American of Martinsville Ebony and Brass Platform Bookcase
View Similar Items
American of Martinsville Ebony and Brass Platform Bookcase
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 40.25 in (102.24 cm)Width: 72.25 in (183.52 cm)Depth: 18.75 in (47.63 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s-1960s
- Condition:In restored condition.
- Seller Location:Cincinnati, OH
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU92519900621
American of Martinsville
American of Martinsville is today revered as one of the finest manufacturers of mid-century modern furniture in the United States, but its beginnings were unexpectedly humble.
Well ahead of the Civil War, tobacco was a cash crop in places such as Virginia, and the plant was grown with frequency on farms in Martinsville and elsewhere. In the early 1900s, the business around tobacco was changing and the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company was expanding nationally, buying any Virginia factories in reach. Former tobacco producers Ancil Witten and Charles Keesee turned away from the business in 1906 and, with merely $30,000 in capital (and the support of local business leaders), began to manufacture bedroom furniture under the name American Furniture Company.
In the 1920s, American Furniture Company expanded its offerings from bedroom furnishings. Alongside tallboy dressers and nightstands, Witten and Keesee’s outfit began to offer a range of dining-room sets to the discerning customer. By the 1950s, the name had been changed to American of Martinsville and the brand had gained a reputation for exquisite craftsmanship as well as its variety of furniture styles (Hollywood Regency, chinoiserie). Mass-marketed furniture meant big business in the postwar years and throughout the 20th century in Virginia, and factories owned by companies like Bassett Furniture and American of Martinsville remained busy as suburbanites bought furniture to fill the homes they were moving into.
It isn’t difficult to spot American of Martinsville’s sturdy, solid designs — the lacquered walnut nightstands, mahogany coffee tables and more have long earned the admiration of mid-century modernism enthusiasts. The company’s high profile also owes to prominent attributes that distinguish its well-made vintage furniture, such as the use of wooden slats — inspired by Scandinavian modernism — on hutches and cabinet doors, the famous brass x’s inlaid on the tops of tables and dressers and the stately stacked type of the American of Martinsville logo, which usually appears in drawer interiors. The stamp prominently features an eagle perched atop the lettering, its broad wings spread across the “American” portion.
Besides quality manufacturing, American of Martinsville is additionally recognized for having incorporated the trends of the day. Inspired by designers like George Nakashima and Paul Laszlo, the brand was also known for innovations with wood. Merton Gershun was one of the company’s most prolific designers, and he was responsible for some of its most successful modern furniture lines using the richer, darker woods that would become emblematic of mid-century furniture. Gershun’s most popular line was reportedly Dania, with its sleek walnut credenzas fitted with stylish brass accents and large drawers. Today, American of Martinsville specializes in furniture for the healthcare and hospitality industries.
Shop a wide selection of vintage American of Martinsville mid-century modern sideboards, side tables and more on 1stDibs.
- Paul McCobb Iron / Wood Bookcase Planner GroupBy Paul McCobbLocated in Cincinnati, OHA two piece satin black iron framed bookcase with medium dark solid maple wood shelves . The unit sits on the matching bottom platform giving the piece a open simple , lighter look t...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsIron
- Rosewood Ebony Nightstand / End Table by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Cincinnati, OHA rosewood and ebony toned two drawer nightstand / end table with chrome pulls having aluminum trim to the lower stretcher and leg area. A very tight and crisp looking design retaini...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWood
- Lucite / Bamboo / Glass Etagere in the Style of Karl SpringerBy Karl SpringerLocated in Cincinnati, OHA very well crafted Etagere with clear Lucite posts straddled by hardened bamboo pieces woven to each corner making for nice detailed construction . Five glass shelves that include t...Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Bookcases
MaterialsBamboo, Glass, Lucite
- Brass / Tulip Styled Side Tables by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Cincinnati, OHA pair of star based side tables with white wood and laminate round tops having nice tailored octagon shaft and base with ball feet all in brass . A great look that would work with m...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Walnut Accord Dining Table by Merton Gershun for American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Cincinnati, OHA dark walnut dining table with two 12" leaves and drop down ends for tighter areas . Designed by Merton Gershun for the American of Martinsville furniture company with inlay metal X...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Rare Walnut Queen Headboard by American of Martinsville from Accord CollectionBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Cincinnati, OHA dark walnut queen sized headboard with built in nightstands having one drawer to each and double sliding caned doors to the center with a storage area . Designed by Merton Gershun ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of Cherry Wood and Brass Bookcases, 1980sLocated in Florence, ITPair of Cherry wood bookcases with brass profiles and 5 shelves with brass edges. The Italian manufacture is functional and high quality pieces of furniture captured the innovative s...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Bookcases
MaterialsBrass
$6,590 / item - Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut and Cane Bookcase HutchBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Countryside, ILMerton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut and Cane Bookcase Hutch This bookcase hutch measures: 40.5 wide x 15.5 deep x 60.25 inches high All pieces of furnitu...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsChrome
- 1 Of 2 Laura Ashley Hardwood and Brass Military Campaign Bookcases with DrawersBy Laura AshleyLocated in GBWe are delighted to offer for sale 1 of 2 Laura Ashley military campaign bookcases. I have two of these in stock, this is the smaller one and then a slightly larger one which is l...Category
20th Century English Campaign Bookcases
MaterialsBrass
- Design Institute of America Brass EtagereBy Design Institute AmericaLocated in Redding, CTDesign Institute of America brass etagere. Elegant Hollywood Regency style piece. There are eight glass shelves of various sizes. We...Category
Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Bookcases
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Shelf Bookcase in Brass and Smoked GlassBy Romeo RegaLocated in AIGNAN, FRBookcase in brass and smoked glass from the 70s. Its sculptural geometric shape gives it a lot of elegance, character and refinement. Of good size, it offers a large storage spac...Category
20th Century European Bookcases
MaterialsBrass
- Brass Bookcase Console by Aldo TuraBy Aldo TuraLocated in North York, ONBrass Bookcase Console by Aldo Tura. Crafted in Milano Italy, using goatskin and brass plated frame. Goatskin shelves are lacquered in a high gloss fini...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsBrass
$5,560 Sale Price20% Off