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American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

AMERICAN CRAFTSMAN STYLE

Inspired by the Arts & Crafts style in England, which rebelled against the mechanization of the Industrial Revolution with a proud emphasis on handcrafted design, American Craftsman style similarly pushed against the lavishness of the Victorian era. Coined by Wisconsin-born Gustav Stickley, a furniture designer and publisher of The Craftsman magazine, American Craftsman furniture would influence homegrown styles that followed, such as Mission and the Prairie School.

Like the popular early 20th-century Craftsman houses — which feature meticulous woodwork on everything from built-in bookcases in the living room and cabinetry in the kitchen to earth-toned exteriors with exposed rafters — American Craftsman furniture was all about handmade storage cabinets, bedroom furniture, chairs and other pieces built with organic materials. “Simplicity and straightforwardness of construction has always been the leading characteristic of Craftsman furniture,” Stickley stated. And while he is often credited with most of the designs at the Craftsman Workshops in Eastwood, New York, others such as Harvey Ellis were influential in shaping the straight-backed chairs, beds with vertical slats and tables with exposed joinery that came to define the style.

Highly utilitarian with no unnecessary flair, American Craftsman furniture was designed to emphasize the essence of its modest construction and promote the natural beauty of the wood. Solid oak, cherry, walnut and mahogany were all favored by the movement’s principal figures. Another attribute commonly associated with the style is the integration of subtle details like tooled leather, inlaid metal and hammered iron handles.

Owing to the outbreak of World War I, the popularity of American Craftsman style waned as consumer spending dropped and furniture companies shifted to the production of wartime materials and goods specified in government contracts. Yet, by the 1960s, there was a renewed appreciation for this foundational modern American style, with Stickley and his contemporaries in demand for the clean, simple lines and sturdy construction of American Craftsman furniture.

Find a collection of antique American Craftsman chests, nightstands, seating, decorative objects and more furniture on 1stDibs.

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Style: American Craftsman
M. Stalker Long Studio Bench from Shipwreck Wood and Chain
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
M. Stalker Long Studio bench from shipwreck wood and chain, 1863-1886 Studio piece crafted from the main ship haul of the M. Stalker, a Great Lakes 1...
Category

Mid-20th Century American American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

1930s Ozark Swirl Pottery Early Touring Souvenir Cactus Bowl Dish Roadside Gift
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful pattern, one of the best I have seen. Rare in Small size. No drain hole. Sold as a shelf prop, would not use, does not ring true, has cracks.
Category

1930s American Vintage American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Concrete

Antique Red Cast Iron Star Mill Co. Philadelphia No. 7 Coffee Grinder
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Red Cast Iron Star Mill Co. Philadelphia No. 7 Coffee Grinder Star Mill Co. cast iron coffee grinder with the original red paint, made in Philad...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

Wavy Glass Bowl Carnival from Dugan - Marigold "Brooklyn Bridge" - 1907 USA
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Very beautiful wavy bowl from the Dugan Glass Company in the United States, first quarter of the 20th century, in iridescent molded glass, called carnival ...
Category

Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Glass

Original J Mack Moore Photo of Virginia Memorial in Vicksburg, MISS
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A VERY RARE and Original J Mack Moore Photo of Virginia Memorial in Vicksburg, MISS and probably taken circa 1907/08, after it’s dedication. Paper photograph mounted on board, on it’s original matting. Taken by famous photographer John Mack Moore of Vicksburg and signed by him in red ink on bottom left “J Mack Moore’ and “Vicksburg, Miss” on the bottom right (also in red ink). Hand-noted in black ink on rear as “Virginia Tablet, Vicksburg National Military Park” and also signed again by J. Mack Moore in red ink on left center on the rear and “Vicksburg, Miss” on the right center (also in red ink). Newly framed and matted and under glass. Original photos by J. Mack Moore are ‘highly’ sought after and have performed very well at auction. John Mack Moore, born in 1869, was the son of prominent residents of antebellum Vicksburg. He was only a toddler when the famous 1870 race between the Robt. E. Lee and Natchez had his hometown in a state of excitement as the big sidewheelers passed upriver en route from New Orleans to St. Louis. As a young man, he became an avid and skilled photographer, spending much time at the wharf along the Mississippi and Yazoo, recording on glass plate negatives the daily activity of the busy river landing. Conversations with masters, mates, mud clerks and roustabouts were his daily fare. Moore learned photography from an elderly master of albumen, wet plates and homemade printing papers. He had a disdain for newfangled gadgetry and held fast to utilizing the old methods of previous decades in the making of photographs, with sparkling results. J. Mack Moore was considered the dean of photographers as well as a colorful character around Vicksburg. In later years, owing to his white hair and moustache, he was said by many to bear a close resemblance to Mark Twain. Moore’s Clay Street home, where he also operated his photographic studio, was built from the top down, a most amazing feat accomplished by a unique individual. Originally it was a rambling residence in a Southern, park-like setting. However, when paved streets eventually came to the city, the house was left at the base of an embankment, the large oak trees removed to make way for an unsightly culvert. Singlehandedly, Moore raised the house to street level. As the edifice gradually rose, Moore fashioned lower floors, accomplishing the feat with heavy timbers and screw jacks...
Category

Early 20th Century American American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

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Alpine Ski Photograph 'Matterhorn & Skiers', Taken from Original 1930s Photo
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H 9 in Dm 10.5 in
Gymnastic Leather Pommel Horse Bench Top, 1930s
Located in Wien, AT
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Gymnastic Leather Pommel Horse Bench Top, 1930s
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Petite Silver Perfume Bottle, c. 1930s
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite silver perfume bottle from early 20th century once kept a lady's fragrance close to hand, perfectly sized to tuck into a pocket or evening bag. The small bottle is shaped...
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Materials

Sterling Silver

Petite Silver Perfume Bottle, c. 1930s
Petite Silver Perfume Bottle, c. 1930s
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H 0.25 in W 2 in D 1 in
Antique Signed Niloak Marbleized Mission Swirl Ozark Pottery Vase
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Philadelphia Toboggan Co. Skee Ball Machine, 1950s USA
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Large Diskometal Bowl by Just Andersen, 1930s, Denmark
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Wood and Steel Industrial Bench or Table or Shelving Unit, Vintage Industrial
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Two Gimbels Mint Sheet Albums/Binder of Stamps Collection
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American Craftsman historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique American Craftsman historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage historical memorabilia created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used American Craftsman historical memorabilia made in a specific country, there are North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for historical memorabilia differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $350 and tops out at $6,350 while the average work can sell for $1,200.

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