Skip to main content

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.

6
to
1
5
1
6
6
6
102
99
70
66
50
45
38
18
17
17
16
15
15
4
3
2
1
1
1
5
2
2
1
2
2
2
1
1
6
6
Style: American Craftsman
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

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 Philadelphia, PA. Circa 1880 H 2...
Category

1880s American Antique American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

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

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

Two Gimbels Mint Sheet Albums/Binder of Stamps Collection
By Gimbles
Located in Guaynabo, PR
These are two Gimbels mint sheet album/binder of Stamps Collection. One album has nine brown folders/cover stocks and the other one has seven. Each folder contains between 17 to 20 m...
Category

20th Century American American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

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

Related Items
Homes and Gardens in Old Virginia
Located in valatie, NY
Homes and Gardens in Old Virginia. Richmond: Garrett and Massie, Incorporated, 1932. 2nd Ed hardcover with no dust jacket. 367 pp. The 1st edition was a g...
Category

20th Century American American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

Homes and Gardens in Old Virginia
Homes and Gardens in Old Virginia
H 9.75 in W 6.75 in D 1 in
Alpine Ski Photograph 'Matterhorn & Skiers', Taken from Original 1930s Photo
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage, antique alpine ski photograph. 'Matterhorn & Skiers', a new mounted black and white photographic image after an original 1930s skiing photograph. Black abd white alpine photos are the perfect addition to any home or ski lodge, so please do check out our other ski photos...
Category

1930s English Vintage American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

Cocktails and Laughter: The Albums of Loelia Duchess of Westminster (Book)
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This book is a wonderful social record of the bright young things and how they lived in the early years of the 20th century, told and photographed ...
Category

20th Century American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

Landers, Frary & Clark Cast Iron Coffee Grinder/Mill
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This a large and heavy Landers, Frary & Clark cast iron coffee grinder#20 1/2. It has a bell shaped nickel hopper with a flat wood lid and two...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron, Nickel

Industrial Era Enterprise Mfg. Co. (Philadelphia) Iron Grinder
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well made Grinder from Philadelphia dating to the late 19th/ Early 20th Century. By Enterprise Mfg. Co., Phil, U.S.A. With a hand crank and footed base. Dimensions: H. 20", ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

19th Century Greek Grand Tour Pottery Jug
Located in Bradenton, FL
Small 19th century Greek Grand Tour terracotta pottery jug or vase. Neoclassical Style. Hand painted with picture of two Greek warriors. Dimens...
Category

Late 19th Century Greek Antique American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Terracotta

Collection of Leather Bound Art Deco Photo Albums of European Travel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of Leather Bound Art Deco Photo Albums of European Travel, the actual albums are probably French, circa 1920's. They document fabulous trips throughout Europe in the 1920'...
Category

1920s French Vintage American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Leather, Paper

Americano Single-Ended, Stereo Amp by Toolshed Amps for Original in Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Americano single-ended, Stereo Pentode Amplifier 5 watts per channel Input sensitivity: 1.03v to full output Input impedance: 50K Inputs: 2, switchable by Front Panel Mounted Carling Switch Output: 8 Ohm Via 5-Way Binding Posts Bias: No user adjustment necessary Tube compliment: 6973 power tubes (X2) Other compatible power tubes as follows: 6CM6/6CZ5/6EM5 (Performance Varies), EZ81/6CA4 Rectifier Tube (X1), EF91/6AM6 Driver Tubes (X2) Other compatible driver tubes as follows: M8083/CV4015 (Performance Varies). Original in Berlin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Copper

French Memorial Easel Featuring Madonna & Child by F. Biscay & Cie
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
A beautifully engraved gilded and silvered copper religious memorial easel with Madonna & Child. It was made by F. Biscay & Cie of Paris, France. It features an easel back leg for st...
Category

Early 20th Century French American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Copper

Cast iron standing bear money box by John Harper & Co
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian patinated cast iron standing bear money box, registered design by John Harper & Co. John Harper Co. Ironfounders, Albion Works, Willenhall, Staffordshire, England...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

KAWS Brooklyn Museum poster 2021 (KAWS TIDE)
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
KAWS 'TIDE' poster 2021 This classic KAWS poster features the artists signature Companion figure floating in a moonlit ocean and was published on the occasion of the much heralded 2021 KAWS: What Party exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum...
Category

2010s American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

1930s Austrian Horse Toy
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Beautiful 1930s Austrian horse toy. Wonderful patina.
Category

1920s Austrian Vintage American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Bentwood

1930s Austrian Horse Toy
1930s Austrian Horse Toy
H 25 in W 29 in D 9 in
Previously Available Items
Antique 1900s Pair of Wooden Hand Weights
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique and with patina, pair of late 19th century wood dumbbells with fine carved detailing rings in the middle and on the ends. They are 1-1/2 pound hand weights...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Wood

Prohibition Era Copper Whisky Still
Located in Charleston, SC
Great piece of American history, hand-forged copper whisky burner. Typical of the fashion in the blue ridge mountain area during prohibition.
Category

1920s American Vintage American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Copper

Prohibition Era Copper Whisky Still
Prohibition Era Copper Whisky Still
H 30.5 in W 21.5 in D 17.5 in
Model HMS Sovereign of the Sea
Located in Hixson, TN
The ship's name was changed twice, first in the year 1650 to "Sovereign" and then to "Royal Sovereign" in 1660. It was built by Peter Pett (later a Co...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American American Craftsman Historical Memorabilia

Model HMS Sovereign of the Sea
Model HMS Sovereign of the Sea
H 39 in W 36 in D 24 in

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.

Recently Viewed

View All