Merton Gershun Bookcases

American, 1909-1989

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.

Creator: Merton Gershun

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bookcase by Merton Gershun

By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company

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 designs...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bookcase by Merton Gershun

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid-Century Modern Esprit Walnut Dresser Cabinet

H 29.5 in W 72 in D 19 in

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid-Century Modern Esprit Walnut Lowboy Dresser

By Dillingham Manufacturing Company

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid-Century Modern Esprit Walnut Lowboy Dresser This stunning Dillingham Esprit Gentleman's Chest, designed by the renowned Merton Gershun, is a quinte...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid-Century Modern Esprit Walnut Lowboy Dresser

H 29.5 in W 72 in D 19 in

Mid-Century Walnut Credenza by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Amazing mid-century modern walnut credenza by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville and manufactured in the United States, circa 1960s. This piece showcases the perfect blen...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Walnut Credenza by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville

H 25 in W 52 in D 16 in

Mid century walnut bookcase by František Jirák, 1960´s, Czechoslovakia

By Frantisek Jirak, Jitona

Located in Prague 8, CZ

Mid century Vintage bookcase from the 1960´s. It was designed by František Jirák and was manufactured by Jitona company in the former Czechoslovakia. Features a simple design, a glaz...

Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Wood, Beech

Mid century walnut bookcase by František Jirák, 1960´s, Czechoslovakia

H 61.82 in W 46.46 in D 16.15 in

Mid Century Modern WALNUT BOOKCASE / China Cabinet, c. 1960’s

Located in Weehawken, NJ

Mid Century Modern Walnut Bookcase / China Cabinet, c. 1960’s. Three rows of generous shelving provides loads of space for all your books or to display your collection. Glass doors...

Category

1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Mid Century Modern WALNUT BOOKCASE / China Cabinet, c. 1960’s

H 46 in W 38.5 in D 13 in

Mid-Century Modern Merton L. Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut Dresser

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Chicago, IL

Excellent original condition Mid-century Modern American of Martinsville credenza or lowboy dresser designed by Merton Gershun. Made of genuine walnut with lacquered drawer fronts an...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Merton L. Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut Dresser

H 30 in W 60 in D 18.5 in

Mid-Century Modern Walnut tall Secretary Desk Bookcase

By Broyhill Brasilia

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid-Century Modern tall secretary desk bookcase with doors.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Walnut tall Secretary Desk Bookcase

H 72 in W 33 in D 21 in

Classic Mid-Century Walnut Dresser by Merton Gershun / American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Buffalo, NY

Stunning walnut Modernist dresser designed by Merton Gershun ,,manufactured by American Of Martinsville. Classic aluminum x's and asymetrical pulls. Beautiful original condition. Han...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Aluminum

Classic Mid-Century Walnut Dresser by Merton Gershun / American of Martinsville

H 31 in W 54 in D 18.5 in

1960s Mid Century Dresser by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Mid-century walnut dresser designed by Merton L. Gershun and manufactured by American of Martinville. This dresser features a walnut frame with three spacious dovetail drawers on the...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Brass

1960s Mid Century Dresser by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville

H 30 in W 60 in D 18.5 in

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid-Century Modern Esprit Walnut Gentleman’s Chest

By Dillingham Manufacturing Company

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid-Century Modern Esprit Walnut Gentleman’s Chest Dresser This stunning Dillingham Esprit Gentleman's Chest, designed by the renowned Merton Gershun, ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid-Century Modern Esprit Walnut Gentleman’s Chest

H 48.5 in W 40 in D 18 in

Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of Martinsville

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Merton L. Gershun walnut writing desk for American of Martinsville. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing h...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of Martinsville

H 29.5 in W 47 in D 29.5 in

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Lowboy Dresser

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Lowboy Dresser This lowboy measures: 62 wide x 18.5 deep x 31 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Lowboy Dresser

H 31 in W 62 in D 18.5 in

Previously Available Items

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Wedge Shaped Bookcase

By Merton Gershun

Located in Denton, TX

Great tapered design, the bookcase seems like it's leaning against the wall. Designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville. The combination of walnut and black masonite is ...

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Walnut, Masonite

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Wedge Shaped Bookcase

H 59.5 in W 36.63 in D 13.13 in

Mid Century Modern Pyramid Style Bookcase by Merton L. Gershun for Dillingham

By Merton Gershun, Rick Dillingham

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

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Lacquer

Mid Century Modern Pyramid Style Bookcase by Merton L. Gershun for Dillingham

H 58.5 in W 36.5 in D 13 in

Merton Gershun Midcentury Bookcase for Dillingham

By Merton Gershun

Located in San Francisco, CA

Merton Gershun design bookcase for Dillingham, U.S.A. Interesting design bookcase or display shelf with a tapering profile which ditactes smaller items down to deeper storage at the ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Merton Gershun Midcentury Bookcase for Dillingham

H 60 in W 36 in D 12.5 in

Merton Gershun American Martinsville Dania Mid Century Bench with Display Case

By Merton Gershun

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Merton Gershun for American Of Martinsville Dania mid century bench with display case An amazing bench from the 1950s. The Bench was Designed by Merton Gershun as part of the D...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Merton Gershun American Martinsville Dania Mid Century Bench with Display Case

H 51 in W 55 in D 19 in

Merton L. Gershun Pyramid Bookshelf with Tambour-Doors for Dillingham

By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Merton L. Gershun Pyramid bookshelf with tambour-doors for Dillingham.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Merton L. Gershun Pyramid Bookshelf with Tambour-Doors for Dillingham

H 65.75 in W 48 in D 19 in

Merton Gershun bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Merton Gershun bookcases are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original bookcases by Merton Gershun 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 Drexel, Paul McCobb, and Heywood-Wakefield Co.. Prices for Merton Gershun bookcases can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,400 and can go as high as $3,695, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,048.