Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
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
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
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 celebrated 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.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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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1,547
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98
89
75
50
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22
7
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1,325
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246
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35
275
342
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1,297
713
352
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972
465
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1,365
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Excellent Rosewood Roll Top Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Classic roll top desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar with leather footrest. This stately executive desk is beautifully constructed of rosewood and mahogany. With two sliding roll-tops,...
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Metal Desk, Top Covered with Faux Leather, circa 1960
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Metal desk, top covered with faux leather circa 1960
Maybe a former dentist's office.
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Fabulous Double Pedestal Lucite Tusk Table Desk by Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous double pedestal Lucite tusk table/desk by Charles Hollis Jones. Three curved Lucite pillars make up the two bases of this Tusk table by Char...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Lucite
1960 Mid-Century Modern Italian Design Brushed Steel Crystal Desk
Located in Brescia, IT
This modern Italian design desk, has been made in Milano, in circa 1960, an item of the ones custom made produced specially for the store Rinascente Milano.
Slim and modern shape, w...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Vintage Swedish Sycamore Drop Leaf Desk
Located in London, GB
A stylish and very well made vintage Swedish sycamore drop leaf desk, dating from the 1960’s.
This is of amazing quality and has a wonderful design. It is large and impressive, with...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1960
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak desk, Edition Votre Maison circa 1960.
Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset.
The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the Mazaurien Lake. A stalag, a wooden camp... Gathered by the absurd consequences of war, men from different universes are here. Among them, Jacques Chambron and Robert Guillerme struggle daily to preserve what matters most to them : human dignity.
The war is endless. To bear the present they design a project for future.
Winter 1944 : the war comes to an end. With other companions in exile, Chambron and Guillerme escape and cross the Nazi line, and join the port of Odessa, the Bosphore and Marseille in France.
It is now 1946 and war –torn France is a land of severe restrictions in need of reconstruction. Both men return to their original occupations. Guillerme with a 1934 major from “Ecole Boule” moves back to Lille to design furniture for Atelier Rogie. Chambron, who holds an art degree, returns to his studio in Paris to paint. Because of time and distance contact is limited between them.
In 1948 Jacques Chambron and his family move to Lille and the initial project begins to take shape. Chambron and Guillerme meet Emile Dariosecq, a furniture manufacturer, and in 1949 the company Votre Maison sees the light.
Guillerme designs the furniture, Chambron markets it and Dariosecq manufactures it. Together they define a new style and impose a new concept. The originality of their collaroration reflects on the furniture. Quickly the style Votre Maison is defined as quality furniture that is easy to leave with. Guillerme designs chests, sideboards, chairs, sofas, lighting, all complementing one another and manufactured in limited editions. Wood, leather, ceramic and fabric, all design are sincere and authentic.
Chambron plays an important part in making the public accept this new furniture and convinces them to move away from the common place. Distribution of the furniture is done primarily through the company itself, on some occasions by architects and interior designers.
In the early seventies, Hervé Chambron, Jacques'son, joins the Votre Maison company. Also a graduate from Ecole Boule, he becomes Robert Guillerme's assistant and creates his own designs from 1983, bthe year when Jacques Chambron and Robert Guillerme retire.
Today, the designs of Robert Guillerme are referred to as “French wood furniture...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Faux Leather, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Florence Knoll for Knoll international, 1970s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Florence Knoll for Knoll international
Biography :
Born to a baker, and orphaned at age twelve, Florence Schust grew up Saginaw, Michigan. Schust demons...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble
Børge Mogensen Drop Leaf Desk in Teak for Søborg
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A really special drop-leaf desk by Børge Mogensen for Søborg Mobler, Denmark.
This example produced in teak with a stainless steel base and a very rare White laminate drop-leaf. ...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Stainless Steel
Farsø Stolefabrik Designed Desk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Farsø Stolefabrik for Maurice Villency rosewood mid-century desk. Beautiful deep grain throughout, aluminum handles, quality construction.
Please confirm location NY or NJ
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Italian Red Lacquered Wood Desk from the 50s
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Red lacquered wood desk from the 50s, Italian.
Desk 1950s
Country: Italian
Materials: Red lacquered wood
Finish: polyurethanic lacquer
It is an ...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
French Modern Neoclassical Ebony & Leather Desk /Writing Table, JeanMichel Frank
Located in New York, NY
An elegant French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical desk in the style of Jean-Michel Frank. The piece was hand made by a small French workshop and is original in design, handsome and f...
