Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

American, 1923-1985

Though much of Arthur Umanoff's furniture is marked by a no-frills simplicity common in American mid-century modern design, his work is anything but one-note. Over the course of a prolific career, Umanoff designed everything from case pieces to candleholders to magazine racks to dining chairs in iron, leather, walnut, wicker and more. With furnishings for a broad range of manufacturers throughout the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and early ’80s, Umanoff continued a thread of sculptural elegance and textural sensitivity through his designs.

After graduating from Pratt Institute in the early 1950s, Umanoff experimented mostly with wood furniture before landing a job at Post Modern Ltd, a New York manufacturer of wrought-iron furniture. There he produced furnishings that married wrought iron with wood and plastic, creating functional pieces free of utilitarian bulkiness.

Umanoff continued his experimentation with mixed materials through a partnership with Shaver Howard, for whom he designed wine racks in combinations of iron, leather and wicker.

When Shaver Howard bought Boyeur Scott, Umanoff conceived several furniture designs for the brand, including the 1964 Granada collection, whose curlicue iron bases, visible through glass tops, stand out as some of his most ornate and decorative work. Indeed, much of Umanoff’s oeuvre is far more simplistic, like iron-and-pine armchairs for The Elton Co. or low-backed, slatted-seat barstools with slender iron legs for Raymor.

Umanoff was fluent, too, in the more sumptuous modernism of the era: In the mid-1960s, he designed the 2405 and 4449 armchairs for Madison Furniture Industries. Popular in offices, the walnut-framed, leather-upholstered seats, which could have been mistaken for the seductive Scandinavian modern seating of the era, were reportedly the jumping-off point for Captain Kirk’s iconic seat on Star Trek.

Even as he is among the mid-century modern designers you may not know, with work across such a range of styles and manufacturers (most no longer in business), Umanoff, who died in 1985, leaves a legacy that is fascinatingly diverse and at times enticingly elusive, making his work intriguing objects for collectors.

Find vintage Arthur Umanoff bar stools, tables, benches and other furniture today on 1stDibs.

Creator: Arthur Umanoff

Mid-Century Modern Rattan Arthur Umanoff Design Étagère Room Divider

$1,920Sale Price|40% Off

Mid-Century Modern Rattan Arthur Umanoff Design Étagère Room Divider

By Arthur Umanoff

Located in Las Vegas, NV

RARE and Unique iron, wood and woven faux grass étagère designed by Arthur Umanoff for the Mayan collection by Shaver Howard Furniture CO. and produce...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Vintage 1960s Arthur Umanoff Iron Oak Étagère Room Divider Shelving Unit

$2,495

Vintage 1960s Arthur Umanoff Iron Oak Étagère Room Divider Shelving Unit

By Arthur Umanoff

Located in Delray Beach, FL

Striking vintage Arthur Umanoff shelving unit dating to the 1960s. Constructed with a solid iron frame featuring a decorative sun motif and woven, plastic-coated fiber detailing. Th...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Iron

Shelving Unit or Bookcase, Modern Chrome Shelving, Midcentury Design, 1960

$3,400

H 67 in W 18 in D 18 in L 67 in

Shelving Unit or Bookcase, Modern Chrome Shelving, Midcentury Design, 1960

Located in New York, NY

A fantastic square, chrome shelving unit from the 1960's. Finished all around. Can be floating in a room for decorative objects. Glass shelves ar...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 S" in Oak by Casey Lurie Studio

$4,500 / item

H 30 in W 75 in D 12 in

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 Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Etagere Bookcase Shelving Unit in Walnut and Metal

$3,950

H 81.5 in W 24 in D 20 in

Etagere Bookcase Shelving Unit in Walnut and Metal

Located in North York, ON

This exquisite etagere bookcase is sure to make a statement in any room with its traditional styling and modern flare. The 6 stunning walnut shelves are supported by long metal tubed...

