Calvin
American
The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company Calvin Furniture opened its doors in 1953 and became a sought-after contract manufacturer for the day’s top furniture designers and brands. Its appealing mid-century modern and Hollywood Regency offerings — nightstands, dressers and more — graced the showrooms of department stores all over North America during the 1950s and 1960s.
Calvin’s relationship with the work of Massachusetts-born designer Paul McCobb is well known to enthusiasts of mid-century modern furniture. McCobb, whose unadorned and efficient storage pieces, seating and desks drew on Shaker simplicity and Bauhaus minimalism, wasn’t exactly a designer for Calvin — in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company in Manhattan in 1949, and Calvin was one of the manufacturers contracted to produce the furniture he designed for Directional (and later, for pieces designed under his own name).
Among McCobb’s most acclaimed lines made by Calvin Furniture were the Calvin Group and the Irwin Collection. The travertine-topped sideboards and mahogany nightstands of those lines as well as the other Calvin-produced dressers, bookcases and chests of drawers designed by McCobb were elegant and spare, free of unnecessary embellishments.
Calvin also manufactured the very popular American Design Foundation line of furniture that Kipp Stewart and Stewart MacDougall designed. The Pennsylvania-born, California-raised MacDougall enjoyed a postwar collaboration with West Coast native Stewart that resulted in great success with manufacturers such as Glenn of California and Drexel Furniture. The duo’s celebrated Declaration line for the latter featured streamlined credenzas, dressers and more made in walnut with comely porcelain hardware. The dining chairs, tables and coffee tables manufactured by Calvin flaunt the pair’s signature clean lines, gentle curves and organic shapes.
In the late 1950s and early ‘60s, Calvin Furniture continued its business relationship with B.G. Mesberg National Sales and Directional Furniture. Calvin finally closed their doors during the early 1970s, but their legacy can be found in enduring pieces of modern furniture that remain popular today.
On 1stDibs, find a selection of vintage Calvin Furniture tables, credenzas, chairs and more.
| Average Sold Price |
| $3,850 |
| Styles |
| Materials |
| Related Creators |
Paul McCobb "Irwin Collection" Credenza w/ Bi-Folding Doors
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb for Directional Mahogany, Brass, and Leather Credenza, Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern sliding door sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet
By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture
USA, 1950s
Mahogany, with brass ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin
Materials
Brass
H 36 in W 66 in D 19.25 in
Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb "Linear Group" 4-Drawer Dresser
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin
Materials
Walnut
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Black Lacquer and Brass End Tables or Nightstands
By Paul McCobb, Directional, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern end tables, side tables, or nightstands
By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection"
USA, 1950s
...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin
Materials
Brass
H 19.13 in W 24 in D 28 in
Paul McCobb, Dresser, Mahogany, Brass, USA, 1960s
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in High Point, NC
A brass and mahogany dresser designed by Paul McCobb and produced by Calvin Furniture, USA, c. 1960s.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Paul McCobb 4 Drawer Cabinet on Brass Base
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb rare 4 drawer dresser Irwin Collection by Calvin- Irwin Collection. Walnut Chest on a brass base. In wonderful original condition showing nice grain patterns an...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Calvin
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Walnut Gentleman's Chest, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern gentleman's chest of drawers
By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection"
USA, 1950s
Gorgeous book-matched...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb for Calvin Highboy Dresser
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Charleston, SC
1950s Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid-Century Modern Walnut Highboy Dresser, Newly Refinished
An exceptional mid-century modern six-drawer highboy dresser. Designed by Paul McCobb for C...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Calvin
Materials
Aluminum
Browse all Furniture from Calvin
Shop NowCalvin Sale Prices
This data represents a recent sample of sales made on 1stDibs during the specified years. All sales are anonymized.
| Sold Date | Sold Price | Category | Material | Creation Year | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| $3,850 |
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months |
| $1,345-$6,750 |
| Sold price range of items in the past 12 months |
Creators Similar to Calvin
Calvin furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Calvin furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Calvin furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Calvin were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Brown Saltman, Kipp Stewart, and Glenn of California. Prices for Calvin furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $350 and can go as high as $21,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,495.
