three adjustable shelves

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Bookcases

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Rosewood Bookcase, Very Shallow
19th Century English Rosewood Bookcase, Very Shallow

19th Century English Rosewood Bookcase, Very Shallow

Located in Dallas, TX

19th century English rosewood bookcase is a grand execution of the tailored look, and features a

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Neoclassical Bookcases

Materials

Rosewood

Pair of Paint Decorated Gilded Venetian Style Open Bookcases of Shallow Depth
Pair of Paint Decorated Gilded Venetian Style Open Bookcases of Shallow Depth

Pair of Paint Decorated Gilded Venetian Style Open Bookcases of Shallow Depth

By Shaw Furniture Company

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This is a gorgeous pair of Shaw Furniture Company bookcases with open top sections and closed bases

Category

Vintage 1970s American Regency Revival Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

French Louis Philippe Walnut Tall and Shallow 2-Door Bookcase, ca. 1835
French Louis Philippe Walnut Tall and Shallow 2-Door Bookcase, ca. 1835

French Louis Philippe Walnut Tall and Shallow 2-Door Bookcase, ca. 1835

Located in Atlanta, GA

With a graduated crown atop a case with rounded corners, two doors with ebonized escutcheons and antique locks, the interior fitted with adjustable shelving, half of which included i...

Category

Antique 1830s French Louis Philippe Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

French Louis Philippe Mahogany Shallow Cabinet, 19th Century
French Louis Philippe Mahogany Shallow Cabinet, 19th Century

French Louis Philippe Mahogany Shallow Cabinet, 19th Century

Located in Atlanta, GA

The case veneered in mahogany, having two glass paned doors with brass spacers and original lock, the shelves adjustable and having a hidden drawer at the base. Three depths: 13” at ...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century American Painted Bookcase
Early 19th Century American Painted Bookcase

Early 19th Century American Painted Bookcase

Located in Wiscasset, ME

An early American painted bookcase of nice shallow dimension. From either New York or New England

Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Colonial Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Paint

Stacking Oak Globe Wernicke Barristers Bookcase or Filing Cabinet
Stacking Oak Globe Wernicke Barristers Bookcase or Filing Cabinet

Stacking Oak Globe Wernicke Barristers Bookcase or Filing Cabinet

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

bookcase, all of the sections have a copper side banding, the bookcase has a shallow cornice at the top, 2

Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Regency Plum-Pudding Mahogany Library Centre Table and Bookcase
Regency Plum-Pudding Mahogany Library Centre Table and Bookcase

Regency Plum-Pudding Mahogany Library Centre Table and Bookcase

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

four dummy frieze drawers with ring handles set above four shallow, concave bookcases enclosed behind

Category

Antique Early 1800s English Regency Bookcases

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany

Regency Plum-Pudding Mahogany Library Centre Table and Bookcase
Regency Plum-Pudding Mahogany Library Centre Table and Bookcase

Regency Plum-Pudding Mahogany Library Centre Table and Bookcase

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

four dummy frieze drawers with ring handles set above four shallow, concave bookcases enclosed behind

Category

Antique 1810s English Regency Center Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of Italian Lacquer and Giltwood Bookcases or Display Cabinets
Pair of Italian Lacquer and Giltwood Bookcases or Display Cabinets

Pair of Italian Lacquer and Giltwood Bookcases or Display Cabinets

Located in Firenze, IT

An imposing pair of 19th century lacquer display cabinets or bookcases of shallow depth with finely

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Cabinets

Materials

Giltwood, Glass

Antique French Louis XVI Painted Shallow Bookcase
Antique French Louis XVI Painted Shallow Bookcase

Antique French Louis XVI Painted Shallow Bookcase

Located in Dallas, TX

Antique French Louis XVI painted shallow bookcase features a nice, low profile as well as a shallow

Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Antique French Louis XVI Painted Shallow Bookcase
Antique French Louis XVI Painted Shallow Bookcase

Antique French Louis XVI Painted Shallow Bookcase

Located in Dallas, TX

Antique French Louis XVI painted shallow bookcase features a nice, low profile as well as a shallow

Category

Mid-20th Century French Louis XVI Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Baker Federal Sheraton Style Shallow Depth China Cabinet Breakfront Bookcase
Baker Federal Sheraton Style Shallow Depth China Cabinet Breakfront Bookcase

