Skip to main content

Space Age Bookcases

SPACE AGE STYLE

Vintage Space Age furniture captured post–World War II optimism with swooping shapes, bowed lines and experimentation with new materials including plastic and fiberglass.

From the launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite in 1957 to the landing of Apollo 11 astronauts on the moon in 1969, the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States propelled advancements in technology that transformed culture. Space Age design encompassed fashion, architecture, cars, furniture and objects for the home, bringing wonder and hope for the future into everyday life.

Coinciding with Pop art, Space Age style featured bold colors and forms. Eero Aarnio’s Ball chair, which debuted in 1966, used molded fiberglass for a capsule-like space while Verner Panton’s 1959 Panton chair was a single piece of molded plastic for a gravity-defying S shape. Red versions of Olivier Mourgue’s 1964 Djinn chair were futuristic enough to appear on the space station in Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Today, Joe Colombo is revered as a master of modern Italian design thanks to the provocative modular furniture pieces he created, such as the Tube chair and the Elda armchair, both of which embody the future-forward spirit of the Space Age.

The Space Age spirit extended to home building too. The futuristic Case Study Houses, which were designed by the likes of Pierre Koenig, Charles and Ray Eames, Richard Neutra and Whitney R. Smith, are considered a high point of modernism and the Southern California lifestyle.

Sometimes the nods to space exploration were more literal, like moon and star motifs or the 1965 Eclisse lamp by Vico Magistretti that saw the mid-century Italian designer integrating a movable inner shade to “eclipse” the light source. Alongside the pioneering moon missions, JVC manufactured the Videosphere portable television reminiscent of the Apollo 11 space helmets.

Although the style faded in the 1970s — with the 1975 joining of the Apollo and Soyuz spacecrafts signaling a new era of cooperation and the global oil crisis impacting the availability of plastics — the era’s innovations influenced designers into the 21st century such as Zaha Hadid and Djivan Schapira.

Find a collection of vintage Space Age seating, tables, lighting and other furniture on 1stDibs.

to
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
12
3
17
1,013
680
240
233
227
164
160
139
73
51
50
43
42
37
25
22
12
7
17
5
12
3
9
1
8
5
4
4
2
14
10
4
3
3
17
17
17
2
2
1
1
1
Style: Space Age
Set of 5 SPACE-AGE Concrete BOOKCASES by WILLY GUHL for ETERNIT, Swiss 1970
Set of 5 SPACE-AGE Concrete BOOKCASES by WILLY GUHL for ETERNIT, Swiss 1970

Set of 5 SPACE-AGE Concrete BOOKCASES by WILLY GUHL for ETERNIT, Swiss 1970

By Willy Guhl

Located in PARIS, FR

A set of 5 (on a total of 20 identical pieces!!!) modular concrete bookcases, Modernist, Free Form, Brutalist, rectangular loop cases with rounded edges, with a great grey patina wit...

Category

1970s French Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Concrete

Large UMBO "Architectural Wall" Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles
Large UMBO "Architectural Wall" Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles

Large UMBO "Architectural Wall" Modular Shelving System by Kay Leroy Ruggles

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in San Diego, CA

Striking UMBO modular shelving system designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles and produced by Umbo Design Inc. during the 1970s. This iconic modular furniture system exemplifies the bold exper...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Libreria Modulare in Legno Laccato - Carlo De Carli per Fiarm - Italia - Anni 70
Libreria Modulare in Legno Laccato - Carlo De Carli per Fiarm - Italia - Anni 70

Libreria Modulare in Legno Laccato - Carlo De Carli per Fiarm - Italia - Anni 70

By Carlo di Carli

Located in Milano, IT

La libreria in foto, attribuita a Carlo De Carli, prodotta da Fiarm negli anni '70 del XX secolo, è composta da due corpi distinti ma offre la possibilità di unirli in un unico eleme...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Bentwood

Iconic Michel Dumas Plexiglas Bookcase – 1970s French Space Age Design
Iconic Michel Dumas Plexiglas Bookcase – 1970s French Space Age Design

Iconic Michel Dumas Plexiglas Bookcase – 1970s French Space Age Design

By Michel Dumas

Located in Oirlo, LI

This striking bookcase by Michel Dumas is a powerful expression of 1970s French space-age design. Crafted from high-quality Plexiglas, the piece showcases Dumas’s mastery of trans...