Questions About Calvin
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024The difference between CK Calvin Klein and Calvin Klein is that one is a fashion line and the other is a fashion house. Designer Calvin Klein founded Calvin Klein in New York City in 1968. Over the years, the Calvin Klein company has produced numerous lines of clothing and accessories. One such line is CK Calvin Klein, a diffusion line of casual clothing and accessories sold at economical price points. On 1stDibs, explore a range of Calvin Klein pieces.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024The difference between Calvin Klein and Calvin Klein Collection is in what each name describes. Calvin Klein is the name of the overall fashion house founded by designer Calvin Klein in 1968. Until its discontinuation in 2019, the Calvin Klein Collection was the line of luxury clothing and accessories produced by the Calvin Klein company. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of Calvin Klein apparel and accessories.
- Why is Calvin Klein so popular?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024Calvin Klein is popular for a few reasons. Known for his minimalist, comfortable womenswear as well as a range of sexually provocative ad campaigns that continue to generate conversation decades later, Klein led the designer jeans craze of the late 1970s. The brand’s skirts, jackets, day dresses and shirts, sold at modest prices and frequently created in soft fabrics and understated neutral hues, are still versatile components of everyday wear. Controversial marketing helped broaden the label’s reach, too. During the 1980s, Klein’s jeans were promoted in scandalous ads featuring Brooke Shields and others that were banned by television stations and challenged by politicians. More eye-catching ad campaigns with up-and-coming models and celebrities like Kate Moss and Mark Wahlberg followed in the ‘90s, also bringing fresh attention to the brand. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Calvin Klein apparel and accessories.
- Why is Calvin Klein famous?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024Calvin Klein is famous for his work as a fashion designer. He is known for his minimalist, comfortable womenswear. During the 1970s, the American designer helped lead the denim craze, and he became the youngest-ever recipient of the Coty American Fashion Critics' Award in 1973. His jeans continued to dominate the market during the 1980s, a decade that also saw the Calvin Klein brand expand into men's and women's underwear. The brand Klein founded remains one of the best-known American fashion labels today. Shop a range of Calvin Klein apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024Calvin Klein became popular in the 1970s and ’80s. During that decade, the American fashion designer added sportswear, lingerie, blazers and a range of stylish accessories to his lines of apparel. He became the youngest-ever recipient of the Coty American Fashion Critics' Award in 1973, winning again in both of the subsequent two years.
Klein’s debut of his now-revered blue jeans in 1976 was somewhat of a failure — they were too expensive, and buyers complained about the fit. Late one night at Studio 54, the designer heard about the benefits that a licensing deal with apparel manufacturer Puritan Fashions might bring him. Two years later, Klein inked that deal and sold 200,000 pairs of his jeans, which were produced by Puritan, in a week.
A large percentage of Puritan’s sales in 1978 were owed to Klein’s blue jeans. This streak with denim carried on into the 1980s, when Klein competed with the likes of Jordache, Gloria Vanderbilt and other labels. Klein’s jeans were promoted in provocative ads featuring Brooke Shields and others. The decade also saw the debut of successful men's and women's underwear collections designed by Klein that were also the subjects of steamy marketing campaigns. Soon, Calvin Klein expanded to 12,000 American stores and retail locations in six other countries.
Find a selection of Calvin Klein apparel and accessories on 1stDibs. - Is Calvin Klein a good brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 13, 2024Yes, Calvin Klein is a good brand. Known for minimalist, comfortable womenswear as well as sexually provocative ad campaigns that continue to generate conversation decades later, Klein led the designer jeans craze of the late 1970s. The brand’s skirts, jackets, day dresses and shirts, sold at modest prices and frequently created in soft fabrics and understated neutral hues, are versatile components of everyday wear. Shop a range of Calvin Klein apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024Yes, Calvin Klein is considered designer. Generally, a designer brand is any that features pieces produced by a particular fashion designer. Calvin Klein fits the definition, having been founded by designer Calvin Klein in 1968. Following Klein's retirement in 2004, other designers, such as Eric Sedeño and Jessica Lomax, have served as creative directors for Calvin Klein. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Calvin Klein apparel and accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The Calvin Klein brand is known for their sensual ads featuring well-known celebrities as well as for producing simple, understated fashions. Among the brand's most popular offerings are fragrances, men's underwear and jeans for men, women and children. Find a range of Calvin Klein apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024The difference between Calvin Klein and Anne Klein is that they are two different companies. American designer Calvin Klein founded his eponymous brand in New York City in 1968. That same year in New York, American fashion designer Anne Klein established Anne Klein & Company. Although they share a surname, the two designers are not related, and neither are the brands they created. On 1stDibs, find a collection of Calvin Klein and Anne Klein apparel and accessories.