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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
Piero Fornasetti Magazine Stand
Located in New York, NY
Magazine stand designed and manufactured by Piero Fornasetti in the 1950s. Lithographic transfer print depicting a basket of colorful flowers. Has brass legs and a center handle. Ori...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1950s Cesare Lacca Italian Midcentury Design Vase Tripod Stand
Located in Brescia, IT
Brass and enamel Excellent condition Great manufacture Literature: R. Aloi, l'Arredamento moderno, Quinta serie, Milano 1952, fig 720.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Scandinavian String Giraffe Magazine Rack & Smoke Station, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A graphic looking magazine rack with a removable bowl or ashtray. Its is commonly called the Giraffe due to its shape. The body is constructed from bend wire/string iron painted in b...
Category

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

Materials

Iron

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

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

1950s Perforated Metal Minimalist Architects Side Table Serving Tray Cabinmodern
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Model No. TS400 Tray Table. Rare side table, surface measures 17.5 wide and 11.5 deep.
Category

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

Materials

Iron

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

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

Wall Unit Midcentury Italian Design Brass and Wood Magazine Rack
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Wall unit midcentury Italian design brass and wood magazine rack.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Fine Maison Bagues Magazine Holder Stand Rack Gilt Brass Glass France, 1950s
Located in Nierstein am Rhein, DE
A very elegant gilt brass and slightly green tinted glass magazine holder, rack or stand by Maison Baguès comparable to Maison Jansen and Maison Charles, France, circa 1950. This fin...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Ashtray, 1960s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Atomic midcentury ashtray with magazine holder. Beautifully shaped with brass feet and a blue and chrome ashtray. Very good condition, barely...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mathieu Matégot Style Mid-Century Modern Yellow Pink Flower Stand, 1950s, France
Located in Vienna, AT
Mathieu Matégot style vintage Mid-Century Modern flower stand 1950s France, which shows pastel shades in pink and yellow and gold. A stunning and delicate flower stand or flower shelf...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Sheet Metal

Magazine Rack in Oak and Leather, circa 1950-1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Magazine rack in oak and leather, circa 1950-1960.
Category

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

Materials

Leather, Oak

Wood, Iron and Brass Magazine Stand or Fireplace Log Rack Mid-Century Modern
Located in North Miami, FL
This Mid-Century Modern vintage brass, wood and black iron magazine stand or rack and or log carrier for a fireplace is handsome and very utilitarian. it serves as a Dual purpose for...
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Modernist Folded Magazine Stand, by Mathieu Matégot for Artimeta Soest, 1950s
Located in Schagen, NL
Wonderful folded magazine rack, holder with typical perforated metal base. The piece was designed by Mathieu Matégot for Artimeta Soest, circa 1955. It remains in a good vintage cond...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Magazine Rack Iron, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Magazine rack iron, circa 1950s Wicker on the handle Iron blackened Original condition.
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Piero Fornasetti Magazine Rack
Located in Henley-on Thames, Oxfordshire
Piero Fornasetti magazine rack with wooden frame and Hand colored silk-screened decoration. Fornasetti label to the base. Atelier Fornasetti, Italy, circa 1950.    
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Steel

Magazine Rack in Solid Brass and Perforated Metal Italy Design 1950s Midcentury
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Magazine rack in solid brass and perforated metal Italy design 1950s midcentury, transparent side glasses.
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

1950s Italian Magazine Rack Venetian Flower Art Glass Fontana Arte
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Magazine Rack Sculptural Italian Magazine Holder Rack in the style of Fontana Arte Italy 1950s Made in bronze & brass -two venetian art glass inserts with etched flower design. Lower...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Brass

