In as early as the 1920s, American furniture designer Merton Gershun created popular bedroom suites and more for the likes of Shelbyville, Indiana’s Albert Distinctive Modern Furniture Company. Later, he partnered with Dillingham Manufacturing, which had offices in Wisconsin and Mississippi and collaborated with the likes of Arthur Umanoff and Pierre Cardin. The world’s growing population of mid-century modern furniture devotees, however, know Gershun as having been American of Martinsville’s most prolific designer. Vintage Merton Gershun dressers, side tables, bed frames and other pieces are widely collected today.
Founded in the early 1900s by former tobacco producers, American of Martinsville eventually became one of the best known furniture manufacturers in the United States. Besides quality manufacturing, American of Martinsville is additionally recognized for having incorporated the day's trends in its designs. Inspired by designers like George Nakashima and Paul Laszlo, the brand was also known for innovations with wood.
Working with walnut and ebonized mahogany — and integrating decorative flourishes such as brass drawer pulls into his dressers and cane door fronts on his cabinets — Gershun designed numerous furniture lines for the company, including Dilettante, Fortissimo and others. The designer’s Dania collection, with its sleek walnut credenzas fitted with stylish brass accents and large drawers, has enjoyed popularity all over the world.
Gershun was passionate about bringing stylish pieces to American families but was also focused on affordability. His Harlequin line for American of Martinsville — the print ads for which read “SCULPTURED” and “BUDGET-PRICED” in bolded all-caps text — included bedroom and dining room furnishings in solid walnut. For Dillingham, Gershun designed the similarly well-received Esprit and Samara lines as well as other collections.
Gershun was particularly interested in creating furniture for small spaces and for postwar homeowners on a modest budget. He was a big proponent of incorporating international influences into his designs — he drew inspiration from Asia and created chinoiserie-style dressers in bleached walnut supported by ebonized wood bases. To Gershun, modern design was more than clean lines and sharp angles: it was about utility as well as beauty.
Find vintage Merton Gershun case pieces, tables, bedroom furniture and other furniture on 1stDibs.
American of Martinsville Dania Queen Size Bar Bed Headboard with Nightstands
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Mid-Century Modern queen size bed headboard with built-in nightstands. The 4004-14 “Bar Bed” is a part of American of Martinsville’s Dania Collection. Designed by Merton Gershun, this walnut bed...
Laminate, Walnut, Lacquer
American of Martinsville "Dania" Bar Bed Headboard by Merton Gershun
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elevate your bedroom with this iconic mid-century modern “Dania” bar bed headboard, designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville. A standout example of American modernist ...
Wood, Walnut
American of Martinsville Merton Gershun Urban Suburban Bed
By Merton Gershun
Located in Pasadena, TX
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville twin bed, circa 1960s. Designed in the 1960s for the Urban Suburban line. Headboard and footboard in maple....
Birch
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Urban Suburban Full Headboard
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Urban Suburban full headboard This headboard measures: 58 wide x 2 deep x 31 inches high A...
Wood
H 23 in W 22 in D 16.5 in
Single American of Martinsville Nightstand
By American of Martinsville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful walnut nightstand by American of Martinsville features the sturdy construction and fantastic wood grain the midcentury manufactu...
Walnut
H 24 in W 21 in D 16 in
Pair of Merton Gershun for Cavalier Mid-Century Modern Walnut Brass Nightstands
By Merton Gershun, Cavalier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Merton Gershun in the late 1960s for Cavalier, these nightstands or end tables feature a super refined design and great construction quality. Well built, they are constru...
Brass
H 24.75 in W 22 in D 17.5 in
American of Martinsville, Nighstands, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By American of Martinsville
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut nightstands produced by American of Martinsville, USA, c. 1950s. Wear to wood consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (inches): 24.75"H x 22.0"W x 17.5"D A...
Wood, Walnut
H 24 in W 24 in D 16 in
American of Martinsville Parquet Top White Nightstands, a Pair
By American of Martinsville
Located in Doylestown, PA
Pair of American of Martinsville Italian style nightstands. The stands are in original creamy white with a woodgrain parquet top. They fea...
Brass
H 38.25 in W 60 in D 2 in
Queen Headboard by American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This queen size headboard by Martinsville features a cutout design in warm walnut wood grain. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Walnut
H 35 in W 90 in D 2 in
Vintage MCM Headboard Queen by American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent Palm Beach Estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Vintage MCM headboard...
Mirror, Wood
H 24 in W 24 in D 18 in
American of Martinsville Fruitwood Bedside Table Nightstands
By American of Martinsville
Located in Germantown, MD
American of Martinsville Mid-Century Italian style bedside tables. Measures 24" in width X 18" in depth X 24" in height.
