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.
Newly Refinished - Merton Gershun “Esprit” Walnut Writing Desk for Dillingham
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...
Laminate, Walnut
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...
Brass
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...
Mahogany
H 30.5 in W 60 in D 18.5 in
Mid Century American Martinsville Dania Dresser by Merton Gershun circa 1950/60s
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in New York, NY
Iconic mid century dresser, designed by Merton Gershun, for American of Martinsville, as part of the classic Dania series, circa 1950/60's. The chest features a bank of three louvere...
Brass
H 55 in W 55.75 in D 96.25 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...
Metal
H 28.75 in W 60 in D 24 in
Mid-Century American Modern Studio Craft Walnut Desk by Richard Artschwager
By Richard Artschwager
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Walnut Studio Craft single pedestal desk by renowned painter and sculptor, Richard Artschwager, who designed a small collection of furniture in New York City in 1953. These pieces ar...
Walnut
H 31 in W 57.5 in D 27.5 in
Vintage American Art Deco Walnut and Rosewood Executive Desk, 1930s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage American Art Deco desk crafted in the United States, circa 1930s. Defined by its striking symmetry and luxurious mix of materials, this exceptional piece reflects the refined...
Leather, Rosewood, Walnut, Burl
H 70 in W 28 in D 19 in
Vintage Early American Style Petite Maple Lift Top Secretary Desk & Hutch 70"
Located in Dayton, OH
1960s American Country Diminutive Desk & Hutch. Made from maple with a lift top writing desk topped by a large backsplash with shelves and draw...
Brass
H 30.5 in W 44.25 in D 26.25 in
Vintage 1960's American of Martinsville Desk
By American of Martinsville
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 1960's American of Martinsville desk with structural details and original pulls. Nice corner details. Marked inside drawer. Two f...
Wood
H 30 in W 72.25 in D 19 in
Dillingham’s “Esprit” Walnut Dresser Credenza by Merton Gershun
By Merton Gershun
Located in Kensington, MD
+ Sleek American Modernist walnut dresser or credenza + Tons of storage in these 9 spacious drawers + Three large drawers on the far right are hidden behind a door, breaking up the f...
Walnut, Wood
H 30 in W 36 in D 18.5 in
Pair Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Walnut & Brass Louvered Chests
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Merton Gershun, this pair of chests was made in the 1960s by American of Martinsville. Each dresser features three drawers with the classic Gershun louvered look, almost ...
Brass
H 30 in W 60 in D 26 in
Dillingham Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this nice vintage desk made by Dillingham
Walnut
H 23.5 in W 24 in D 18 in
Mid Century Modern American of Martinsville Travertine Top Night Tables
By American of Martinsville
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic 2 drawer end tables or night stands by American of Martinsville with Travertine marble tops. Curved wave front design to drawers. Nickel s...
Travertine, Nickel
H 22.25 in W 47.5 in D 36.25 in
Kipp Stewart American Design Foundation MCM Solid Cherry Corner Desk
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kipp Stewart American Design Foundation Mid Century solid cherry corner desk This desk measures: 47.5 wide x 36.25 deep x 22.25 inches high...
Cherry
H 28.5 in W 51.5 in D 27 in
Vintage Danish Teak Executive Desk Writing Desk Finished Back Office Desk MCM
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful vintage Scandinavian Modern executive desk crafted in warm teak in Denmark. This elegant Mid-Century Modern desk features a clean architectural silhouette with six spacious...
Teak
H 29 in W 47.5 in D 29 in
Uncommon Merton Gershun American of Martinsville Dania Desk in Walnut & Brass
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Merton Gershun, this desk was made by American of Martinsville in the United States. It features a full walnut construction, a large cabinet with two drawers on the right...
Brass
H 29.25 in W 47 in D 29.25 in
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...
Brass
H 29.5 in W 48 in D 23 in
Vintage Walnut "Esprit" Desk by Merton L. Gershun for Dillingham
By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company
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...
Laminate, Walnut
H 29 in W 58 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...
Chrome
H 29.5 in W 47 in D 29.5 in
Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
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...
Brass
H 29.5 in W 47 in D 29.5 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...
Brass