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Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

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
Period: 1950s
Gilded Rose Magazine Rack Florentine Hollywood Regency Style Tole Toleware 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Florentine Italian gilded magazine rack. Perfect as a storage stand near your reading chair. The piece is in beautiful antique condition...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

Sculptural Carved Wood Magazine Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wood magazine rack 1956, Vienna, Austria. Carved from one piece of wood, hollowed out and wrapped with a light bent wood band and delicate black enameled legs. In original condition ...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

Black Stained Bentwood Sculptural Magazine Stand, Rack Mid Century Modern
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous and very uncommon Mid-Century Modern bentwood magazine stand or rack is from the 1950s. It is stained black from how it was acquired. The cutout holes are so very moder...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Bentwood

50's Spaghetti Magazine Rack
Located in Lisboa, PT
This Spaghetti Magazine rack was designed and produced during the 1950's. It is made of bent metal bar painted in black and plastic-coated braid in red color. Metal has paint splin...
Category

1950s Portuguese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

Blackened Wood and Brass Magazine Rack, Italian Work, Circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
Blackened wood and brass magazine rack. Italian work. Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Vintage Mid-Century Magazine Rack
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary 1950s Arthur Umanoff magazine rack that is in good condition and has been restored by our team of craftsmen. This piece is hand-crafted out of walnut wood features e...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer, Wood

Perforated Sheet Black Lacquerd Magazine Rack, French by Mathieu Matégot
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This is a very nice magazine rack made of black lacquered perforated sheet of metal. This is a work by famous designer Mathieu Matégot Circa 1970.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

Black Lacquered Metal Magazine Rack, French Work, Circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This black lacquered magazine rack is made of metal. This is a French work. Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

White Lacquered Et Perforated Magazine Rack, French Work in the Style of Mathieu
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This magazine rack is made of white lacquered et perforated metal. This is a French work in the style of Mathieu Matégot. Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal, Wrought Iron

Elegant Brass and Metal Magazine Rack Mid-Century Modern, 1950s, Austria
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
An absolute eyecatcher. Light and elegant at the same time.  
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Arthur Umanoff Wrought Iron Seventeen-Bottle Wine Holder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1950s Arthur Umanoff wine rack in painted wrought iron. Can be used as a tabletop or floor rack, accommodating 17 bottles. Pictured with this wine rack is the smaller, 7-bottle hold...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Wrought Iron

Carl Aubock Brass and Black Leather Magazine Holder
Located in Westport, CT
Rare.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Carl Auböck Magazine Rack No. 4102, Patinated Brass Leather, 1950
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A gorgeous and large magazine or newspaper tray made of patined brass and black leather designed by Carl Auböck, manufactured by Carl Auböck workshop, Vienna, Austria, in midcentury ...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Mexican Magazine Rack Attributed to Charles Allen
By Charles W. Allen
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this folding magazine and books rack attributed to Charles Allen made in mahogany first class wood and steel details, circa 1950.
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Steel

Group of Magazine Racks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of Mid-Century Modern magazine racks, circa 1950s. They are: 1) Sculptural iron magazine rack, designed by Tony Paul, seen at the left. It measures 20.25" H x 8.25" D. 2...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal, Iron

Tony Paul Black Wire, Ceramic & Wood Record Album Stand, 1950's
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Tony Paul Atomic Record Stand, Smoking Stand with Ceramic Dish, Ashtray. Featuring a spiral Black Iron wire framework, cylindrical form, round wooden handle and feet, rectangular gla...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Iron

Jacques Adnet Magazine Stand Leather, France, 1950
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Magazine stand designed by Jacques Adnet and manufactured in his own atelier, France, 1950. The magazine stand has a solid brass frame and is fully covered with handstitched green le...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

Bar Cart Tray Midcentury Italian Design Walnut Brown Wood Ico Parisi De Baggis
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Bar cart tray midcentury Italian design walnut brown wood Ico Parisi De Baggis, model 201, 1953.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Walnut

Italian Magazine Rack in Brass, circa 1950s
Located in London, GB
A fantastic magazine rack in brass and glass. Italy 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler Sculptural Magazine Rack for Forma
Located in Washington, DC
Beautiful vintage sculptural metal magazine rack by Brazilian Modern Masters Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner for historic Brazilian company Forma. Curved metal in black and gold with a ...
Category

1950s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Copper, Metal

Mid-Century Bottle Holder in Teak and Wenge, 1950s
Located in Lejre, DK
Bottle holder in teak and wenge. Made in Denmark in the 1950s.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Formica, Teak, Wenge

