Sept. 29, 2011: I herewith doth declare that as of today, prices on ebay for mid century modern treasures (or not) have crossed over into insanity. I had to work too hard to find these 10 items for you, my lovelies. Too many sellers being influenced by 1st Dibs, maybe, or by the rollicking popularity of mid century design style? I don’t know who is going to buy this stuff at the BIN priced being listed.
What about where you live, readers?
Are prices for mid mod high — or low?
Is stuff plentiful — or rare? What’s going on?
Where I live, there’s plenty. It’s still plenty cheap. And I think there’s much more yet to come out of original owner homes. On the other hand, I was talking to a friend who lives in New York City yesterday — she said it’s slim pickin’s for mid mod down there — everything gets snapped up. I don’t sell anything on ebay — I hoard all my vintage delights. But maybe with the frenzy seemingly under way, I will have to start playing the market. Baby needs a new pair of shoes. (NOS vintage, preferably.)
Beth says
I’m seeing some of what you’re seeing, but it’s different in the Midwest. We’re always a few years behind, but in Minneapolis there are some savvy shoppers and dealers. We have some very good Mid-century dealers (we bought Kagan-esque coffee tables from Spinario in NE Minneapolis) that are not offering bargains, but we also just found a nice dresser in an alley for free. It needs minimal refinishing.
I still think that the best deals here in Minnesota are going to be in the mid-sized towns (Rochester, St. Cloud, Duluth), but prices are creeping up.
gavin hastings says
New England, and esp Massachusetts is a great place to to buy vintage pieces. Not too much in the way of Modern…..but lots and lots of vintage stuff.
Why?
Because these people are NOT a part of a moblie society…..
Each week I go to Estate Sales where folks have accumulated belongings for a lifetime.. Mint items. Most of my neighbors have lived in their homes since 1957…..
I don’t think that this happens on such a scale in other parts of the country.
These industrial areas, like Pittsfield, Greenfield and Springfield- had a thick layer of well to do professionals. By the time the economic base had changed, they were at the point of retirement…and just stayed.
pam kueber says
I think you are absolutely right, Gavin. In cities with longtime employers, their employees were likely to have stayed put. And then, there was a large supplier base that lived there, too — the trickle down. These folks had great stuff, they were proud of it, they took care of it — and it’s only all coming out of houses now. In the New York Times, when I was quoted saying the best Re-Stores were in ‘rust belt cities’, it was for this reason. Yes: Folks stayed put.
gavin hastings says
Oh…and it’s a matter of what you want.
I have never had to fight with anyone over a piece of Kittinger furniture.
Few people are looking for the perfect mahogany Drum Table…..
Ima Pam says
I find central IL prices good in thrift shops, ridiculous in “antique” malls. Lots of ebay and other resellers are scouring the thrift stores, snapping up good stuff and junk alike. Shop early, shop often is my motto!
chris says
I’m originally from a town near Springfield! Where are you? (If it’s ok to ask that!) It’s always fun to see stuff from people in the land of corn!
🙂
Ima Pam says
LOL! Bloomington-corn is coming in from the fields these days, groups of farmers in nylon webbed aluminum lawn chairs wait their turn at the grain elevator.
chris says
Taylorville!
Natalie says
I live in Dallas and people LOVE mid-century modern & kitchy here. It’s hard to come by here and if you want to buy it at an estate sale, you better be first in line – litterally first in line. That also means they won’t bargain with you and you have to pay first day prices.
We have an “antique store” here in Dallas called Lula B’s and it’s fantastic to go and walk around. However, prices are crazy. I have gotten to the point where I know the who the dealers are at the sales AND a lot of the dealers are actually the estate sale people. That means they get the good stuff at the cheap price before any of us normal folk have a chance. Then they take it to their booth and resell it. Oh and Lula B’s is ALL midcentury modern, pyrex, and awesome.
I get most of my things on Craigslist, which is also slim pickens and it’s getting rarer and rarer to find something that someone doesn’t realize is awesome.