Category

1970s French Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plexiglass

Orange Coral steel freestanding Congress Bookcase by Lips Vago, 1968
Orange Coral steel freestanding Congress Bookcase by Lips Vago, 1968

Orange Coral steel freestanding Congress Bookcase by Lips Vago, 1968

By Lips Vago

Located in Varese, Lombardia

Congress model bookcase produced by Lips Vago since the 60s in painted steel. The bookcase is completely dismantled and its shelves adjustable in height. This is one of the best book...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Bookcase and bar, 1960, italian , Material: Wood and (parchment leather)
Bookcase and bar, 1960, italian , Material: Wood and (parchment leather)

Bookcase and bar, 1960, italian , Material: Wood and (parchment leather)

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Bookcase Year: 1960 Country: French Wood and parchment leather It is an elegant and sophisticated bookcase. You want to live in the golden years, this is the bookcase that your pro...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Leather

1970s French Smoked Plexiglass Floor Stands Space Age Design
1970s French Smoked Plexiglass Floor Stands Space Age Design

1970s French Smoked Plexiglass Floor Stands Space Age Design

Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT

A pair of smoked plexiglass floor stands produced in France during the 1970s. Their design captures the transition between late-Mid-Century clarity and the sculptural optimism of the Space Age era. Each stand is crafted from thick molded plexiglass with solvent-bonded joints, achieving both structural strength and refined transparency. The smoked amber tone filters light softly, creating luminous reflections that bring warmth to contemporary interiors. Measuring 40 × 30 × 30.5 cm, the pieces function beautifully as floor displays, modular pedestals, or record holders. Their form recalls the experimental use of acrylic and lucite in 1970s French furniture...

Category

1970s French Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Living room and bookcase set Attr. a Acerbis black with display cabinet
Living room and bookcase set Attr. a Acerbis black with display cabinet

Living room and bookcase set Attr. a Acerbis black with display cabinet

By Acerbis

Located in Milano, IT

In the world of vintage Italian furniture, few pieces are as striking and versatile as your Black Acerbis lounge and bookcase set from the 1970s. This collection, comprising three di...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Modular Storage Units 'Incubo' by Rodolfo Bonetto for Artemide, Italy, 1970s
Modular Storage Units 'Incubo' by Rodolfo Bonetto for Artemide, Italy, 1970s

Modular Storage Units 'Incubo' by Rodolfo Bonetto for Artemide, Italy, 1970s

By Flair

Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT

Designed in the early 1970s by Rodolfo Bonetto for Artemide Milano, the "Incubo Quadro" modular storage units are a brilliant fusion of conceptual design and functional utility. Each...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Italian Space Age plastic magazine rack or bookcase by Aramis, 1970s
Italian Space Age plastic magazine rack or bookcase by Aramis, 1970s

Italian Space Age plastic magazine rack or bookcase by Aramis, 1970s

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian Space Age red, orange and white plastic magazine rack or bookcase by Aramis, 1970s Modular bookcase or magazine rack composed of eight compartments in white, orange and red A...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Arched Rattan Accordion Etagere
Vintage Arched Rattan Accordion Etagere

Vintage Arched Rattan Accordion Etagere

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This exceptional vintage etagere is a masterwork of Hollywood Regency design, perfectly capturing the breezy elegance and sophisticated whimsy of 1970s Palm Beach style. Crafted from...

Category

Late 20th Century American Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Wicker, Rattan, Glass

Small 80s bookcase
Small 80s bookcase

Small 80s bookcase

Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO

Small 1980s bookcase with yellow lacquered metal tubular frame and 5 white laminate shelves. Easily placed in all rooms of the house.

