Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

1911-1986

Edmond J. Spence played an important role in promoting the tenets of Scandinavian modernism in the United States but his name remains conspicuously omitted from the history books. He was an American furniture designer who is known for having introduced the West to unfamiliar cultural tastes and translating their subtleties to appeal to mid-century-era consumers.

Spence honed his eye for good craftsmanship as a young man. His family owned a furniture manufacturing company based in Batavia, New York. While not much has been reported about his schooling, it was not long before he started designing his own nightstands, end tables, chairs and more — all of which exhibited the appealing traits associated with mid-century modern furniture. Spence experimented with form and ornament owing to inspiration he gathered from international influences.

During the 1950s, Spence drew on Asian and Swedish influences in developing ideas for his own style of modern furniture. He incorporated aspects of Mexican design to create the Continental-American collection. Manufactured in 1953 by Industria Mueblera, this collection of sculptural wooden furnishings with brass details epitomizes Spence’s ability to draw attention to the most integral parts of global design while adding his own modern spin. The designer’s Coronation Group — a series of dressers, cabinets and more in blonde woods that featured decorative birch veneers — was built by artisans in Sweden and imported for sale to postwar homeowners in the United States by Massachusetts furniture company Walpole.

Spence’s “Peineta” chair — a work of mahogany, plywood and woven palm that is demonstrative of Spanish Colonial influences and is part of the Continental-American line — has long been on display in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art while other works are held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. And if Spence hadn’t captured the hearts of Americans by way of Industria Mueblera showrooms and alluring ads in Interiors magazine, some of his furniture was used as set decoration for the widely loved sitcom I Love Lucy.

Find vintage Edmond J. Spence seating, storage and case pieces, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Creator: Edmond J. Spence

Edmond Spence Blonde Wood Swedish Modern Hanging Bookcase w/ Glass Sliding doors

$1,800

Edmond Spence Blonde Wood Swedish Modern Hanging Bookcase w/ Glass Sliding doors

By Edmond J. Spence, Heywood-Wakefield Co.

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Swedish modern bookcase with glass sliding doors.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Birch

Edmond Spence Drop Front Desk for Industria Mueblera S. A. Mexico, c. 1955

$9,000

Edmond Spence Drop Front Desk for Industria Mueblera S. A. Mexico, c. 1955

By Edmond J. Spence, Industria Mueblera Mexico

Located in Camden, ME

Edmond Spence two piece drop front desk with a matched bookcase manufactured in Mexico by Industria Meublera S.A. in the late 1950s or early 1960s. An interesting blend of design inf...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Cabinet Robert Heritage

$643Sale Price|20% Off

H 40.16 in W 60.24 in D 10.63 in

Mid-Century Modern Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Cabinet Robert Heritage

By Robert Heritage

Located in Leicester, GB

We can ship directly to you - please contact us with your country & postcode for an accurate delivery price. Shipping to the US £450 in a custom made crate A beautiful long slim gla...

Category

1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Hardwood

Grand Scale Mahogany Custom Bookcase with Leaded Glass Sliding Doors

$1,450

H 96.5 in W 80 in D 17 in

Grand Scale Mahogany Custom Bookcase with Leaded Glass Sliding Doors

Located in Milford, NH

A fine large two-door bookcase with sliding leaded glass doors and adjustable shelves, originally a built-in floor to ceiling piece, with a cut-in on the left side, built around heat...

Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Henredon Georgian Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch

$2,695

H 82 in W 36 in D 18.5 in

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 Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Exquisite Credenza by Edmond J. Spence made by Industria Mueblera Mexico

$9,000Sale Price|40% Off

H 33 in W 81 in D 20 in

Exquisite Credenza by Edmond J. Spence made by Industria Mueblera Mexico

By Edmond J. Spence, Industria Mueblera Mexico

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This is an extraordinary credenza cabinet or sideboard designed by Swedish designer Edmond J. Spence. This Beautiful piece showcases Spence's exceptional talent and reflects his uniq...

