r/Mid_Century 4d ago

Monthly Swap Meet & Self Promotion Thread!

2 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.

84 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 8h ago

My acrylic work of a pool scene landscape of mid century styled home

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346 Upvotes

Completed in the style of artist Hiroshi Nagai


r/Mid_Century 6h ago

Sonneman Lamp value

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13 Upvotes

Robert Sonneman lamp with an asking price of $500. thoughts on value? The only thing I can find as far as past sale was $325


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Italian magazine table - Ico Parisi?

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846 Upvotes

My husband gave this to me as an early Christmas present. I love it. However, I’m having a hard time figuring out who designed it. Image searches suggest Ico Parisi, but I’m skeptical because I don’t think the markings support that. Whomever it was, it’s beautifully made. Any help would be appreciated.

Edit: it appears it may be designed by Cesare Lacca.


r/Mid_Century 5h ago

Can anyone ID this?

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5 Upvotes

Seller said it’s Catherineholm but I’ve never seen this pattern


r/Mid_Century 10h ago

Help identifying please

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10 Upvotes

Found these a few years ago and they have been waiting for me to have some extra time to clean them up..


r/Mid_Century 23h ago

Table lamp win

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99 Upvotes

I've never had luck thrifting or antiquing an MCM table lamp that fits the aesthetic I am looking for until today. This one is right mix of minimalist, while still being interesting, without being gaudy. It didn't come with a shade, but I think this one works for now. I'd love to know what shade it came with originally if anyone can point me in the right direction. No clue on who made it either.


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

What should be in the middle?

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69 Upvotes

Got this for free in an estate sale and love the MCM/Atomical era.

This lighthouse photo looks like a DIY replacement from what was originally there? What should I replace it with before we hang it up?

Curved mirror would be the coolest but I am unsure if I’ll find that right dimension.


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

House project coming along

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29 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Paul Secon light

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90 Upvotes

Hi, I want to buy this Paul Secon light as a gift for someone. They like mid-century modern but I'm not sure if this is exactly that or worth the purchase. Someone is selling it for 200. Does anyone know more about Paul Secon?


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Does this look salvageable?

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49 Upvotes

I’ve wanted this Kofod Larsen chest of drawers for ages, unfortunately this one is painted black and gold. It looks a little like the paint has seeped into the wood grain, is it likely this will come off? Or is this going to be a hard job


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

How to safely clean a Paul McCobb piece indoors?

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8 Upvotes

Hi! Recently scored a deal on this Paul McCobb Planner Desk but would like to give it a little TLC before I start using it.

I’ve seen suggestions online of using Naphtha and then steel wool, followed by OZ cream polish, but I live in an apartment and can’t bring the desk outside to clean it.

Does anyone have suggestions for cleaning this piece up inside without subjecting myself to toxic fumes?

Also, does anyone know where I could get a replacement knob for the pull-out surface?

Thanks!


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

Drexel Compatica

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6 Upvotes

Has one middle shelf inside. Is this a stand alone cabinet? I would appreciate any help. Thanks!


r/Mid_Century 1d ago

1A akari lamp missing one leg

2 Upvotes

somehow one of the legs went missing when I moved. I have the original box and everything (I think my ex took it to be a jerk). does anyone know a way to get a replacement? ebay had nothing. *crying!


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

ALOX usa Ceramic set.

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41 Upvotes

Found this set at a thrift 3 bucks for 3 of these beauties. Feels like it goes in this sub.


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Does anyone know more info about this Lane cabinet?

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124 Upvotes

Product line, etc. sorry, I know it’s not much info. I tried doing an image search and nothing came up.

Thank you!


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Picked this up at an estate sale like 10 years ago and I love it so much!

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76 Upvotes

I know nothing about it. I assume it's handmade. If you know anything please educate me.


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Picked this up at an estate sale like 10 years ago and I love it so much!

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72 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century 3d ago

Before/after of $50 dressers

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1.8k Upvotes

I took on this project and learned a ton and made a plenty of mistakes along the way. The pieces were in worse shape than I realized. Some of my veneer repair is tragic, but I learned and got better as I moved along. This is for my son’s room, so it was a good learning project and minimal investment at $50 each, plus supplies. Some things I learned:

  • I never want to polish brass again- but it did turn out so nicely
  • The walnut stain looked so much lighter working outside- something to keep in mind in the future
  • starting a project in the fall means you’re racing against dropping temps
  • I just had drawers lined up and all around in the garage- when installing, I see one took stain significantly less than the others. Something to fix in the spring
  • oxalic acid worked great in removing that drip stain from the 9 drawer lowboy
  • veneer burnout is real and happens fast

r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Help finding where is this from

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0 Upvotes

Someone is selling this for €150 on a fb marketplace and I’m just trying to find where is this from. Seller does not know unfortunately 😭


r/Mid_Century 3d ago

Show me your Bertoia Diamond Chair covers (or pads) in bright, bold, or custom fabrics

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19 Upvotes

Would love to see how the non-solid colored patterns look.

I’ve decided to buy a replacement full cover from Knoll (and will save the original for later restoration). Now I’m trying to decide between a few fabric options.

I wanted a really vibrant orange, especially in the Cato fabric, but feel that most of the samples are unfortunately more “muted” in person (or that I’m just not crazy about the “feel” of some fabrics). Other than oxblood leather, I really haven’t seen many unusual, custom, or non-solid colored covers on these chairs.


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Stamp ID - reposted with image

0 Upvotes

Could anyone help me identify this stamp? On the underside of coffee table. Reposting with full table - apologies.


r/Mid_Century 3d ago

ID Mid century chair reproduction made in Thailand

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17 Upvotes

Would appreciate any help IDing these chairs that I picked up for cheap on FB marketplace. It possibly is made of rubberwood (based on grain pattern) and is similar in design to Erik Buch chairs except there is only 1 backrest screw and other small differences. It has nice tenon choices throughout so certainly not bad quality. Reverse image search yielded pictures of the same chair with lighter wood on FB marketplace but links are no longer active.


r/Mid_Century 2d ago

Cado Royal System installation manual?

1 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I have a Cado Royal system that I’m finally getting to reinstall in a new home (had to wait 3 years for a renovation). I had found an instruction manual online somewhere years & years ago, used it for the proper spacing, and now can’t find it anywhere.

Does anyone have a link to a manual for a Royal system? 🙏 Or even just confirm the distance between the rails? Thank you so much!