r/Mid_Century • • 27d 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.

108 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 • • 32m ago

Lane Acclaim Boomerang

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• Upvotes

r/Mid_Century • • 8h ago

Silver Atomic Starburst Moonstone Pendant

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134 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century • • 21h ago

My MCM Office

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833 Upvotes

Some wonderful vintage pieces from my local, wonderful MCM store, with a rug and couch from IKEA.

Now a need a good MCM chair for my desk. . .


r/Mid_Century • • 17h ago

Lane Acclaim scored for $180!

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174 Upvotes

I’m glad to have the chance at owning these two pieces by Lane! I’d like to return them as close to original as possible


r/Mid_Century • • 5h ago

How can I restore this MCM metal wall decor? (2nd picture has the most damage) - FB Marketplace find for $6

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9 Upvotes

Specifically the spotting/damage on the bottom - the piece appears to be paint with a stain on top. Should I try to just match the gold and paint that? 😭


r/Mid_Century • • 1d ago

Which ones would you keep? I’m having a serious dilemma. Second photo isn’t mine, but I have those chairs in the garage and need to get them redone. Second chairs are also oak and leather made in Finland.

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94 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century • • 13h ago

Vintage Mid-Century Japan Kagami Crystal Optical Cut Footed Flower Vase.

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3 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century • • 1d ago

Sold to me as an LP storage cabinet. There’s no way that’s what this is. Any ideas?

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708 Upvotes

Ok. So I picked this up for 100$ and I’m happy with it, but I know this isn’t a cabinet for lp storage. The dimensions are off, the access is great but there are channel on the inside that don’t line up as a storage for records. Also, the dropdown shelf serves no purpose as an lp cabinet. The legs are unlacquered bronze.What is this thing??

Edit: Upon further inspection, it has two areas on either side with channels that would form a box. Also, there are holes in that same spot that indicate that something was held there by screws and that whatever it was, caused wear patterns.
It’s too low for a desk, it’s too short for accommodating liquor bottles.
It’s staying as an LP Storage unit.


r/Mid_Century • • 1d ago

Almost finished with this restoration

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672 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century • • 1d ago

Gerald Thurston Lamp?

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27 Upvotes

Found at a goodwill and it looks like it could be. But I have no idea and honestly it’s just a cool lamp so plan on keeping it versus flipping it. Any help identifying is much appreciated!


r/Mid_Century • • 21h ago

Kodawood identity

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9 Upvotes

I’m working on restoring these two chairs and I can’t find any pictures so as to keep the upholstery authentic looking. I know the back had a welt around it. It was done in two pieces, but I’m not sure about the base.


r/Mid_Century • • 15h ago

Vintage Fenton Art Glass Beaded Melon Ruffled Vase - Mid-Century Silver Crest Style

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2 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century • • 1d ago

Sofa Identification Help

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10 Upvotes

Hello All!
I’m not sure if this is the proper sub to ask about this, but here goes- I’m considering purchasing this really cool 70’s modular sofa on marketplace.

I’m trying to identify it, but can’t find anything on it- any ideas? The seller said there is an additional corner piece not pictured. Thanks for any and all help!


r/Mid_Century • • 1d ago

Authentication request if possible

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18 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to purchase a pre owned Noguchi coffee table with walnut bottom.

Could anyone be kind enough to potentially authenticate the piece? From the early 2000s. No Noguchi etching or other HM sticker/branding.

Seller confirmed 3/4 inch glass weighing 120 pounds.

I can get additional pictures but will go see it in person as well. Anything I should be looking for specifically?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!


r/Mid_Century • • 1d ago

Fixing minor blemishes on a MCM walnut tallboy.

1 Upvotes

I don't want to refinish the piece, but I would like to fix, disguise, or refresh a few minor blemishes on the top. Is there a specific product or technique anyone could recommend? I don't want to damage the veneer with the wrong product. Thanks!


r/Mid_Century • • 3d ago

The free Brasilia distribution gods smiled upon me today

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3.9k Upvotes

Needs a little makeup removal. And my Uber driver was pissed at me, but I finally found one in the wild on the curb!


r/Mid_Century • • 1d ago

How do I remove the discoloration from a Nelson Spindle Clock?

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3 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century • • 2d ago

Won this at auction for $10 it was labeled as mid century. Can anyone confirm if it's true mid century? I can't open the centre to see if there's a makers mark in the centre leaf atm

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49 Upvotes

Wondering if it's worth it to rent a truck to take home or if best to re give it back to the auction if it's a replica. Thanks in advance!


r/Mid_Century • • 3d ago

Nabbed a tension pole lamp for $25!!

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704 Upvotes

Nabbed this tension pole lamp for $25 this morning and as I was handing the cash over she asked if I wanted to walk through the house to see if there was anything else I wanted!! Turns out her Uncle had recently passed and she was in charge of cleaning out his property. Grabbed this set of statues…they called to me but I have no idea what they’re meant to depict. I think maybe Bali dancers? Any ideas?


r/Mid_Century • • 2d ago

Are these Arne Hovmand-Olsen model 240? They have no hallmarks.

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22 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century • • 2d ago

need help with this chair

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13 Upvotes

this chair was my grandmothers, and i’m trying to decide what to do with it. there are no markings on it to indicate who made it and it’s not in the greatest shape. any ideas?


r/Mid_Century • • 2d ago

Just had such a good look to it! Adjustable table from goodwill for $14.99. I think it might be designed by Danny Ho Fong in the 1950’s, but I might be wrong. Good design, regardless!

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64 Upvotes

r/Mid_Century • • 1d ago

Is this Rway set worth restoring?

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0 Upvotes