Baker Federal Sheraton Style Shallow Depth China Cabinet Breakfront Bookcase

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in Swedesboro, NJ

This is a beautiful Baker mahogany breakfront. This two piece breakfront measures 87 tall x 69 wide x 13 inches deep so it can be used in many places that deeper breakfronts can't be...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Federal Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Mid-Century Modern Satinwood Bookcase Cabinet
Mid-Century Modern Satinwood Bookcase Cabinet

Mid-Century Modern Satinwood Bookcase Cabinet

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Long, shallow, Mid-Century Modern, satinwood, bookcase cabinet features shelves and closed middle

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Satinwood

Danish Modern Rosewood Modular Bookcase Wall System by Henning Kjaernulf
Danish Modern Rosewood Modular Bookcase Wall System by Henning Kjaernulf

Danish Modern Rosewood Modular Bookcase Wall System by Henning Kjaernulf

By Henning Kjærnulf

Located in New York, NY

Handsome and uber functional 1960's Rosewood Modular Wall System. Features shallow bookcases

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Bookcases

Materials

Brass

French Antique Walnut Display Cabinet/ Bookcase, Shallow Depth, circa 1870
French Antique Walnut Display Cabinet/ Bookcase, Shallow Depth, circa 1870

French Antique Walnut Display Cabinet/ Bookcase, Shallow Depth, circa 1870

Located in Houston, TX

Receive our new selections direct from 1stdibs by email each week. Please click Follow Dealer below and see them first! A handsome antique French Henri II style walnut bibliothèq...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

English Pine Bookcase
English Pine Bookcase

English Pine Bookcase

Sold

H 53.5 in W 23.75 in D 6.5 in

English Pine Bookcase

Located in Southampton, NY

A Shallow Pine Bookcase both Functional and Handsome.

Category

Early 20th Century English Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Georgian Mahogany Bookcase
Georgian Mahogany Bookcase

Georgian Mahogany Bookcase

Sold

H 91.5 in W 51.5 in D 9.75 in

Georgian Mahogany Bookcase

Located in London, GB

bookcase's shallow depth means that it can fit in almost any room and its rectangular glazing bars make ideal

Category

Antique 1750s English George II Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Louis Philippe Tall, Shallow Walnut Display Cabinet/Bibliotheque, France c. 1870
Louis Philippe Tall, Shallow Walnut Display Cabinet/Bibliotheque, France c. 1870

Louis Philippe Tall, Shallow Walnut Display Cabinet/Bibliotheque, France c. 1870

Located in Houston, TX

within and may be repainted if desired. Please also note the amazing shallow depth of this bibliotheque

Category

Antique 19th Century French Louis Philippe Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

George III Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase
George III Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase

George III Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase

Sold

H 83 in W 34 in D 20 in

George III Mahogany Secretaire Bookcase

Located in Altrincham, Cheshire

George III mahogany secretaire bookcase, shallow flared cornice above a figured frieze, glazed

Category

Antique Late 18th Century British Bookcases

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Regency Pair of Mahogany Open Bookcases
Regency Pair of Mahogany Open Bookcases

Regency Pair of Mahogany Open Bookcases

Sold

H 44.25 in W 25.5 in D 8 in

Regency Pair of Mahogany Open Bookcases

Located in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire

Regency pair of mahogany open bookcases of shallow proportions, the rectangular tops with a

Category

Antique 1820s English Regency Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

A neoclassical display cabinet?bookcase from Italy c.1900
A neoclassical display cabinet?bookcase from Italy c.1900

A neoclassical display cabinet?bookcase from Italy c.1900

Located in Houston, TX

An imposing neoclassical display cabinet/bookcase of shallow depth retaining its original painted

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Bookcases

Neoclassical Painted and Gilded Bookcase from Italy c.1900
Neoclassical Painted and Gilded Bookcase from Italy c.1900

Neoclassical Painted and Gilded Bookcase from Italy c.1900

Located in Houston, TX

An imposing Neoclassical display cabinet/bookcase of shallow depth retaining its original painted

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Neoclassical Bookcases

Materials

Giltwood

Antique English George III Mahogany Bookcase Display Cabinet, circa 1780
Antique English George III Mahogany Bookcase Display Cabinet, circa 1780