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Bookcase in Glass and Iron, 1960, French
Bookcase in Glass and Iron, 1960, French

Bookcase in Glass and Iron, 1960, French

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Bookcase Year: 1960 Country: French It is an elegant and sophisticated bookcase. You want to live in the golden years, this is the bookcase that your project needs. We have special...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Iron

Related Items
Danish Modern Large Rosewood Bookcase, 1970s.
Danish Modern Large Rosewood Bookcase, 1970s.

Danish Modern Large Rosewood Bookcase, 1970s.

$3,308

H 78.94 in W 94.69 in D 19.69 in

Danish Modern Large Rosewood Bookcase, 1970s.

By Svend Ellekær, Ib Kofod-Larsen

Located in Asaa, DK

Danish Modern large rosewood bookcase, 1960s. Large and impressive Scandinavian Modern 2 bay bookcase in stunning bookmatched Rosewood/Palisander veneer. This two part Danish librar...

Category

1970s Danish Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Rosewood

Willy Guhl 46 Piece Modular Concrete Cube Bookcase, 1978 Switzerland
Willy Guhl 46 Piece Modular Concrete Cube Bookcase, 1978 Switzerland

Willy Guhl 46 Piece Modular Concrete Cube Bookcase, 1978 Switzerland

$17,600Sale Price / set|44% Off

H 94.49 in W 14.18 in D 133.86 in

Willy Guhl 46 Piece Modular Concrete Cube Bookcase, 1978 Switzerland

By Willy Guhl, Eternit

Located in grand Lancy, CH

Stunning monumental 46 piece concrete bookcase by Willy Guhl. Made up of 2 different sized hand-made concrete cubes.36 big size and 10 small size, Completely modular and able to be ...

Category

1870s Swiss Antique Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Concrete

Design Institute America Chrome and Glass Etageres / Bookcases, 1970s - A Pair
Design Institute America Chrome and Glass Etageres / Bookcases, 1970s - A Pair

Design Institute America Chrome and Glass Etageres / Bookcases, 1970s - A Pair

By Design Institute America

Located in Miami, FL

Pair of 1970s chrome and glass shelf bookcases or etageres attributed to Milo Baughman by DIA Design Institute America. Large Shelf Surface Area: W40.5" x D14.5" Small Shelf Surf...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Chrome

Willy Guhl Concrete Octagonal Vase
Willy Guhl Concrete Octagonal Vase

Willy Guhl Concrete Octagonal Vase

$2,200

H 18.25 in W 15.5 in D 15.5 in

Willy Guhl Concrete Octagonal Vase

By Willy Guhl

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Concrete vase by Willy Guhl. Made of fiber cement. 8 sided with small base. Great vintage condition. Great oversized vase.

Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Cement

RITMICA Freestanding Double-side Modular Green Bookcase by Storagemilano
RITMICA Freestanding Double-side Modular Green Bookcase by Storagemilano

RITMICA Freestanding Double-side Modular Green Bookcase by Storagemilano

By Fratelli Boffi, Storagemilano

Located in Lentate sul Seveso, Monza e Brianza

Ritmica is a double-sided, load-bearing and modular bookcase, designed to integrate with elegance and functionality into living spaces and professional environments. The rack mechani...

Category

2010s Italian Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Walnut, Lacquer

Mogens Koch Bookcases Set of Three Bookcases for Rud. Rasmussen
Mogens Koch Bookcases Set of Three Bookcases for Rud. Rasmussen

Mogens Koch Bookcases Set of Three Bookcases for Rud. Rasmussen

$7,041 / set

H 29.93 in W 89.77 in D 11.03 in

Mogens Koch Bookcases Set of Three Bookcases for Rud. Rasmussen

By Mogens Koch, Rud Rasmussen

Located in Copenhagen, DK

Mogens Koch set of three bookcases in Oregon pine. Executed by Rud. Rasmussen. Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/NØRREBROGADE/KØBENHAVN.

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Rare Freestanding Bookcase in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1940's
Rare Freestanding Bookcase in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1940's

Rare Freestanding Bookcase in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1940's

By Josef Frank

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Rare Freestanding Bookcase in Mahogany by Josef Frank, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Mahogany Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced by Svenskt Tenn in Sweden Dimension...

