Items Similar to Penguin Donkey Mark 2 Bookcase by Ernest Race for Isokon, 1963
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14
Penguin Donkey Mark 2 Bookcase by Ernest Race for Isokon, 1963
$1,600
£1,228.73
€1,408.11
CA$2,252.40
A$2,523.19
CHF 1,314.81
MX$30,777.72
NOK 16,708.25
SEK 15,754.69
DKK 10,509.75
About the Item
Excited to show you the petite Penguin Donkey Mark 2 bookcase by Ernest Race for Isokon, 1963, England. Originally designed in the late 1930s by Egon Riss and called "The Donkey" because the bookshelf is shaped like the saddle panniers that hang on the animals. Production was stopped after only 100 or so were made before the war. This version is called the Penguin Donkey Mark 2 and was reimagined by Ernest Race in 1963 for Penguin Books because the small bookcase stored the orange Penguin paperback books nicely. Penguin offered them for sale to their readers via mail order. Not many vintage models surface - especially in the United States. This is an original example from 1960 in very nice vintage condition with the original label underneath. There is slight wear and minor scuffs appropriate for its age.
We show this on the pictures.
Dimensions15.5" H (39.37 cmWidth: 21" W (53.34 cm 16" D (40.64 cm)
- Creator:Isokon (Manufacturer),Ernest Race (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 15.5 in (39.37 cm)Width: 21 in (53.34 cm)Depth: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Mahogany,Lacquered
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1963
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. This charming bookshelf has been lfet original and has some minor wear consistent with its age and vintage.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU6417244848622
Ernest Race
Ernest Race was a British textile artist and furniture designer, born in 1913, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. After graduating with a degree in interior design from London’s Bartlett School of Architecture, he joined the lighting firm, Troughton & Young, as a draughtsman. He was a key figure in the British furniture design industry in the 1900s, with his skill involving the use of ingenious manufacturing processes to create contemporary furniture from improvised or recycled materials.
After visiting a weaving village in India in 1937, Ernest returned to London and opened a shop in Knightsbridge, to sell textiles and carpets. He did not start designing furniture until just after World War II, when he answered an advertisement from engineer, J.W. Noel Jordan. His best-known designs are the BA3 aluminium chair of 1945 and the Antelope, designed for the “Festival of Britain” in 1951.
About the Seller
5.0
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2020
1stDibs seller since 2022
63 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: San Diego, CA
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllRare Mister Dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Diego, CA
A superb example of a Mid-century modern design, the mahogany tamboured Mister cabinet has an undulating face, expressive hairpin legs, and a useful sixteen drawer configuration. New...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Dresser in Mahogany and Leather for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley
Located in San Diego, CA
Uncommon Edward Wormley Dresser in Mahogany and Leather for Dunbar. Gorgeous restored vintage dresser with contrasting channelled recessed pulls in contrasting wood species. This pie...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Mahogany
$3,996 Sale Price
28% Off
Paul McCobb Calvin Group Irwin Collection Dresser with Pink Marble Top
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
Paul McCobb Calvin Group Dresser with dark Mahogany case, wood legs and stretcher and awesome pink marble Top. 2 doors open to reveal 4 drawers and an open cabinet with adjustable sh...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Marble
George Nelson Basic Series Dresser for Herman Miller in white and walnut.
By George Nelson
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful White and Walnut Chest of Drawers by George Nelson for Herman Miller. This dresser is from the Basic series with its iconic black lacquer wood legs, beautiful walnut case a...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
Materials
Metal
$4,036 Sale Price
20% Off
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Console by Calvin Group, Model C9315
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking example of timeless American modernism, this rare Paul McCobb console from the Irwin Collection for the Calvin Group (Model C9315) blends sculptural elegance with though...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Sideboards
Materials
Marble, Brass
William Hinn Walnut Dresser by The Swedish Furniture Guild
By Swedish Furniture Guild
Located in San Diego, CA
Introducing the rare and stunning William Hinn curved front dresser by The Swedish Furniture Guild for Urban Furniture. This Swedish Modern classic has been executed in Black walnut ...
Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Dressers
Materials
Walnut
You May Also Like
Gunni Omann Midcentury Scandinavian Wood Bookcase, 1960s
By Omann Jun Møbelfabrik, Gunni Omann
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern design dark wood bookcase designed by Gunni Omann and produced by Omann Jun Møbelfabrik in the 1960s, variable height position of shelves, Denmark 196...
Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
$3,688 Sale Price
20% Off
Danish Mid Century Poul Cadovius Wall Unit Bookcase Freestanding
By Poul Cadovius
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rare Poul Cadovius Single Wall Unit or Bookcase. Cabinets and Shelves can be re-arranged. 33wide 17deep 78tall
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Brass
Stylish Mid-Century Small Bookcase by Paul McCobb for Planner Group
By Paul McCobb
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish small bookcase for the Planner Group designed by architect and furniture designer Paul McCobb. Great to use in a children's room to keep all their books within reach for the...
Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Materials
Birch
$1,160 Sale Price
20% Off
Design Midcentury Bookcase by František Mezulánik, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
By Frantisek Mezulanik
Located in Praha, CZ
Rare mid-century bookcase, made by František Mezulánik for UP Závody, in the 1960's.
Made of wood.
Cleaned, applied reviving oil, shows signs of age, overall in great shape.
Category
Vintage 1960s Czech Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Mid century Wall Shelf Bookcase by František Jirák, Czechoslovakia 1960s
By Frantisek Jirak
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Mid-century wall-mounted bookcase by František Jirák, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
This vintage storage unit was designed by Frantisek Jirak for Tatra Nabytok. It dates from the 1960s and c...
Category
20th Century Czech Mid-Century Modern Shelves
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Danish Modern Rosewood Bookcase by Frits Henningsen
By Frits Henningsen
Located in New York, NY
Lovely Mid-Century Modern Bookcase, designed by prolific Danish furniture designer Frits Henningsen. Crafted in versatile Rosewood, this open bookcase is designed with low, sleek leg...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
Materials
Rosewood
More Ways To Browse
Vintage Penguin
Mail Cabinet
Saddle Cabinet
Petite Bookcase
Donkey Cabinet
Penguin Bookcase
Donkey Bookcase
Egon Riss
Isokon Donkey
Penguin Donkey Bookcase
Penguin Donkey
French Bamboo Bookcase
Teak Etagere
Wire Mesh Cabinet
Solid Cherry Bookcase
George Ii Bureau Cabinet
Globe Wernicke Mahogany
Midcentury Narrow Bookcase