Category

1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Iron

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 Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Rattan, Glass

Mid-Century Modern Freestanding Bookshelf with Cabinet

$1,500

H 72 in W 28.5 in D 17 in

Mid-Century Modern Freestanding Bookshelf with Cabinet

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This vintage freestanding unit makes a wonderful addition to any home or office. Dual cabinets, including a lower record cabinet, make this ideal for...

Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

1950s Edmond Spence Mahogany Credenza for Industria Meublera Mexican Modernism

$5,625

H 31.5 in W 52.75 in D 23.25 in

1950s Edmond Spence Mahogany Credenza for Industria Meublera Mexican Modernism

By Edmond J. Spence, Industria Mueblera Mexico

Located in Virginia Beach, VA

A two door server designed by Edmond Spence for Industria Meublera for the Aztec Line. Mexican Modernism at its finest, this piece consists of solid mahogany. Not a veneer present. Dovetailed box, floating on 4 offset legs. The doors with wood Carving in relief effect, used lavishly in multiple frame like borders to focus interest on the special designed massively scaled silver door handles...

Category

1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Mid-Century Swedish Modern Edmond Spence Brutalust 8-Drawer Dresser

$4,995

H 32.5 in W 78 in D 20 in

Mid-Century Swedish Modern Edmond Spence Brutalust 8-Drawer Dresser

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Clarksboro, NJ

Make a bold statement with this rare circa 1960s Mid-Century Modern Brutalist 8-drawer dresser, designed by Edmond J. Spence and made in Sweden. The dramatic sculpted drawer fronts c...

Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Mid Century Edmond J Spence Swedish Glass Hutch Credenza

$2,240Sale Price|67% Off

H 72 in W 72 in D 19.5 in

Mid Century Edmond J Spence Swedish Glass Hutch Credenza

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Esperance, NY

This exquisite piece of furniture is entirely original and was acquired directly from the original owner. The photographs truly do not capture its full beauty. The wood is remarkable...

Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Glass

Drexel Sandia Collection Jacobean Drop-Front Desk

$3,500

H 37.5 in W 37 in D 17.25 in

Drexel Sandia Collection Jacobean Drop-Front Desk

By Drexel

Located in Chicago, IL

Drexel drop front desk from the Sandia Collection, circa 1960s. Interesting writing desk marrying the form of a Govenor Winthrop drop front desk with early English Jacobean...

Category

1970s American Vintage Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Edmond J. Spence, Dresser, Birch, Sweden, 1950s

$11,750

H 32.25 in W 71.75 in D 20 in

Edmond J. Spence, Dresser, Birch, Sweden, 1950s

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in High Point, NC

A birch dresser designed and produced by American designer Edmond J. Spence and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 32.25"H x 71.75"W x 20.0"D All items ship...

Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Birch

Edmond Spence Highboy "Checkerboard" Dresser

$3,000

H 48.25 in W 41 in D 20 in

Edmond Spence Highboy "Checkerboard" Dresser

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This Edmond Spence designed midcentury dresser features stunning marquetry combined with carefully sculpted "Checkerboard" front. Four lower drawers offer spacious storage while top ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Previously Available Items

Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Ebonized Bookcase on Hairpin Legs, Newly Refinished

Sold

H 50.5 in W 52.25 in D 15.25 in

Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Ebonized Bookcase on Hairpin Legs, Newly Refinished

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional midcentury Swedish Modern ebonized glass front bookcase cabinet on hairpin legs By Edmond Spence Sweden, 1950s Newly ebonized birch case, with glass doors and...

Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Swedish Mid Century Modern Bookcase by Edmund Spence

Sold

H 42 in W 52 in D 14 in

Swedish Mid Century Modern Bookcase by Edmund Spence

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Very nice Swedish modern bookcase with multiple sliding doors by Edmund Spence. Blond birch wood with some burl elements and caned doors.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Bookcases

Materials

Birch

Edmond J. Spence bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Edmond J. Spence bookcases 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 Edmond J. Spence bookcases, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original bookcases by Edmond J. Spence 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 bookcases by Maitland Smith, Paul McCobb, and Design Institute America. Prices for Edmond J. Spence 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 $9,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,400.