Category

20th Century Swedish Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Mid Century Modern Danish Bookcase. Circa 1970s
Vintage Mid Century Modern Danish Bookcase. Circa 1970s

Vintage Mid Century Modern Danish Bookcase. Circa 1970s

$1,104Sale Price|20% Off

H 64 in W 36 in D 12.5 in

Vintage Mid Century Modern Danish Bookcase. Circa 1970s

Located in Miami, FL

Features a modern Scandinavian minimalist design with a beautiful teak wood grain. Offers plenty of storage space with three adjustable floating shelves edged with solid teak profile...

Category

1970s Danish Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Sky-Land Bookcase, 'Puntello Modulare' a Modular and Adaptable Bookcase
Sky-Land Bookcase, 'Puntello Modulare' a Modular and Adaptable Bookcase

Sky-Land Bookcase, 'Puntello Modulare' a Modular and Adaptable Bookcase

$2,646Sale Price|20% Off

H 124.02 in W 40.56 in D 9.45 in

Sky-Land Bookcase, 'Puntello Modulare' a Modular and Adaptable Bookcase

Located in Milano, Lombardia

Sky-floor bookcase 'Puntello Modulare' Puntello Modulare is a modular and adaptable sky-floor bookcase. Starting from our Prop, we have designed a modular system that allows you to ...

Category

2010s Italian Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Iron

Napoleon III Kingwood Freestanding Open Bookcase
Napoleon III Kingwood Freestanding Open Bookcase

Napoleon III Kingwood Freestanding Open Bookcase

$11,889

H 33.5 in W 29 in D 21.5 in

Napoleon III Kingwood Freestanding Open Bookcase

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

A Napoleon III kingwood freestanding open bookcase, of oval form with four angled, fluted pilasters, the top and three shelves covered with tooled green leather, applied with moulded...

Category

19th Century French Antique Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Kingwood

Previously Available Items
1970s French Smoked Plexiglass Floor Stands Space Age Design
1970s French Smoked Plexiglass Floor Stands Space Age Design

1970s French Smoked Plexiglass Floor Stands Space Age Design

Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT

A pair of smoked plexiglass floor stands produced in France during the 1970s. Their design captures the transition between late-Mid-Century clarity and the sculptural optimism of the Space Age era. Each stand is crafted from thick molded plexiglass with solvent-bonded joints, achieving both structural strength and refined transparency. The smoked amber tone filters light softly, creating luminous reflections that bring warmth to contemporary interiors. Measuring 40 × 30 × 30.5 cm, the pieces function beautifully as floor displays, modular pedestals, or record holders. Their form recalls the experimental use of acrylic and lucite in 1970s French furniture...

Category

1970s French Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

French 1970s Plexiglass Modular Cubes Smoked Acrylic Space Age Design
French 1970s Plexiglass Modular Cubes Smoked Acrylic Space Age Design

French 1970s Plexiglass Modular Cubes Smoked Acrylic Space Age Design

Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT

This rare pair of French 1970s plexiglass modular cubes represents the innovative use of plastics in the Space Age era. Each cube is crafted from smoked PMMA sheets, heat-bent into s...

Category

1970s French Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

1970’s UMBO Shelves, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional
1970’s UMBO Shelves, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional

1970’s UMBO Shelves, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional

By Kay Leroy Ruggles

Located in Jersey City, NJ

Very hard to find 10 piece 1970’s UMBO Shelves, Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional. Original white has faded to varying degrees of beige, as typical, and ...

