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.
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.
Birch
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...
Glass, Mahogany
$811
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...
Hardwood
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...
Walnut
$2,950
H 31 in W 48.75 in D 14 in
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Widdicomb Walnut Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Mid Century
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A Mid Century walnut bookcase with sliding glass doors designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb. Fully marked on the bottom and produced in September of 1951.
Glass, Walnut
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...
Rattan, Glass
$750
H 50.5 in W 33 in D 13 in
Globe Wernicke Steel Metal Glass Sliding Door 3 Section Stacking Bookcase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Globe Wernicke Steel Metal Glass Sliding Door 3 Section Stacking Barrister Lawyers Bookcase. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: 50.5" H x 33" W x 13" D
Steel
André Sornay Rare Bookcase with Sliding-Doors
By Andre Sornay
Located in Waalwijk, NL
André Sornay, library bookcase, mahogany, lacquered wood, France, 1950s/1960s This rare bookcase is exemplary of his later work and showcases his innovative use of the patented tige...
Glass, Wood, Mahogany
$618
H 33.47 in W 41.74 in D 10.63 in
Elegant Mid-Century vintage bookcase with sliding glass doors by Turnidge
Located in London, GB
A teak bookcase with single cupboard. The two glass shelves are fronted by sliding glass doors. The bookcase features subtle design details: a black metal and brass door handle and m...
Brass
Edmond J Spence, Swedish Modern, Maple, Rare Wave Dresser, 1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Manhasset, NY
Edmund J Spence, Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Burled Maple, Rare "Wave" Dresser, 1950s Swedish modern double dresser or sideboard designed by Edmond J. Spence and produced in Sweden ...
Maple
$9,000
H 72 in W 66 in D 19 in
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...
Brass
Italian Modern Glass and Aluminum Wall Mounted Shelf
By Giuseppe Bavuso, Rimadesio
Located in Boston, MA
The Eos Shelf, designed by Giuseppe Bavuso, is an innovative wall shelving system. With a thickness of only 8 mm, the Eos design combines a lacquered glass top with a lacquered alumi...
Aluminum
$2,280Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 33.5 in W 36 in D 12 in
Swedish Midcentury Bookshelf by Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Swedish-made blonde Mid-Century Modern bookshelf pair with three floating shelves each designed by Edmond Spence for Walpole. Attractive joinery and a v...
Wood