Midcentury Enameled Metal, Wood and Brass Italian Magazine Rack, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Beautiful and unique magazine rack in metal and wood produced in Italy, circa 1950s. A wonderful enamelled metal, wood and brass piece, that will...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Maison Baguès Magazine Rack Stand Faux Bamboo Brass Glass, France, 1950s
Located in Rome, IT
Magazine racket by the French Maison Baguès in a faux bamboo brass structure and glass. Made in France, circa 1950.
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Italian Mid-Century Modern Newspaper and Magazine Rack Made of Brass
Located in München, DE
Extraordinary beautiful original Italian Mid-Century Modern darker gone brass newspaper or magazine rack. Very high quality, interesting 1950s design. In a very good vintage condition with a great patina. No damage, not wobbly or bent. 100% original condition. Suitable for all living areas and very decorative. Measures: Total height 32 cm / 12.6" Width 47 cm / 18.5" Depth above below...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Italian Side Table or Magazine Holder by Mobili Ferara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1950s side table or magazine holder made by Mobili Ferara. In home delivery US continental $250  
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Magazine Rack, Design ULUV, 1950s
Located in Praha, CZ
- Very practical - Rare type - Marked - Rack, stand - Very good original condition.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Magazine Side Table by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Mid-Century Design, Wood, C 1950
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern, magazine side table by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, circa 1950. The table has been refinished but it has a few scratches on the top. A light-brown, vintage Mid-century...
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Magazine Stand by Aldo Tura, Goat Skin Parchment, Midcentury Italian, C 1950
Located in New York, NY
A very unusual magazine stand by Aldo Tura, Italy, midcentury, circa 1950, for sheet music. Wood covered by goat skin parchment. The magazine stand has beautiful paintings on each s...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1950s Cesare Lacca Italian Mid-Century Modern Design Mahogany Magazine Rack
Located in Brescia, IT
Mahogany wood and brass details Excellent condition Measures: H 70 x 52 cm.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Wrought Iron Heart Floral Accent Magazine Stand
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Midcentury era magazine wrought iron stand with twist accents, decorative heart center, and floral pattern throughout, circa 1950.
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Iron

1950s Craftsman Architect Walnut Spoked and Somersaulting Magazine Paper Rack
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Somersault from the Wider to the Taller Rack Position. All joinery tight. Well made piece of furniture. Measures: Wide position W 22 x D 16 x H 14 in. Tall position W 14 x D 16 x...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Rare Leather and Brass Magazine Rack Attributed to Jacques Adnet, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rare leather and brass magazine rack attributed to Jacques Adnet, circa 1950.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Brass Austrian Magazine Rack with Ashtray, 1950
Located in Roma, IT
This light and long-limbed magazine rack with the ashtray is representative of the Austrian design during the 50s. Made of brass and wrought iron, one of the most extraordinary p...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid Century Classical Brass Magazine Rack on Wheels C1965
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Classical design of open brass cage, consisting of square and round brass tubes. In original vintage condition. Sits on castor wheels. This item can be p...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Geometric Magazine Holder Italian Mid-century Design Wood and Brass Gold 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Magazine holder Italian midcentury design, in rosewood metal and brass, geometric and Minimalist design.
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid-Century Modern Italian Magazine Rack by Cesare Lacca
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful Italian magazine cart features the unique sculptural Italian design of Cesare Lacca and makes a stunning addition to any interior. Perfect rolling side table with glas...
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Wood

Maison Baguès Attr. Faux Bamboo Green Lucite Magazine Rack
Located in Vienna, AT
Maison Baguès attributed faux bamboo green Lucite magazine rack. Delicate magazine rack comprised of brass and green Lucite panels. The rack is in go...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Minimal Vintage Brass and Solid Wood Magazine Rack, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s. It features a brass structure and solid wood details. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in ve...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Small Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart and Magazine Rack by Cesare Lacca - Italy
Located in Girona, ES
Small bar cart and magazine rack, stained solid mahogany, French polish, original glasses and mirror. Removable tray, polished brass hardware and wheel...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass Glass Magazine Rack Lacca Fontana Arte 1950s
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is an ornate magazine rack, made of brass, with two smoked glass panels and an opal handle, by Lacca for Fontana Arte, circa the 1950s. In good vintage conditi...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Edward Wormley Midcentury Magazine Rack for Dunbar in Brass and Wood Brown, 1950
Located in Milano, IT
A timeless Classic. The Dunbar production relies on designer Edward Wormley to design this elegant magazine rack, which at the same time serves as a cabinet or coffee table. The pec...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Magazine Racks Cesare Lacca Mid-Century Modern Italian Design 1950 Wood Curved
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Magazine racks Cesare Lacca Mid-Century Modern Italian design 1950 wood curved.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

