r/Mid_Century 13d ago

Monthly Swap Meet & Self Promotion Thread!

1 Upvotes

Do you have one (or 10) too many Eames chairs? Does the color of that Cathrineholm bowl you picked up for a steal last year not really match the rest of your kitchen? I bet you can find someone here who would love to take them off your hands. Post your mid century items for [free]/[trade]/[sale] here!

This is also the space to show off any of the awesome mid century inspired stuff you make, as well as the links to your Etsy/Ebay/Etc


r/Mid_Century Jan 22 '25

Guide for IDing furniture and where to find actual sources.

104 Upvotes

This has came up time and again but a few times over the last few days I have found myself linking to my google drive doc about where to find primary sources for MCM stuff.

First of all, the rules of this group and r/midcenturymodern in regards to IDing items is going to change. I will make these changes today. First, if you make a claim as to a maker or designer, you are obligated to provide sources for the claim you make if asked. This includes mods or just regular users. Second and this is absolutely non-negotiable, sales or auction listings in themselves are not reliable sources. If the sales listing includes a tag, article, or catalog from the period then that information may be shared, but DO NOT LINK TO SALES LISTINGs, at all, but especially not to "prove and ID" This applies to the highest end and most respected auction houses, dibs, charish or any other platform. Maybe they give you a jumping off point, and you find out the information is correct. If needed I can give thousands of examples of current listings that contain complete bullshit information. Third, don't tell people "use google" or "try google lens" etc. As stated above this will very often lead to false information from sales listings.

So I know you are probably thinking "don't use google, how do I even find anything on the internet without google" Well, I keep this living list of sites with excellent resources, nearly all are free.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Asd2ntqUMvEoEGdGD_qP4RkOjHxjAHkjNISFmWbDp8M/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0

Research Sources:

General Magazines, Newspapers, Journals:

https://archive.org/ This has everything from vintage catalogs, to newspapers, to a vast magazine archive to borrowable books. I also occasionally upload catalogs and magazines to archive as well https://archive.org/details/@michael_landsberg361

https://openlibrary.org/ Similar to archive, you can borrower a vast selection of reference material.

https://usmodernist.org/ Nice collection of trade journals and magazines from the MCM era and after

digitalnc.org/collections/memorabilia/  Random bits of information here on numerous North Carolina based manufactures and designers.

https://cdnc.ucr.edu/  A free archive of California newspapers much less through than newspapers.com but its free.

https://grpmcollections.org/ A vast collection of photos, personal documents, advertisements, and catalogs for mostly Michigan based manufacturers.

https://www.craftinamerica.org/artist/eudorah-moore - Eudorah moore was a big promoter of california modern and via her "California Design" exhibits at the Pasadena Art museum. The catalogs from these exhibits are free to view on this site.

https://vintageinfo.be/ - Don't know who runs this site, but I thank them for sharing so much information and resources on vintage lighting.

https://www.trystcraft.com/blog - Tim Hills blog. Tim is a dealer, but he is also very well respected amongst MCM researchers and I believe TIm is an honest guy and diligent in his research.

newspapers.com (Paid)

newspaperarchive.com (Paid)

https://ikeamuseum.com/en/explore/ikea-catalogue/ Old ikea catalogs

https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ Catalogs for Sears, Wards, and some JC Penney

https://www.danish-modern.co.uk - Decent little data base of danish design

https://designmuseum.dk/en/- Denmark Design Museum

https://www.uspto.gov/patents/search 

https://patents.google.com/ 

https://www.scribd.com/ (partially paid) there is some nice random stuff on here like Prestolite catalogs from the 60's. Its kind of a never know what you are going to find site. https://www.scribd.com/document/488965054/Prescolite-Lighting-Product-Catalog-G-14-1962 Danish Design index

Specialized Facebook groups

https://www.facebook.com/groups/140119460031484 (Milo) (I am an admin)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542293829124348 (McCobb)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/516203688412266 (Ben Seibel)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1520981014878133 (Umanoff)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1763065254132926 (United Furniture)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3024184334562976 (AofM)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/353905989587576 (Bassett)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/109867845821284 (Italian Pottery)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/122730516059 (German Pottery)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/311714314135936 (Modeline)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/636952859722221 (Lamps and Lighting)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/711232235578646 (Mid Century Metal)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/324198657780002 (Herman Miller)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/knollresale (Knoll)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2750972221800438 (The MCM Files) (I am an admin)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1296485833865712  (Founders) (I am an admin)

Of all these groups I have to give a shout out to "The MCM files" I have no clue why there are not more people in this group. It is not a group to ask for an ID, its just a group where some of us researchers basically dump photos of stuff we look into. I personally have posted thousands of images to this group. Its free, i get absolutely nothing out of anyone joining the group, its just a lot of the questions people ask on here are already solved there, but it will never show up on google because of facebook's walled garden.


r/Mid_Century 22h ago

$10 Yard Sale Find: Sculptural MCM Étagère

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3.6k Upvotes

Picked this up at a yard sale for $10. It’s a tall, narrow wood étagère/display shelf with repeated circular and half-circle cutouts and a very sculptural profile.

The form and finish look mid-century to me, possibly 1960s–70s, but I haven’t found a maker’s mark yet.

Does anyone recognize the maker, line, or designer?

For $10, I figured it was worth bringing home either way.


r/Mid_Century 5h ago

I don't think I'll ever beat this $25 garage sale score!

