Grand Rapids, Michigan, was once known as “Furniture City” for its local mass-production industry that flourished from the mid-19th century into the early 20th century, led by furniture manufacturers like John Stuart. Stuart’s eponymous company, which would build showrooms in New York and Philadelphia, designed and sold elegant reproductions of various furniture styles, including 18th-century French and English furniture as well as what we now call mid-century modern home furnishings built by European craftsmen in the entrepreneur’s Grand Rapids factory.
In 1845, a British cabinetmaker named George Widdicomb arrived in New York before moving to Grand Rapids. There he set up a small cabinet shop in 1857 with a dozen craftsmen, including his son John Widdicomb. The store quickly found success due to Widdicomb’s English training and the dearth of other quality furniture makers in the region. Toward the end of the 19th century, Grand Rapids had earned an international reputation as a leader of American furniture manufacturing, and while the Widdicomb family would navigate some difficulty after the Civil War, they emerged anew as Widdicomb Brothers and Richards, and then the Widdicomb Furniture Company. Widdicomb’s son started his own company in 1897, the John Widdicomb Company, and in 1929, the Grand Rapids–born John Stuart joined the company as a director.
Stuart, who had been in the furniture industry since 1913, was named president of John Widdicomb Company in the early 1940s and by then had formed John Stuart, Inc., with partner Herbert M. Rothschild. John Stuart, Inc.’s offerings included oak buffets and other dining-room furnishings crafted in the Tudor and Elizabethan styles, with cabinet doors and drawer fronts characterized by meticulously carved natural-world motifs and other decorative flourishes. Stuart also oversaw the design of reproductions of sophisticated walnut and mahogany Queen Anne side tables and dining chairs, with the latter marked by pronounced, vase-shaped curves in the back splats and cabriole legs. In 1952, the manufacturer and distributor’s founder sold the business, including the right to trade under his name, to the John Widdicomb Company.
Find a wide variety of vintage John Stuart furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century Milo Baughman for John Stuart Chrome Open Frame Bookcase
By John Stuart
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Milo Baughman for John Stuart chrome framed bookcase. Open design with adjustable shelves for versatility. Curbside to NYC/Philly $300
Chrome
John Stuart Georgian Burl Wood Drop Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase Hutch
By John Stuart
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Queen Anne style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top By John Stuart USA, circa 1960s Gorgeous burled walnut, with leather wr...
Brass
Mid Century Milo Baughman for John Stuart Chrome Frame Rosewood Bookcase
By John Stuart
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Milo Baughman for John Stuart chrome framed bookcase. Black Lacquer with Rosewood Doors. 2 rosewood doors with chrome handles open to shelved interi...
Chrome
Geometric Mid Century Open Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Finished in Batavia Black with a Sandbar finish interior, this bookcase showcases rhythmic, crescent-shaped oval cut-outs that form an architectural silhouette—an homage to the sculp...
Wood
Danish Mid Century Rosewood Bookcase by Farso Møbelfabrik
By Farso Mobelfabrik
Located in BERKEL EN RODENRIJS, NL
Elegant Danish mid-century bookcase designed and manufactured by Omann Jun, Model 9. Crafted from richly grained rosewood, this piece showcases the refined craftsmanship and timeless...
Rosewood
$1,596Sale Price|20% Off
H 88.38 in W 43 in D 21 in
Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top In the manner of Jasper Furniture Company USA, Late 20th Century Black lacquered...
Brass
A Stunning Mid Century Design Walnut and Chrome Open Bookcase
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning mid century design richly patinated walnut and chrome open bookcase of exceptional quality and finely carved with a gorgeous clean simple design with fabulous chrome accen...
Chrome
Milo Baughman Bookcase for Glenn of California, 1955
By Milo Baughman
Located in Coronado, CA
Milo Baughman walnut bookshelf manufactured by Glenn of California in 1955. This clever design features three shelves and five solid walnut legs supported by winged brackets. It is p...