News Paper Stand, Vienna, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
News paper stand, Vienna, circa 1950s Original condition Original patina.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Frederick Weinberg Pink Poodle Magazine Stand
Located in Stamford, CT
Frederick Weinberg pink poodle metal wire magazine Stand. Darling!
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Magazine Racks and Stands

Materials

Metal

Maison Baguès Midcentury Brass and Chestnut Wood French Magazine Rack, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Handmade magazine rack in brass and chestnut wood, beautifully made during the 1950s in France. Between the two chesnut slabs, you will find your favourite magazines or books laid...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Mid-Century Italian Magazine Rack with Perforated Metal and Classic Design Brass
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Mid-Century Italian Magazine Rack With Perforated Metal and Classic Design Brass. On request the brass part can be polished, without any additional cost.
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Rare Mathieu Matégot Double Folded Black Metal Magazine Holder, France, 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare Mathieu Matégot double folded black metal magazine holder, France, 1950s.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Magazine Wedge Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
Located in Hanover, MA
John Keal for Brown Saltman mahogany side table with trapezoid wedge-shaped top flanking a magazine rack, on tapering dowel leg frame with brass-capped feet. Brown-Saltman decal on u...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Rare Asymmetrical Mathieu Matégot Magazine Holder in Red Metal, circa 1950
Located in Den Haag, NL
Magazine holder designed by Mathieu Matégot, rare Asymmetrical model in red metal. Manufactured by Ateliers Matégot, circa 1950. Folded, perforated metal.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mahogany Magazine Rack Geometric Shape Italian Design Midcentury Glass Parts
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Mahogany magazine rack geometric shape Italian design midcentury glass parts.
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Newspaper Stand Vienna, 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Newspaper stand Vienna, 1950s Original condition.
Category

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

Materials

Brass, Metal

Rare Black Lacquered Metal, Leather and Plaid Fabric Magazine Rack
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This rare magazine rack is made of fabric and leather on a black lacquered metal base, plaid fabric. This is a very nice French work, circa 1950.
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Magazine Rack Mid-Century Modern Italian Design Wood Brass Geometric Shape 1950
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Magazine rack Mid-Century Modern Italian design wood brass Geometric shape, 1950.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Old Mid-Century Modern Italian Design Brass Magazine Rack Vintage Prints, 1950s
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Mid-Century Modern Italian design brass magazine rack and vintage prints, 1950s, Particular form. On request the brass part can be polished, without any additional cost.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1950 French Mategot Style Magazine Rack Brass Woven Wire Mesh Mid-Century Modern
Located in Miami, FL
1950 Mid-Century Modern French Mategot style magazine rack in distressed paint finish. Hand-Woven Wire Mesh compartment on 4 legs with Brass Decoration. The Brass is polished, the wi...
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

Exceptional Mid-Century Modern Bast Magazine Rack with Heavy Metal Shelf
Located in München, DE
Exceptional rare Mid-Century Modern newspaper and magazine rack made of braid and black metal frame and one shelf on the top. Great rare design of heavy black painted metal. The ne...
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Walter Lamb Style Iron and Rope Magazine Stand
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Walter Lamb mid-century style magazine stand with iron base and zig zag cotton rope accent.
Category

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

Materials

Iron

Mahogany Magazine Rack Mid-Century Modern Italian Design 1950s Geometric Shape
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Mahogany magazine rack Mid-Century Modern Italian design 1950s geometric shape.
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Magazine Holder Chair Sculpture by Allen Ditson, 1950's
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Allen Ditson walnut and cord magazine holder, in the shape of a small chair, circa late 1950s. This all original one-off example is executed in beautifully grained walnut and was pur...
Category

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

Materials

Cord, Walnut

Midcentury Magazine Rack Round Form Bamboo Design Brown Color Italian
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Midcentury magazine rack round form bamboo design brown color Italian.
Category

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

Materials

Bamboo

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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