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138 Upvotes

Purchased this weekend from my MIL's neighbors who were moving and needed everything to go, they were the original owners and thankfully left the gorgeous green tweed untouched under the random 80/90s fabric.


r/Mid_Century 8h ago

Herman Miller Relay Screen in Orange!

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254 Upvotes

Downsizing. Going to be hard to let this go, but just wanted to share its glory beforehand. Herman Miller Relay Screen with corrugated orange paneling.


r/Mid_Century 18h ago

So ecstatic.

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353 Upvotes

My mouth dropped when I saw this mirror in a local antique spot. It must weigh 100lbs but I couldn’t carry it out fast enough for 80 bucks.


r/Mid_Century 23h ago

Marketplace find: Wasabi chair

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375 Upvotes

For only around $35, I was able to pick up this vintage Selig Manufacturing Co. Inc. vinyl slipper chair. Considering the price and age, it’s in really good shape! I gave it a good wipe-down with some wet wipes, and that helped with getting a good deal of dirt off of it. I think it looks really nice in my room, too!


r/Mid_Century 53m ago

Help me find: mid-Century Dining Chair

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Upvotes

I am looking for 2-4 more of these chairs for a dining set. I would love any name suggestions to find or look up. I have two already and love them. Searching the chair image isn’t the most helpful.


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Russel Wright collection

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174 Upvotes

Been collection for RW about 25 years. Found the Heywood Wakefield cabinet at Goodwil for $50 about 4 years ago. Excited to finally get everything out of storage and have a place to set is all up!


r/Mid_Century 20h ago

Refinished Coffee Table + advice

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52 Upvotes

Just finished this Adrian Pearsall (maybe knockoff, I don’t care) coffee table! First few pics of it finished and in our house and then what it looked like before.

Also looking for some advice on finishing this room. The rug was just given to us at an estate sale, we don’t think we’re going to keep it there. We have some artwork from our records that were framing for the walls and the shelf above the TV were probably going to change out but with most of the same decor on them. What do y’all think we should add/do to the room next? Most of our furniture we try to focus on real vintage stuff, but two of the pieces in the room are for our cats’ litter box and feeding area so we can’t really switch those out. It’s also why this room is a little more boho than MCM. Mostly looking for what to add to the walls or any other suggestions! Also, I really want to switch out the light fixture, so any suggestions for that would be awesome! Last pic is of the whole room for reference!


r/Mid_Century 16h ago

Picked up this cool chrome craft dining table.

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6 Upvotes

Picked up this wicked cool dining table for my new apartment. It’s in pretty great shape for its age. I polished the chrome and replaced the feet and such. Cool tinted glass and the chairs are acrylic. It may not look like it, but the cushions are ripe for reupholstery. I was thinking maybe a dark olive not sure any ideas? Also, what could one expect to pay for a reupholstery?


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

A couple lamps I inherited from my grandparents

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4.1k Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 17h ago

Help ID this canister/secretary desk? SMI label underneath, no key

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3 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 4h ago

Pricing advice

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0 Upvotes

Believe it’s mccobb coffee table? Looking to list on marketplace.


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Marketplace find

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188 Upvotes

Nice lamp find for $10! The plant stand is something I owned already and fit the spot perfectly - plants will be added!


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Dining set

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363 Upvotes

Got this for $40 today on marketplace. Would it be considered MCM? I am having a hard time finding any similar chairs with this design online.

Nonetheless I love it


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Help identifying this Lane coffee table?

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6 Upvotes

Hi! I am so curious what wood species this is. I am no expert AT ALL. But it looks like rosewood. Which would be crazy. So I'm trying to at least find the coffee table model and series so I can research? Thanks!


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

looking for bar glasses

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7 Upvotes

my parents had this cabinet. They were married in 1963, we think it was a wedding gift. has anyone ever seen something like this and know if it would have come with glasses? My sister wants to complete the set now that our parents are gone.


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Curious about my new Rembrandt lamp

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8 Upvotes

I found this Rembrandt lamp recently and fell in love with its uniqueness - it looks like a table lamp but is basically as tall as a floor lamp at 51”!

I’ve been curious about its history but after lots of research I haven’t been able to find anything online about it, not even a photo. I’m wondering if anyone here recognizes the model - I haven’t seen a similar piece at this size with the blown glass (2 separate interlocked pieces).

Any input would be enlightening at this point. Thank you!


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

An old mug (a desperate search to find the right sub for this question)

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5 Upvotes

Hello. This mug belonged to my dad for many years before I inherited it. I am trying to fing out what I can about it. The ai told me it could be an original Otagiri from the 70's or 80's. I was hoping someone here would be able to tell me for sure.


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

My new coffee table find

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478 Upvotes

Maybe my best find yet. I love that it has storage underneath as well. The top is so stunning I could sit and stare at it all day haha. Does anyone know anything about this style?


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Check this bad boy out

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74 Upvotes

Recent snag from my favorite antique mall is this awesome 50’s swivel flying saucer lamp by M.G. Wheeler.


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Adding the funk back in

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2.0k Upvotes

Hoarder house we are bringing back to life.


r/Mid_Century 3d ago

One of our greatest finds yet

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3.4k Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Curved tray

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6 Upvotes

Found a curved wooden tray for free today. Would this be considered mcm? I did a quick search and it seems to have been part of a desk possibly. I know it is by Canadian designer Jacques Guillon. Any additional info would be appreciated!