Walnut
Swedish mid century elm low open bookcase
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish mid century elm low open bookcase circa 1950. Fine quality stylish piece of mid century scandinavian furniture design. Central lockable cupboard containing a single shelf, ...
Elm
$2,300
H 76 in W 42 in D 16 in
Milo Baughman Style Mid-Century Modern Chrome and Glass A-Symmetrical Étagère
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Classic 1970s design in the style of Milo Baughman. This étagère features a chrome-plated steel construction with inlayed glass shelving. In beautiful well cared for condition.
Steel, Chrome
Milo Baughman Chrome and Glass Etagere/Bookshelf, 1960
By Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Milo Baughman Chrome and Glass Etagere/Bookshelf, 1960. Original in great condition. Measures 76" tall 16" deep 38" long
Chrome
$1,095
H 21 in W 32.75 in D 18 in
Newly Refinished- Milo Baughman Walnut Credenza/Bookcase for Glenn of California
By Glenn of California, Milo Baughman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage desig...
Walnut
$1,095
H 21 in W 32.75 in D 18 in
Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Walnut Credenza/Bookcase by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Glenn of California
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage desig...
Walnut
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
H 88.38 in W 43 in D 21 in
Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top In the manner of Jasper Furniture Company USA, Late 20th Century Black lacquered...
Brass
Mid century Scandinavian low open bookcase in elm
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid century Scandinavian low open bookcase in elm circa 1950. Here we offer a Swedish small sideboard bookcase combination, which offers plenty of storage while only using a small f...
Elm
Sold
H 37 in W 35.5 in D 10.75 in
Solid Teak Bookcase By Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen -Denmark Circa 1960
By Asbjørn-Mobler 1, Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen, Peter Hvidt, John Stuart
Located in Southampton, NJ
An elegant minimalist teak bookcase having box-joint corners signature in design to Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen. Stunning grain throughout with ample shelf space. Shelves are...
Aluminum
Sold
H 84 in W 38 in D 15.5 in
Pair Mid-Century Modern Bookcases / Shelving Unit, Milo Baughman for John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair Mid-Century Modern Bookcases / Shelving Unit, Milo Baughman for John Stuart Set of mid-century shelving units designed by Milo...
Chrome
Vintage John Stuart Two Piece Breakfront
By John Stuart
Located in Annville, PA
A Vintage John Stuart Two Piece Breakfront with serpentine front. This china closet is impressive in both it’s design and scale. Made of beautifully grained mahogany, the bookcase to...
Brass
Sold
H 81 in W 68 in D 19 in
Finn Juhl Modular Teak ‘Cresco’ Modular Shelving France & Son Danish, Denmark
By Finn Juhl, France & Søn, John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Finn Juhl modular teak ‘Cresco’ modular shelving France & Son Danish, Denmark. Finn Juhl Cresco teak wall unit/room divider of two cabinets with ...
Teak
Sold
H 37.13 in W 35.5 in D 10.75 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Molgaard-Nielsen for John Stuart Solid Teak Bookcase Cabinet
By John Stuart, Hvidt & Mølgaard, Ole Wanscher
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Designed by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard-Nielsen for John Stuart. True solid teak, no plywood or MDF (except for shelves and back panel). The finger joinery is clearly visible from a ...
Teak
Sold
H 67 in W 35.63 in D 18.88 in
Peter Hvidt & Orla Mørlgaard for John Stuart Mid-Century Modern Bookcase Cabinet
By Hvidt & Mølgaard, John Stuart
Located in Shippensburg, PA
With the exposed finger-joinery and the distinctive sculpted teak pulls signature to Peter Hvidt and Orla Mølgaard Nielsen’s designs, this two-part bookcase-over-cabinet is a powerfu...
Teak
Sold
H 67 in W 35 in D 19 in
Peter Hvidt Solid Teak Bookcase Two Doors Chest of Drawers Cabinet Dowel Legs
By John Stuart, Hvidt & Mølgaard
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Magnificent solid teak design cabinet by Peter Hvidt.
Teak