There are some flea markets around here that you can visit, but it is a hunt. But where is the fun without the hunt? 😉
Meridith says
Natalie….I am in Dallas too and I agree about Lula B’s. They have great stuff, but it is outrageously priced. There are some FAB MCM stores that only carry designer names (Sputnik Modern being one of them…not much under $1000 in there), but they are so nice and have been willing to teach me what to look for and how to shop. Some of the shops in the Design District are great, but you have to be willing to haggle and walk away if you want a fair deal.
Prices are still far higher than your typical yard sale prices, but also much cheaper and much better quality than today’s new furnishings.
Natalie says
Meridith – we should shop together! There are a few estate sale websites specific to Dallas. Do you have those? There is also an auction house in the design district that has beautiful furniture, but it usually sells for a couple hundred.
Dealers make me so mad sometimes, but I always have to remind myself that there is a deman for what they do and that’s how they make their living. And sometimes if you make friends with them they will keep a look out for specific items for you and you can purchase those from them for a reasonable price.
gsciencechick says
I agree, the stuff on eBay has gotten out of hand, was just talking about this with DH. Most of the stuff I watch doesn’t sell and ends up being relisted. I guess the seller figures they can wait for a buyer who will pay. Most of these are dealers vs. someone like me who might just want to sell one piece of something.
We got a vintage MCM sofa and credenza last weekend at an estate auction from a “time capsule” home (two pristine green and pink/burgundy bathrooms, too). Although we went to our personal maximum bids on both pieces, they still were probably less than what would’ve happened had the auction been in a more “trendy” neighborhood of our region. I’m sure we would have been outbid. There was another couple bidding on the same MCM pieces, but the ones we didn’t compete with them on, they got for a steal. Even though the auction was well attended, there were only a few people bidding on the MCM stuff. But again, had it been in a more trendy neighborhood, forget it.
When I went to look at the local HGTV Shaw Rugs dealer, the salesman said that our region tends to be more traditional. So, it varies quite a bit. I don’t see a lot of MCM on CL either. The best bets are probably going to be the estate sales. I’ve not had much luck at Re-Store, but it’s hard for me to get there.
MCM is Grand says
I live in Southern California – we have a large number of World War II-era retirees who are downsizing, and you are still able to find some reasonably-priced MCM items at yard sales…HOWEVER…the prices at places like Goodwill are going through the roof. I am wondering if they are taking advantange of the fact that due to the economy more folks are shopping there…of course in the hip sections of Los Angeles the mid/mod galleries are all sky high.
Happy hunting, everyone!
paula says
I am in central PA also and I still see mid century stuff at Goodwill, Salvation Army and yard sales at good prices. I bought an end table in the SA for $7.99 on Saturday. That wasn’t even a sale. It’s scratched up a bit but they don’t make sturdy furniture like that anymore – it’s rock solid with two drawers. I had to pass up a TV stand for $5.99 because I already had my trunk filled with a bookshelf from a yard sale (that wasn’t mid-century but it was only $10 and all wood).
I have noticed more Craigslist ads that seem to understand that there is a market for mid-century furniture, especially upholstered furniture that is in good shape.
Melanie says
People around here are still hauling mid century stuff to the dump, clueless that it is a big thing elsewhere in the country. Good for me, I have easy pickings, (got a great desk for $1 last week) but heartbreaking to see a lovely pink bathroom broken to smithereens. 🙁
Katie B says
I live in a cute little city called Wilmington, in eastern North Carolina. Unlike the rollicking MCM haven found in the Raleigh-Durham-Charlotte triangle, it is nearly impossible to find good, quality retro… well, anything.
If it does exist, it’s been painted over. The term “shabby chic” makes me want to scream! A little piece of me dies everytime I see Danish modern furniture painted and sanded to make it look “weathered”. I’ve even seen teak painted over. I hate it. I wish I could rescue everything!