Category

2010s American American Craftsman Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Metal

1970s Sculptural Rattan & Glass Etagere

$1,560Sale Price|20% Off

H 75 in W 32 in D 18 in

1970s Sculptural Rattan & Glass Etagere

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

1970s sculptural rattan & glass etagere The case with continuous book-matched rattan The upper section measures 24.5" W x 43" H, fitted with two 2...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Rattan, Glass

Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood Credenza by Arthur Umanoff for Dillingham

$4,995

H 28.5 in W 55.5 in D 19.5 in

Mid-Century Modern Burl Wood Credenza by Arthur Umanoff for Dillingham

By Arthur Umanoff, Dillingham Manufacturing Company

Located in North Hollywood, CA

An exceptional vintage burl wood credenza designed by American designer Arthur Umanoff for Dillingham, circa 1970s. Widely recognized for his refined approach to mid-century design, ...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Burl, Lacquer

Mid Century Modern Burl Credenza by Arthur Umanoff

$4,495

H 28 in W 55 in D 19 in

Mid Century Modern Burl Credenza by Arthur Umanoff

By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Arthur Umanoff

Located in Raleigh, NC

Exceptional 1970s Burl Wood Credenza by Arthur Umanoff for Dillingham This remarkable credenza showcases Arthur Umanoff's distinctive design aesthetic for Dillingham, dating to appr...

Category

Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Burl

Mid-Century American Plywood ZigZag Étagère, Geometric Design, 1950s

$1,850

H 51 in W 50 in D 16 in

Mid-Century American Plywood ZigZag Étagère, Geometric Design, 1950s

Located in Queens, NY

American Mid-Century blond plywood "ZigZag" etagere shelf unit with geometric design pigeon holes of various shapes.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Evans Clark for Glenn of California Mid Century Walnut Room Divider Bookshelf

$10,395

H 60.25 in W 64 in D 8 in

Evans Clark for Glenn of California Mid Century Walnut Room Divider Bookshelf

By Evans Clark, Glenn of California

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Evans Clark for Glenn of California Mid Century Walnut Room Divider Bookshelf The closed room divider measures: 32 wide x 16 deep x 60.25 inche...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Slat Dry Bar for Shaver Howard, 1950's

$2,250

H 42 in W 41.5 in D 20.5 in

Mid Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Slat Dry Bar for Shaver Howard, 1950's

By Arthur Umanoff

Located in Bedford Hills, NY

Features Umanoff's signature vertical wood slatting and a minimalist black iron base that eliminates "utilitarian bulkiness". Designed for both style and utility, it includes a dura...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Wrought Iron

Mid-century Italian Bookcase Or Shelving Unit, 1960's

$4,447

H 61.03 in W 55.12 in D 12.21 in

Mid-century Italian Bookcase Or Shelving Unit, 1960's

Located in Antwerp, Antwerp

A unique 1960’s bookcase or shelving unit. Italian designer manufacturing, consisting out of a brass structure with wooden shelves. Wear consistent with age and use. Heavily patinate...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 L" in Oak by Casey Lurie Studio

$9,300 / item

H 75 in W 75 in D 12 in

Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 L" 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 Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Italian Wall Unit, 1960s

$5,268

H 88.19 in W 109.45 in D 16.15 in

Italian Wall Unit, 1960s

Located in bruxelles, BE

Modular wall unit with 5 shelves, 1 box with two sliding doors and 3 drawers, and 1 box with two sliding doors and another door. Wear due to time and age. FOR SHIPPING, REQUEST US FO...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items

Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard Iron Freestanding Shelving Unit/Etagere

Sold

H 56 in W 15.75 in D 14.25 in

Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard Iron Freestanding Shelving Unit/Etagere

By Arthur Umanoff

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Sculptural wrought iron shelving unit designed by Arthur Umanoff for Shaver Howard. Unique, graceful form with three hexagonal shelves in faux wo...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Iron

Arthur Umanoff Double-Sided Room Divider Shelving Unit

Sold

H 75 in W 25.5 in D 12.5 in

Arthur Umanoff Double-Sided Room Divider Shelving Unit

By Arthur Umanoff

Located in Long Island City, NY

This Arthur Umanoff double-sided room divider shelving unit is both functional and mesmerizing featuring masonite red and citron panel slidi...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Arthur Umanoff Bookcases

Materials

Natural Fiber, Wood, Masonite

Arthur Umanoff bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Arthur Umanoff bookcases are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Arthur Umanoff bookcases, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original bookcases by Arthur Umanoff were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider bookcases by Drexel, Heywood-Wakefield Co., and Edward Wormley. Prices for Arthur Umanoff bookcases can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,800 and can go as high as $2,400, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,100.