Category

20th Century Unknown Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Space Age Illuminated bookcase attributed to Joe Colombo, Italy, 1970
Space Age Illuminated bookcase attributed to Joe Colombo, Italy, 1970

Space Age Illuminated bookcase attributed to Joe Colombo, Italy, 1970

By Joe Colombo

Located in Padova, IT

Space Age revolving sculptural illuminated bookcase attributed to Joe Colombo; aluminum base, fiberglass structure, 8 bulbs inserted in the lower part controlled by a foot switch. Ve...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Aluminum

UMBO Modular Bookcase by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional
UMBO Modular Bookcase by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional

UMBO Modular Bookcase by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional

By Directional

Located in Chattanooga, TN

Fun and functionality coalesce with this customizable, space-age design. Perfectly suitable for your 12" vinyl collection. 1970's white and ivory, molded ABS plastic, modular "U...

Category

1970s American Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Libreria "Multiplo", Rodolfo Bonetto, Guzzini, Vintage for Sale, 1970 ITA
Libreria "Multiplo", Rodolfo Bonetto, Guzzini, Vintage for Sale, 1970 ITA

Libreria "Multiplo", Rodolfo Bonetto, Guzzini, Vintage for Sale, 1970 ITA

By iGuzzini, Rodolfo Bonetto

Located in Milano, IT

Libreria "Multiplo" disegnata da Rodolfo Bonetto per Guzzini storico marchio italiano creato da Enrico Guzzini nel 1912 a Recanati. La libreria è modulabile pertanto si può modula...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Red Fiberglass Library from Mim Roma - space age style design by Luigi Pellegrin
Red Fiberglass Library from Mim Roma - space age style design by Luigi Pellegrin

Red Fiberglass Library from Mim Roma - space age style design by Luigi Pellegrin

By MIM Roma

Located in Milano, IT

Space Age LIBRARY - Manufactured by MIM ROMA Stunning fiberglass library made between 1965-1975 for MIM ROMA a famous forniture retail in the center of Rome. The set is composed o...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Fiberglass

Large set of modular red and white shelves by Prisunic, France, 1970s
Large set of modular red and white shelves by Prisunic, France, 1970s

Large set of modular red and white shelves by Prisunic, France, 1970s

By Prisunic

Located in Lyon, FR

Unique set of modular shelves by Somm Paris for Prisunic, made in France in the 1970s. Prisunic is the ancestor of Monoprix, a big French supermarket, where you can also find clothes and designed furniture. Red, beige and white shelves...

Category

1970s French Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Plastic

Modular Bookshelf in Fiberglass by Astarte, 1970s
Modular Bookshelf in Fiberglass by Astarte, 1970s

Modular Bookshelf in Fiberglass by Astarte, 1970s

Sold

H 58.67 in W 106.3 in D 17.33 in

Modular Bookshelf in Fiberglass by Astarte, 1970s

By Astarte Milano

Located in Parma, IT

Modular fiberglass bookcase produced by Astarte-Milan in the 1970s. Composed of 6 curved modules in painted fiberglass with half-moon crystal shelves. The bookcase is modular in he...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Crystal

Italian Space Age Red Metal Congresso Bookcase by Lips Vago, 1970s
Italian Space Age Red Metal Congresso Bookcase by Lips Vago, 1970s

Italian Space Age Red Metal Congresso Bookcase by Lips Vago, 1970s

By Lips Vago

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian space age red metal Congresso bookcase by Lips Vago, 1970s Congress model bookcase with structure entirely in metal with six shelves, with hooking system to the upright to a...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Roberto Monsani for Acerbis Illuminated Wall Unit
Roberto Monsani for Acerbis Illuminated Wall Unit

Roberto Monsani for Acerbis Illuminated Wall Unit

Sold

H 86.62 in W 125.99 in D 23.63 in

Roberto Monsani for Acerbis Illuminated Wall Unit

By Roberto Monsani

Located in Bruxelles, BE

Roberto Monsani for Acerbis illuminated wall unit 6 black boxes each one with a light and fixed on 4 white wall panels with some plexi fixtures...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Bookcases

Materials

Smoked Glass, Plexiglass, Wood

Space Age bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Space Age bookcases for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bookcases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, plastic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Space Age bookcases 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 bookcases, popular names associated with this style include Directional, Michel Dumas, Roberto Monsani, and Roche Bobois. 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 bookcases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,595 and tops out at $32,630 while the average work can sell for $8,081.