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Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color:  Black
Yamaha Casette Deck Mario Bellini
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Yamaha casette deck designed by Mario Bellini in 1974. Working with 100V or DC12V. Historical audio equipment which is one of MOMA permanent collection. Inclined body has control panel...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Plastic

Rudi Gernreich Girls Knit Monokini Bandeau Top Bathing Suit, circa 1964
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An original girls sized 6X monokini with a bandeau top bathing suit designed by Rudi Gernreich, circa 1964. Rudi Gernreich was an American Designer born in Austria, Vienna in 1922 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Fabric

Vintage Lions Club International Metal Plaque / Painted Advertising Sign, 1940´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Vintage Antique Lion´s Club International Plaque / Sign with mostly original hand paint. It has some age wear, but overall very good conditions. Vintage Lions Club International metal plaque...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Metal

1952 Mid-Century Sirrica Brass Marble Candlestick Rutgers College Desk Lamp
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid-century Sirrica desk or library lamp. Made of brass and marble featuring footed base with round Bouillotte style form, three candlesticks, and black parchment shade marked with Rutgers logo / crest / seal. A gift / trophy to commemorate the graduation of Mr. Richard Phillips...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Marble, Brass

1960s Industrial Nail Pliers Pincers Tool in Steel Iron Rustic Patina
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Tool Vintage Tool Nail Pliers Pincers Pullers. Made in the USA. 1960s Signs of vintage age and wear Great design and form. Wonderful advertising carpentry prop. Dimensions: 12.25 H x...
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Steel, Iron

Mid-Century Hand Painted Bull's Head Butcher's Shop Advertising Wall Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This 1960s era molded fiberglass and hand painted bull's head is unsigned, but believed to be a generic advertising wall decoration from a butcher shop. This head is hand painted in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Fiberglass

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Life Magazine President Johnson, December 1964
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Vintage LIFE Magazine from December 1963. This piece is in a wonderful vintage condition consistent with age and use. We think this would be a great gift for the political junkie per...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

Moto Guzzi Nuovo Falcone Military 500cc 1972
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian motorcycle order to made for the Yugoslavian Special Force Tito . Made only 500 pieces. 70 of them was used for the President Tito military ...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Metal

Margaret Bourke-White Statue of Liberty Inscribed Note and Limited Edition Photo
Located in Colorado Springs, CO
This collage includes a limited edition photograph by Margaret Bourke-White originally taken in 1952, numbered 4/50+10 and blindstamped in the lower right margin with the artist’s si...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

Gruppo Maniglie Paolo De Poli Italia Anni '50
Located in Milano, IT
Gruppo di tre maniglie in rame smaltato.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Brass, Copper

Mid-Century Modern Horse Sculpture / Figurine, c. 1970's
Located in Deland, FL
A stunning sculptural decorative horse crafted from porcelain and beautifully glazed with dark shades of greens, charcoal, and black.    
Category

1960s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Porcelain

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Esempi Reprint, Lighting, 1934-1964, Italy, 2010s
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Modern Industrial Menorah in White Oakwood and Steel
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Impeccable Yamaha C7 Concert Grand Piano
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Mary Bronze Wall Plaque Sculpture Signed Medallion French Early 20th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
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1960s Sebel Mobo Toy Horse, Pedal Carrey Trailer, Pressed Steel, UK
Located in Antwerp, BE
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A Mid-Century Brass and Enamel Desk Lamp
Located in London, GB
A mid twentieth century Italian desk lamp with brass adjustable stem, with yellow enamel circular base and pierced conical shade.
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Vintage Tobacco Advertising Sign, Belgium, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
1950s Advertising Sign for the Belgian Tobacco Brand VDC - Deinze. This Litho Cardboard Sign has lots of colors due the different packages and types of tobacco flavors. Made in Brussels - Belgium by J.De Grève and co. This Vintage Sign can stand as a Counter Display Sign ( standing system has never been used before ) or can be hung as Wall Decoration - Wall Art It's a New Old Stock Sign, so in very good condition. Only the left upper corner has a small trace due storage through the time. Tobacco collectables - vintage signs - retro wall decoration...
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Anatomy as Art by Mario Bucci
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Located in valatie, NY
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Anatomy as Art by Mario Bucci
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H 13 in W 10 in D 1.5 in
Large Hand Carved Antique Sculpture of Apparition of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary
Located in Lisse, NL
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Antique Print of 'Pieta' Made After Bellini, circa 1890
Located in Langweer, NL
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Giovanni Bellini by Philip Hendy and Ludwig Goldscheider, 1st Ed
Located in valatie, NY
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Previously Available Items
Gruppo Maniglie Paolo De Poli Italia Anni '50
Located in Milano, IT
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Gruppo Maniglie Paolo De Poli Italia Anni '50
Gruppo Maniglie Paolo De Poli Italia Anni '50
H 11.03 in W 2.76 in D 3.55 in
Fleet Reserve Association Inscribed Silver Belt Buckle Grants Pass, OR
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Mid-Century Modern Horse Sculpture / Figurine, c. 1970's
Located in Deland, FL
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1950s Vintage Argus 200 Slide Projector with Case
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Streamlined Bakelite Tesla Talisman Radio, 1950s
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Mid-Century Modern Fornasetti Style Metal Tray with Confederate Money Notes
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
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Vintage Norseman Style Polished Chrome Viking Helmet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
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Vintage Note/Phone Number Keeper Made in Japan
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1971 Vespa by Piaggio Model V50R
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1971 Vespa by Piaggio Model V50R
1971 Vespa by Piaggio Model V50R
H 39.38 in W 24.02 in D 64.97 in
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Mid-century Modern historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, 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, wall decorations, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern historical memorabilia made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original historical memorabilia, popular names associated with this style include Vincent Rossell, Lance Wyman, Gosta Aberg, and Albert Kallis. 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 $70 and tops out at $58,950 while the average work can sell for $1,399.

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