Fruitwood
H 22.75 in W 22 in D 16 in
Mid-Century Modern Nightstands by American of Martinsville, a Pair
By American of Martinsville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern nightstands manufactured by American of Martinsville. Well-built frame with walnut veneer exterior. A nice addition to any modern interior. Please ...
Walnut
H 24.25 in W 36 in D 19.25 in
Low Nightstands by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, USA 1960's
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing a pair of exquisite Low Nightstands by renowned designer Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, crafted in the United States of America during the glamorous 1960s e...
Brass
H 19.25 in W 20 in D 27 in
Pair Mid-Century End Side Tables Nightstands American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville
Located in Baltimore, MD
Striking pair of mid-century modern walnut nightstands or end tables by American of Martinsville, circa 1970’s, one of the most esteemed furniture producers of the Mid-century era. E...
Aluminum
H 24.5 in W 22 in D 17 in
Pair American of Martinsville Night Stands
By American of Martinsville
Located in Fraser, MI
Pair traditional night stands in lacquer finish by American of Martinsville.
Mahogany, Lacquer
H 23 in W 22 in D 15 in
Pair of American of Martinsville Walnut 2-Drawer Nightstands or End Tables 1960s
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Probably designed by Merton Gershun, this pair of nightstands features a minimalist, almost brutalist look, with a rectangular body, and squared off drawers. The look is softened by ...
Wood, Walnut
H 34.5 in W 96 in D 15.25 in
American of Martinsville Dania Queen Size Bar Bed Headboard with Nightstands
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Mid-Century Modern queen size bed headboard with built-in nightstands. The 4004-14 “Bar Bed” is a part of American of Martinsville’s Dania Collection. Designed by Merton Gershun, this walnut bed...
Laminate, Walnut
H 34 in W 93 in D 16 in
American of Martinsville Mid Century Modern Queen Headboard
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful Mid Century Modern American of Martinsville walnut queen Headboard, with built in nightstands, designed by Merton Gershun for his Dania collection. Features glossy, black, ...
Walnut
H 34.75 in W 61.25 in D 1.5 in
Walnut Queen Sized Headboard by American of Martinsville
By Merton Gershun
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A beautifully grained walnut queen sized headboard with nice wood inter trim detail to the headboard , attaches to your excising mattress frame . Manufa...
Walnut
H 35.5 in W 59.75 in D 9 in
Merton Gershun American of Martinsville MCM Walnut Cane Full Storage Headboard
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century walnut and cane full storage headboard Headboard measures: 59.75 wide x 9 deep x 35.5 inches high ?All pieces of furniture...
Cane, Walnut
H 35 in W 81 in D 1.5 in
Merton Gershun for Dillingham Esprit Mid Century Walnut King Headboard
By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Merton Gershun for Dillingham Esprit mid century walnut king headboard Headboard measures: 81 wide x 1.5 deep x 35 inches high All pieces of furn...
Walnut
H 35.75 in W 97.25 in L 35.75 in
Merton Gershun American of Martinsville MCM Rattan X Inlay Queen Headboard
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut and Rattan X Inlay Queen Floating Nightstand Storage Headboard This headboard is 97.25 wide ...
Rattan, Walnut
H 31.5 in W 57 in D 2 in
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Full Headboard
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century walnut full headboard and footboard This set is 57 wide x 2 deep x 31.5 inches hig...
Burl
H 35 in W 77.25 in D 1.5 in
Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid-Century Modern Walnut King Size Headboard
By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern king size headboard By Merton Gershun for Dillingham USA, 1960s Book-matched walnut, with inset black vinyl panels. Measures: 77.25" W x 1.5...
Walnut
H 36.5 in W 60 in L 36.5 in
Merton Gershun Bleached Mahogany and Cane Full Size Bed, 1960s
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern full size bed frame By Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, USA, 1960s Bleached mahogany, with sliding cane doors on the bookcase headboard...
Cane, Mahogany
H 35 in W 79 in D 2.75 in
American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane King Headboard by Merton Gershun
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome king size bed headboard from American of Martinsville and Merton Gershun’s Accord line of furniture. It is in fabulous vintage condition with its original finish. The caning...
Cane, Walnut
H 34 in W 54.5 in D 10.5 in
MCM American of Martinsville Merton Gershun Urban Suburban Full-Size Headboard
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome Mid-Century Modern (MCM) full-size bookcase headboard designed by Merton Gershun for his Urban Suburban line for American of Martinsville. It i...
Wood
H 32 in W 56.5 in D 3 in
Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun American of Martinsville Full Size Headboard
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a full size walnut headboard. It was designed by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville's "Dania" line. Dimensions: 56.5" W x 3" D x 32" H.
Walnut