Merton Gershun Desks

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

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...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of Martinsville

$3,895

American of Martinsville Dania 3 Piece Louvered Walnut Desk Modular Unit

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Mid-Century Modern walnut low bench with modular desk and drawer cabinet designed by Merton Gerhsun for American of Martinsville's Dania line circa 60...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

American of Martinsville Dania 3 Piece Louvered Walnut Desk Modular Unit

$3,360 Sale Price / set

20% Off

Vintage American of Martinsville Desk

By Merton Gershun

Located in Pittsburgh, PA

Vintage 3-drawer desk in bleached mahogany with a faux bamboo front. This design features an architectural-inspired linear silhouette with open-side shelving. From the sought-after a...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage American of Martinsville Desk

$2,450

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Wood, Walnut

American of Martinsville 9 Drawer Walnut Dresser Merton Gershun X-Design

$2,450

H 30 in W 76 in D 18.5 in

Vintage Mid-Century American of Martinsville walnut Credenza

By American of Martinsville

Located in Sheffield, MA

Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 2 drawer, 3 door credenza in warm walnut wood cabinet. Original vintage condition. A great entry way ...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Mid-Century American of Martinsville walnut Credenza

$1,900

H 30 in W 52 in D 18 in

American of Martinsville Burl Curio Cabinets Lighted

By American of Martinsville

Located in W Allenhurst, NJ

Pair of beautiful Burl Wood with brass inlays. Nicely fluted detail offset with complimenting brass trim. Smokey glass doors which swing wide. 2 upper adjustable glass shelves with p...

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1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

American of Martinsville Burl Curio Cabinets Lighted

$2,245 / set

H 75.5 in W 31.25 in D 16.25 in

Merton Gershun Dillingham Esprit Walnut Six Drawer Lowboy Dresser Mild Century

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Forest Grove, PA

This stunning Dillingham Esprit dresser was designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville. The dresser features six spacious drawer...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Merton Gershun Dillingham Esprit Walnut Six Drawer Lowboy Dresser Mild Century

$2,850

H 29.5 in W 60 in D 19 in

Vintage American Art Deco Walnut Desk

Located in North Hollywood, CA

This vintage art deco desk from United States is a stunning piece from the 1930s. Its unique design features two shaped columns, each containing four pull-out drawers, as well as an ...

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1930s American Art Deco Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Leather, Rosewood, Walnut, Burl

Vintage American Art Deco Walnut Desk

$6,500

H 31 in W 57.5 in D 27.5 in

Walnut Sideboard with Cane Doors by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville

Located in Dorchester, MA

From the Accord collection by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, this mid-century modern sideboard features a walnut case on a plinth base with signature inset aluminum Xs ...

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1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Aluminum

Walnut Sideboard with Cane Doors by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville

$2,450

H 31 in W 62 in D 18.5 in

Stewart MacDougall 1970s Room Divider with Desk, Birch, Walnut & Formica

By Stewart MacDougall

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A beautifully conceived room divider with integrated desk from the 1970s, designed by Stewart MacDougall. Crafted in a harmonious blend of birch, warm walnut, vibrant Formica, and sl...

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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Metal

Stewart MacDougall 1970s Room Divider with Desk, Birch, Walnut & Formica

$6,750

H 55 in W 55.75 in D 96.25 in

Pair of American of Martinsville Dressers Bleached Philippine Mahogany

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in W Allenhurst, NJ

Pair of 3 drawer dressers made of mahogany. The drawers have a very interesting finish which gives a lot of character to the piece. Utilizing cutting-edge technology and hands-on cra...

Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Pair of American of Martinsville Dressers Bleached Philippine Mahogany

$4,140 / set

H 30.75 in W 37.75 in D 20.5 in

Merton Gershun Mid Century Walnut Bar for American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A rare Mid Century walnut dry bar with pull down front door with light up drink area and storage for glasses . When down the door has a white laminate backing making a bar surface fo...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun Mid Century Walnut Bar for American of Martinsville

$2,200

H 40.63 in W 36.13 in D 15 in

American of Martinsville Merton Gershun Bali-Hi Dresser, ca. 1950’s

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in New York, NY

Chic, sophisticated and stylish Bali Hi dresser, designed by Merton Gurshun for American of Martinsville. The dresser has six deep drawers each having faux bam...

Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

American of Martinsville Merton Gershun Bali-Hi Dresser, ca. 1950’s

$2,800

H 30.5 in W 54 in D 20.5 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 Desks

Materials

Walnut

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

$3,450

H 25 in W 52 in D 16 in

American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane Dresser & Bachelor’s Chest w/ X’s

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Topeka, KS

Handsome pair of chests from American of Martinsville and Merton Gershun’s Accord line of furniture with the signature X’s and asymmetric handles. One is the long walnut dresser with three drawers and cane doors and the second is the three-drawer bachelor’s chest. Two separate pieces but butted together make one long marvelous piece. We are pricing them as a set. Both are in wonderful restored condition. However, they are not without signs of age and use having an overall beautiful age patina which includes small nicks, scratches, and imperfections but nothing major. Please see photos, circa mid-20th century. Oh my! If you could ever say X marks the spot for a piece of furniture…you can say it with this pair. Note the metal signature crosses in their tops and their fabulous asymmetric or staggered handles. These gorgeous chests are from the Accord collection produced in the mid-20th century by American of Martinsville and designed by Merton Gershun. One piece is the longer dresser which is comprised of a bank of three drawers next to three doors with cane inserts. One door opens to the left and the other two doors bi-fold open to the right revealing three interior drawers. This dresser alone is wonderful but paired with the matching bachelor’s chest, which has the same bank of three drawers as the dresser, and butted next to the doors, making it one extra long cabinet...

Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane Dresser & Bachelor’s Chest w/ X’s

$5,995 / set

H 31 in W 62 in D 18.5 in

Previously Available Items

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Desk by Merton Gershun

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Los Angeles, CA

With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Desk by Merton Gershun

H 29.25 in W 47 in D 29.25 in

Vintage Walnut "Esprit" Desk by Merton L. Gershun for Dillingham

By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Fabulous vintage walnut “Esprit” desk designed by Merton L. Gershun for Dillingham Mfg. Co. in the United States, circa 1960s. This desk belongs to the "Espirit" collection, which st...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Vintage Walnut "Esprit" Desk by Merton L. Gershun for Dillingham

H 29.5 in W 48 in D 23 in

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Dropleaf Desk

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century walnut dropleaf desk Desk measures: 44.5 wide x 23 deep x 29.5 inches high, with a chair clearance of 26.25 inches; when ex...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Chrome

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Dropleaf Desk

H 29 in W 58 in D 23 in

Mid-Century American of Martinsville Desk

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in San Jose, CA

Mid-Century Modern Desk by American of Martinsville in walnut. This piece is from the Dania collection designed by Merton Gershun. Features two drawers with brass handles and a uniqu...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Desks

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century American of Martinsville Desk

H 29.5 in W 47 in D 29.5 in

Merton Gershun desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Merton Gershun desks 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 Merton Gershun desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Merton Gershun were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1960s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Paul McCobb, John Stuart, and Drexel. Prices for Merton Gershun desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,895 and can go as high as $4,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,048.