Category
1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
$7,840 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-Century Double-Sided Executive Birch Desk Imexcotra
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century Double-Sided Executive Birch Desk Imexcotra
Mid-Century desk was manufactured in Belgium by Imexcotra, during the 1950s.
Imexcotra was a Belgian company, founded after WW...
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Vintage Modern Walnut Writing Desk by Harvey Probber
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern writing desk by Harvey Probber. This desk features walnut construction, ample leg room, and three drawers for storage of files and odds and ends. A beautiful vinta...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
$2,800 Sale Price
30% Off
Mid-Century Modern Italian Desk, Wood and Glass, 1950s
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Desk, Wood and Glass, 1950s.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood
Roll Top Standing Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A unique and elegant lectern in walnut with a roll top cover and a single drawer.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
"Kroma" Desk by Antonia Astori for Driade, Italy, 1980s
Located in Brussels, BE
Architect, designer, and entrepreneur, Antonia Astori began her own design activity within the Driade company, founded with her brother Enrico and Adelaide Acerbi, to whom she offers highly professional and creative achievements.
For Driade organizes the exhibition space for trade shows and promote their corporate visibility.
Also plans stores Marithè and Francois...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
1960's French Bureau/Secetaire Desk
Located in London, Lambeth
Excellent storage desk with 3 draws, glass top shelve and pull down table
surface. Lockable unit compact design .Cc 1960's French
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Satin
Three Drawer Teak Desk with Leather Insert in Top Designed by Severin Hansen
Located in Stamford, CT
A striking Danish Teak desk designed by Severin Hansen, with great proportions and characteristic seamless joinery. Sleek silhouette.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak, Leather, Birch
Desk by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis, circa 1960
By Olivetti, Studio BBPR
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
desk and his lamp by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis, circa 1960
The keys are present,
some scratches on the board.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
$4,493 / set
Willy Van Der Meeren Desk for Tubax, circa 1950, Formica, Metal, Wood, 38 Avai
Located in Brussels, BE
Willy Van Der Meeren desk for Tubax, circa 1950, Formica, metal, wood- 38 available.
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Copper State River Table
Located in Frankfurt, KY
A bird's eye view of a desert river, reimagined as functional art. Spalted maple from the Atlantic coast in a unique combination; hand-cut inlaid pacifica blue glass and custom solid copper bowtie keys both divide the glass and join together the two pieces of maple. Completed with bespoke steel frame to complete this one-of-a-kind river table...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Steel, Copper
$22,460
Mid Century Modern French Black Lacquered metal table or desk
Located in London, GB
Unusual French industrial style black lacquered metal dining table or desk.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Modern Black Lacquer Occasional Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage modern occasional table and desk, in black lacquered wood, featuring a glass top shelf, lower wooden shelf, and brass fixtures. This piece showcases both straight and tapered...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Willy Van Der Meeren Desk by Tubax Belgium 1955
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Nice Industrial desk designed by Willy Van Der Meeren and manufactured by Tubax, Belgium 1955. This typical fifties Industrial desk has a very nice Industrial look with the black metal folded v structure...
Category
1950s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Wood, Leather and Bronze Desk, Argentina, circa 1950
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Wood, leather and bronze desk. Argentina, circa 1950.
Category
1950s Argentine Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Mid-Century Modern TL2 Cavalletto desk/dining table by Franco Albini for Poggi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern TL2 Cavalletto desk/dining table by Franco Albini for Poggi, 1950s
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Little Box for SESC Pompeia by Lina Bo Bardi , 2022, Marcenaria Baraúna
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Design：Lina Bo Bardi, Marcelo Ferraz, André Vainer
Material：Solid Pine, Melamine laminate, with casters
Designed by Lina Bo Baldi in 1986, this children's desk was created for insta...
Category
1880s Brazilian Antique Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Rosewood Desk Brazilian Midcentury Design by Joaquim Tenreiro, 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Original condition.
Category
1960s Brazilian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Pierre Jeanneret PJ-TA-11-A Collapsible Work Table / Authentic Mid-Century
Located in Zürich, CH
The relationship between the different shapes ensures a balanced composition. The careful alignment and proportions create an equilibrium, giving a sense of coherent design. Both ten...