Elegant Magazine Rack in Acrylic & Brass, 1970s Italy
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
An absolute eyecatcher. Light and elegant at the same time. Handmade.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass, Metal

Mathieu Matégot Vintage Magazine Holder Perforated Metal circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Introduce a captivating piece of design history with the Mathieu Matégot Vintage Magazine Holder. This magazine holder, designed by the renowne...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Folding Magazine Rack by Cesare Lacca in Dark Wood- Italy
Located in Girona, ES
Folding magazine rack, dark stained and varnished wood. Design: Cesare Lacca Italy c. 1950.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Wood and Brass Italian Magazine Rack in Ico Parisi Style, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury wood and brass folding magazine rack. This item was produced in Italy during 1950s in the style of Ico Parisi. This folding magazine rack is marvellous as it has two watercolour landscapes engravings on each side affixed behind the glass, plus beech and brass details. Iconic design and unique features, this piece is going to be a central point in a midcentury-style living room or entrance hall. Ico Parisi was an Italian architect and designer. Born Domenico Parisi in 1916 in Palermo, Italy, he was involved in building construction and architecture in Como during his early adulthood. By the 1940s, Parisi took up filmmaking and began designing furniture in 1945, for which he would become most renowned. His designs are characterized by their Italian Mid-Century Modern aesthetic, constructed using soft woods often cut into boomerang-like shapes, augmented by metal slats and boldly colored upholstery. His most prolific period was the two decades that preceded 1965, when he married and formed a design team with his wife, Luisa Aiani, in 1948. He studied architecture between 1949-1952 under Alberto...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Side Table Design by Tjerk Reijenga for Pilastro, 1950s
Located in Tourcoing, FR
Dutch design of the 1950s, work for Pilastro by Tjerk Reijenga (designer and Dutch avant-garde architect since he only wants renewable materials for these creations! World famous, he...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

Jacques Adnet Magazine Rack
Located in Miami, FL
Jacques Adnet Magazine rack, brass and steel Restored and refinished.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass, Iron

Jacques Adnet Magazine Rack
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome magazine rack by Jacques Adnet. Made of iron and brass. Excellent vintage condition. Star detail on both sides and closed fist on top. Great piece!
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass, Iron

Danish Modern Magazine Stand Rack in Solid Beechwood, circa 1950s
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mid-Century Modern style magazine stand in solid beechwood with dark espresso finish. Magazine rack has an "X" frame design with folding feature, and has horizontal wood slats on one...
Category

1950s Macedonian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Italian Mid-Century Modern Magazine Rack, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Magazine holder, manufactured in Italy in 1950s Made of solid brass and black enameled iron Completely restored.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass, Iron

Magazine Rack in Solid Beechwood
Located in Wien, AT
Magazine rack in solid beechwood Cees Braakman for Pastoe, Netherlands, 1950s. Original condition.
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Wood, Beech

French 1950s Raoul Guys attrd. Iron Wicker Magazine Rack Book Shelf Mid-Century
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Magazine shelf, armchair side table. Heavy and well-made. Wonderful design, showing age. Raoul Guys attributed design, however, no references have been found yet.
Category

1950s Unknown Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Iron

Mathieu Matégot White Metal Magazine Rack 1950s, France
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare magazine rack by Mathieu Matégot in white enameled metal. Original condition with strong and beautiful patina.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

Cesare Lacca Mid-Century Modern Wood Magazine Rack and Bar Cart, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing Mid-Century Modern wood magazine rack and bar cart. This wonderful piece was designed in Italy during 1950s by Cesare Lacca. This item is in a magnificent vintage condition,...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Mathieu Matégot Folded Yellow and White Metal Magazine Holders, France 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Pair of Mathieu Matégot Folded Yellow and White Metal Magazine Holders, France, 1950s
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

Mathieu Matégot Mid-Century Magazine Rack in White Painted Metal, France, 1950s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare magazine rack designed by Mathieu Matégot and produced in France during the 1950s. In good vintage condition and showing patina from age and use.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

Magazine Rack Table Brass and Glass, Italy 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Magazine rack stand in a brass and glass structure which can also be used as a table as it features a glass shelf. Made in Italy in the 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal, Brass

Midcentury Iron Magazine or Book Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury iron magazine or book holder. 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Iron