I’m sure many coastal towns have the same problem that I’ve come across, but the one benefit is that the few people who do get it, share the same passion as I do. So, when pieces are found, they’re in impeccable, well-loved condition, and are at very fair prices. Sometimes luckily, you get the person who doesn’t know what they have, and just want to “get rid of it.” I recently purchased a gorgeous Heywood-Wakefield dresser for $50. But gosh, yeah, shabby chic… ugh. I hate every one of those awful little shops!
Katie Cappello says
Katie B, your post made me laugh…I live in Lodi, a small agricultural town south of Sacramento that’s also trying to become a new wine destination. The shabby chic is out of control here too! I also see more than enough of the pseudo-Tuscan look. Ugh.
The good news is that our town is older in population, and the garage/estate sale pickings are to die for. If it’s craftsman or shabby, it’s pricey here, but the mcm is just “Grandma’s old stuff” they’re dying to get rid of. My gain!
Annie B. says
Katie B.,
I feel your pain. Imagine the challenge of finding MCM in the Morehead City area of Eastern NC.
Here’s a tip: shop Jacksonville. Many of my MCM treasures have come from used furniture stores in the Camp Lejeune area.
miss jillian says
next time you’re in the triangle, try Cheshire Cat Antiques Gallery in cameron village in Raleigh. pricing depends on the consigner but they have great stuff.
suzzee says
Have you been in the Eclectic on Castl street? I have a booth in there with MCM stuff and the owner of the store is going in that direction with the consignment furniture as well. It’s the best you will get in Wilmington nc!
chris says
I live in a bedroom community of Atlanta. Prices really vary around here, depending on where you are looking. There are some wonderful shops in Atlanta proper — stuffed full of MCM goodies — one even specializes (not sure if it’s still open these days.) But it had all the designer high-end furniture, fixtures, etc. The genuine articles in pristine condition. That place was ridiculously high!!!!!! (But so fun to go to.) I really think you can still find some great deals — but you have to know which places to look. The big antique malls with multiple sellers, for example, are great places.
In general, if the treasures are already found by the dealers, well-organized and assembled into specialty shops, you pay more. If YOU are the one spending more time, searching out the goodies in a bunch of shops — you will pay less.
Probably pretty true everywhere?
Also, I think that smaller communities — especially those with a larger population of seniors — will have better prices. People like my parents, who started their married lives with MCM stuff, think it is just old junk.
More metropolitan areas with more yuppies (are we still using that term?) will be more expensive. Many of them love the stuff (it’s now trendy — gotta have it!) and have the money to spend.
sudha says
hi
i live in atlanta and would love ur inputs on finding reasonable stuff around the city…:)..mcm is kind of pricey and non existent in alpharetta
chris says
Unfortunately, Lakewood is gone!!!! Don’t you miss it? (For those who don’t know, it was a HUGE monthly antique market at a fairground established in 1916 — lots of beauteous exposition buildings, full of fantastic vendors!!!!! Gone now…. so sad.)
For me, finding MCM is just sort of a lucky thing. But I occasionally will run into things at the “junky” antiques malls. You know the ones I mean! Nothing really high end. Just the places where “Aunt Jean and her friend Wilma” have a little booth set up. The kind of place where some dealers have pure junk, others have little countrified crafty things — and then the rest of them actually have cool stuff!
Amanda says
I’m in Atlanta too and always on the hunt for MCM treasures. I’m not too sure where to find them in Alpharetta, but some of the antique shops in town have them. City Issue in Inman Park is nice. Their furniture is gorgeous and in excellent condition, but rather pricey. But I’ve been able to score some finds, at a decent price, at Kudzu Antiques in Decatur or Highland Row Antique.
I’d say that MCM stuff isn’t all that plentiful in Atlanta. And people that have it, know what it’s worth. But you can still find some deals on Craigslist and such.
Collin says
ATL has some great deals at estate sales – BUT want the greatest deals, head to the country, south of ATL… folks out there are still stuck in the traditional design and Rooms to Go mode – so they have no clue how to price this stuff. That’s my secret, oh no, I just told y’all. Oops.