Antique English George III Mahogany Bookcase Display Cabinet, circa 1780

Located in Houston, TX

extraordinarily shallow depth of this English bookcase is most rare. All 12 drawers retain their original oval

Category

Antique 1780s English George III Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Slender and tall carved oak bibliotheque from France c. 1890
Slender and tall carved oak bibliotheque from France c. 1890

Slender and tall carved oak bibliotheque from France c. 1890

Located in Houston, TX

handsome symmetry of the cabinet. Please note as well the unusual shallow depth of the bookcase that

Category

Antique 19th Century French Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Shallow Antique English Painted Oak Display Cabinet Bookcase, circa 1875
Shallow Antique English Painted Oak Display Cabinet Bookcase, circa 1875

Shallow Antique English Painted Oak Display Cabinet Bookcase, circa 1875

Located in Houston, TX

and see them first! Shallow antique English painted oak display cabinet bookcase circa 1875. The

Category

Antique 1870s English Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Pair of Bookcases, American 19th Century
Pair of Bookcases, American 19th Century

Pair of Bookcases, American 19th Century

Sold

H 54.25 in W 43 in D 13.5 in

Pair of Bookcases, American 19th Century

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Pair of handsome shallow pine shelves or bookcases, each with stepped shelves and two dovetailed

Category

Antique 1860s American Country Bookcases

Materials

Pine

People Also Browsed

L&JG Stickley Open Bookcase with Chamfered Board Back (2 Available)
L&JG Stickley Open Bookcase with Chamfered Board Back (2 Available)

L&JG Stickley Open Bookcase with Chamfered Board Back (2 Available)

By L. & J.G. Stickley Inc.

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

L&JG Stickley open bookcase with chamfered board back and tenon & key construction c1906-1912. Stickley is a furniture brand that offers both Arts and Crafts and Mission-style furni...

Category

Antique Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Oak

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Shallow Bookcases For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of shallow bookcases available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, mahogany and oak, all shallow bookcases available were constructed with great care. We have 91 antique and vintage shallow bookcases in-stock, while there are 2 modern editions to choose from as well. Shallow bookcases have long been popular, with older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. Victorian, Mid-Century Modern and Regency shallow bookcases are consistently popular styles. Large shallow bookcases can prove too imposing for some spaces, so the smaller shallow bookcases available at 1stDibs — each spanning 12.25 inches in width — may make for a better choice. Shallow bookcases have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by George Nelson, Baker Furniture Company and Gunni Omann are consistently popular.

How Much are Shallow Bookcases?

Shallow bookcases can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $4,746, while the lowest priced sells for $695 and the highest can go for as much as $107,570.

Finding the Right Bookcases for You

Whether you proudly shelve your books in regal mahogany or behind glass cabinet doors, an antique bookcase — or perhaps more than one — is essential to creating a cozy nook for any book lover.

As long as curious people have collected stories, we have needed a place to stow them away and preserve them. When auction houses and book dealers proliferated by the late 17th century, the bibliophile was born. And, of course, as with any treasured decorative objects or collectibles, a book lover’s volumes were suddenly worthy of a luxurious display — enter the bookcase.

Americans of means during the 19th century took to amassing art as well as rare books, and bookcases of the era — rife with hand-carved decorative accents and architectural motifs — were ideal for displaying their handsome leather-bound wares.

Although our favorite titles may change over the years, the functionality and beauty of their home within our home is timeless. Even those who don’t covet the perfect home library can benefit from an attractive display case, as bookcases can easily double as charming étagères

Contemporary and customizable options make it easier for you to find the perfect bookcase for your style and stacks. If you don’t wish to fill your storage piece so that your collection is snug within its confines, incorporate extra space to allow for additional displays and decorative objects. And by introducing a striking dark wood Art Deco bookcase or low-profile mid-century modern design by Paul McCobb into your living room, your signed first editions won’t be the only items making a statement. 

Find barrister bookcases, Globe Wernicke bookcases, bookcases with doors and other vintage and antique bookcases on 1stDibs now.

Questions About Shallow Bookcases
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    An ideal bookcase depth is usually between 10 and 12 inches. Shelf spacing can range from 7 to 15 inches for bookshelves, with 8 to 12 inches being the most typical. Because compact bookcases are designed for lesser volumes and libraries, they will be shallower. A small bookcase's depth is usually around 6 inches. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of antique and vintage bookcases.

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