Category
1960s Indian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak, Cedar
Glass and oak modern desk
Located in New York, NY
Glass and oak modern desk.
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Oak
$11,500
Mahogany Writing Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An octagonal mahogany writing desk designed by Edward Wormley with a single drawer. Made by Dunbar in the USA, circa 1957.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
André Sornay Formica desk table from the 1950s
By Andre Sornay
Located in Grenoble, FR
André Sornay Formica desk table from the 1950s
model made for Sonacotra fireplaces and available in several versions. Very good condition of the top, scratches from use on the base
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Formica, Wood
Vanity or Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A solid wood double pedestal desk or vanity with demilune curve to accommodate seating and vertically stacked dowel drawer pulls.
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Rare Desk Set by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis, circa 1960
By Studio BBPR, Olivetti
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Rare desk set by BBPR for Olivetti Synthesis, including a desk, a storage unit, an office chair, a lamp and a wastepaper basket
storage unit: 76 x ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Desk by Bergwood, Circa 1975
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Modern desk by Bergwood - circa 1975.
Category
1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Casablanca Brass, Mexican Walnut and Black Leather Desk / Nomade Atelier Design
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
A striking balance between sharp edges and soft leather pocketing is found in the Casablanca desk by contemporary Nomade Atelier ´s Mexican design. Secr...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
White Mid Century Table Made in´50s Czechia, Designed by František Jirák
By Tatra, Frantisek Jirak
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
White mid century table made in´50s Czechia. Designed by František Jirák and made by Tatra Nábytok. The table is made out of lacquered w...
Category
1950s Czech Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Michel Boyer Console Table with Modular Aluminum Structure in X
By Michel Boyer
Located in Grenoble, FR
Michel Boyer (1935-2011)
Console table with modular aluminum structure in X, supporting a glass top Around 1968
AG Bibliography:- FAVARDIN Patrick, Les Décorateurs des 1970s, éd....
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Aluminum
Desk by A. Bender Madsen and Ejner Larsen for Willy Beck Cabinetmaker
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Interesting and rare Danish designed desk by A. Bender Madsen and Ejner Larsen and manufactured by Willy Beck. Desk features a 21-inch drop-leaf. Ta...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood, Teak
Modernist Table from USA
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A rectangular stainless steel framed dining table/ desk with a white marble top. Two tables could be placed end to end to make one continuous ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Marble, Chrome, Steel
$9,500
Rare 1970s Off-White Plastic Children Desk with Stool, circa 1970
By Joe Colombo
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Polyester
Gio Ponti Office Desk in Wood and Glass for Bnl Italian Manufacture 1950s Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Montecatini Terme, IT
Office desk with two frontal drawers with structure in wood, top in colored glass and brass details (keyholes, keys and feet), originally designed by Gio Ponti for the offices of the...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Desk with Drawer Unit in Solid Pine by Dutch Designer Ate Van Apeldoorn
Located in Beerse, VAN
Beautiful desk with drawer unit designed by Dutch designer Ate van Apeldoorn for Houtwerk Hattem.
Ate van Apeldoorn designed in a minimalist style that reminds us of the designs of ...
Category
1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Bloch Desk by Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in London, England
Bloch Desk by Joaquim Tenreiro
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
Fine French Mid-Century Lacquered Desk by Raphael
Located in Long Island City, NY
Raphael (Raphael Raffel, 1912-2000) Rare Beka lacquer pedestal desk with three drawers, a black lacquered base and bronze details.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Price Upon Request
Fine French 1950s Leather Covered Desk and Chairs by Jacques Adnet
Located in Long Island City, NY
Jacques Adnet (1900 - 1984) - A fine French mid-century leather-covered curved desk with patinated metal details, a compass style cherry frame with tapered legs finished with silver-...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Cherry
Price Upon Request
Bloch Desk by Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in London, England
This piece belonged to BLOCH EDITORES S.A. BUILDING which commissioned its interiors to Joaquim Tenreiro and Sergio Rodrigues.
This desk presents both a patrimony label with an identification number as well as labels from "Tenreiro Moveis e Decoracoes...
Category
Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Price Upon Request
Mid-century Modern desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern desks and writing tables 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 desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, case pieces and storage cabinets, seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desks and writing tables, popular names associated with this style include Cassina, Lawson-Fenning, Charlotte Perriand, and Paul McCobb. 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 desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $299 and tops out at $184,000 while the average work can sell for $4,773.
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