Guillerme et Chambron Magazine Rack with Ceramic Ashtray
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Guillerme et Chambron magazine rack with Boleslaw Daniskowski ceramic ashtray, circa 1950.
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Mexican Modern Folding Magazine Rack
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this folding magazine rack in mahogany wood and brass details, circa 1950.
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Tony Paul Magazine Rack Removable Tray Table, 1950s
Located in San Diego, CA
Tony Paul for Woodlin-Hall “Tempo Group” occasional table with magazine Stand and removable wood tray. Iron frame with wooden ball feet, USA, 1950s.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Iron

Pastoe Magazine-holder designed by Cees Braakman, Dutch Design, 1954
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-century magazine table from the Combex Series TM05 designed by Cees Braakman for Pastoe 1954. Sleek walnut top with black wrought metal frame and mesh magazine holder. Dimension...
Category

1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal, Wrought Iron

Midcentuury Magazine Rack by Ico Parisi, 1950s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Elegant midcentury magazine holder by Ico Parisi with prints. This foldable magazine holder is made from rosewood and brass. Good condition, with slight user traces. 1950s, ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Metal Magazine Rack with Fishes, 1950s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice metal magazine rack made in France in the 50's. Illustrating two fishes on both sides.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Italian Storage Rack with Teak and Metal, 1950s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice Italian rack, 1950's. Made of black metal and teak (veneer) plate.  
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Enameled Metal, Teak and Brass Italian Magazine Rack, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful and unique magazine rack in metal, teak and brass. This amazing piece was produced in Italy during the 1950s. A wonderful enameled metal, wood and brass item, that will enrich a living room, a midcentury entrance...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal, Brass

Italian Midcentury Mahogany and Brass Magazine Rack in the Style of Ico Parisi
Located in Vienna, AT
Elegant Italian midcentury brass and mahogany magazine rack in the style of Ico Parisi. Wonderful addition to any Mid-Century Modern interior!
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Cesare Lacca Curved Walnut Plywood Side Table or Book Stand, Italy, 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Cesare Lacca curved walnut plywood side table or book stand, Italy, 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Walnut

1950s Folding Rack Black Suede Leather Sling Magazine Wood Fire Tools Holder
Located in Hyattsville, MD
An American studio craft piece, unknown maker, very well made. Light duty, Designed for lighter loads, 2-4 small logs, 10-15 lbs. max. More for kindling or papers.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Steel

Lovely Brass Magazine Rack Mid-Century Modern, 1950s, Austria
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
An absolute eyecatcher. Light and elegant at the same time. Handmade.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Italian Magazine Rack, Italy, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian news magazine holder hand waved rope. Shipping to continental US in home delivery $300
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Magazine Rack Vienna Around 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Magazine Rack vienna around 1950s Original condition
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Italian Brass and Wrought Iron Magazine Rack with Ashtray, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Brass and wrought iron magazine rack in brass with ashtray, 1950s. A magnificent and elegant piece where an artisanal work on materials meets Classic midcentury design. A must...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass, Metal

Midcentury Enameled Metal, Maple, Teak and Brass Italian Magazine Rack, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury enameled metal, maple, teak and brass magazine rack. This unique piece was produced in Italy during 1950s. This item is breathtaking has its structure is made o...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass, Aluminum

Midcentury Wrought Iron Étagère with Wood Ball Feet and Finials
Located in Hanover, MA
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS ONE ETAGERE. NOT “a set”. PRICE SHOWN IS FOR THE ONE. A single mid-century modern blackened iron framed étagère with inset painted wood and glass shelves and wood balls for feet and finials. This came out of the post-war modern craze for steel and wire frame decorative furniture and objects, such as those for Woodlin Hall by Tony Paul, Archie Kaplan...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Wrought Iron

Italian Midcentury Magazine Rack Brass Gold Italian Design Transparent Glass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Italian midcentury magazine rack brass gold Italian design transparent glass.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Futuristic Aluminum Magazine / Log Holder Rack
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Studio one of a kind aluminum magazine rack. Could also function as a log holder. Looks like a mountainscape. Rack measures: 18.25" wide, 12" deep and 26.5" high.
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Aluminum

Viennese Magazine Rack, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Viennese magazine rack, circa 1950s Original condition Beautiful original patina.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Brass

Mid-century Modern magazine racks and stands for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern magazine racks and stands 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 magazine racks and stands created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, tables, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern magazine racks and stands made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original magazine racks and stands, popular names associated with this style include Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Mathieu Matégot, Cesare Lacca, and Jacques Adnet. 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 magazine racks and stands differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $82 and tops out at $14,000 while the average work can sell for $999.

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