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.)
Elaine says
Charley Harper prints, love them! I have several in my time capsule house. I hoarded them from the early 90s when I got them from the US Govt printing office. You can still get some of them from the the printing office, and different sizes are available from CharleyHarperPrints.com.
hannah says
Here in southern Maine, I consider the pickin’s to be mighty slim. There’s a flea market up the road from us that we go to twice a month or more, and I have found some good deals there (Homer Costello MCM painting for $40 that I posted on your FB page) – but the turnover is not great, and not always a lot to choose from.
There are two big dealers north of us by 4+ hours and their prices are very spendy, and I can’t touch those items.
I ‘window’ shop all the time on eBay and etsy, favoriting things or ‘watching’ them. Some things I just shake my head at. I mean, there does NOT seem to be a shortage of MCM lamps – but the prices would indicate otherwise! Some sellers refuse to budge on their prices (I don’t ask, just note it’s been on the site at the same price for nearly a year or more). What’s the point in that? That is NOT sharing the MCM joy!!! $400+ for two (or even just one) MCM lamp, that’s ceramic, with NO shade that COULD be packed poorly and break in transit? I don’t take too many of those sorts of risks.
I’m headed (hopefully) 40 minutes north Saturday to Cornish, there’s supposed to be a great 3 story vintage shop there. Im hoping to run across something I just MUST come home with.
Happy shopping everyone, no matter where you end up finding your little piece of MCM joy. 🙂
Cody says
Hey Hannah,
I hope you find a great deal in Cornish. I know the exact place you’re talking about as my girlfriends parents live close. It’s not bad but you may be disappointed in what you find. Last time I went there it was still colonial contemporary pieces. The place across the street with junk outside is a good place to get some industrial pieces though.
Tim says
Austin, TX was a small town and just doesn’t have very many people who lived through the time period, especially people who were affluent then. So there’s a massive amount of demand and no real supply. Prices can be ridiculous. But there are also a lot of sellers who think rather highly of what they’re selling. It can be hard to tell what people are actually paying.
jmb says
Austin has quite a few vintage resale shops, but most of them are overpriced. Modern Salvage sometimes has bargains, but it’s a crap shoot. Since the hipsters and californians started showing up, the prices have gone off the charts. Most estate sales and garage sales I go to have lots of 70’s or newer garbage. It’s pretty disappointing.
Larry says
Here in Indiana it’s not really all that easy to find. But I have a rule for myself. I will not pay a ridiculous price for it. I know I’ll get a lot of BOO’s and hisses but I don’t care if it’s Heywood-Wakefield or Sears and Roebuck, the reality is, it’s all just old stuff and only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Yes some is prettier, yes some designers were influential, yes some have better quality, but it’s…just….old…..stuff! The same with old cars, old Corvette or old Chevette…they’re just old cars..that’s it. I know I know, bite my tongue! Don’t get me wrong, I love old stuff better than new stuff and the quality of old stuff probably is better than new stuff, that’s why I love this site, but I stick to my rule and go home empty handed a lot of the time.
Katherine Chismar says
I live in a suburb of Columbus Ohio called Upper Arlington. Last month we purchased a 1958 colonial brick ranch here from an estate that had a lot of original fixtures and cabinetry in it. I want to try and keep it true to the era, but most people buying into this area don’t.
My entire neighborhood was built in the late 50’s. So many 50’s and 60’s ranch homes here still have original or second owners here. My neighbor is 97 years old and not a lot of remodeling has gone on inside her home. Many of the estate sales have mid century furnishings coming out of them now. Everyone wants to remodel their ranch or split level to be more modern, so a few stores have popped up that are grabbing up the surplus furnishings and reselling them. The prices are pretty decent even for resale and the furniture is in excellent shape. Sometimes you can see stuff just laying out on the curb on trash day. We lack original lighting and decor items here, but have quite a bit of furniture to choose from. I prefer craigslist to ebay now, because I don’t have to pay shipping. Sometimes the shipping fees just kill a good deal.
My home has original bathrooms from American Standard in yellow and green with original slanted birch cabinetry. I restored the yellow one by reattaching and regrouting all the tile. I still need light fixtures for it though. Currently they are fluorescent lights recessed in the ceiling over the vanity. Probably the worst lighting any bathroom has ever had! I just can’t afford anything on ebay and get tired of looking, so I’m trolling your site, restore, and craigslist to see if I can get something that will work. It may take years to find them, but I’ve got time, just not tons of money!
Jodi says
We just purchased a 1950s ranch in Clintonville: we should have a mid century coffee klatch! Also, if you don’t already know about her:
http://salebyholly.com/Upcoming_Events.php
She has two sales in UA this weekend that look chock full of great stuff.
Katherine Chismar says
I will definitely check her out! We just moved to this area a month ago from the far east side, so that is great info for me! Thanks!
Hello Jodi says
We just purchased a 1950s ranch in Clintonville: we should have a mid century coffee klatch! Also, if you don’t already know about Sales by Holly, you should check her out. She has two sales in UA this weekend that look chock full of great stuff.
Ann-Marie Meyers says
Southwestern Wisconsin has very little to speak of. We have one good estate sale company, and as Natalie from Dallas said, you have to be first in line to get anything. I tried one of their sales in my neighborhood on the last day (!), and the line was still a block long.
People also do not understand the MCM thing and think I am nuts, so I bet a lot of Madison and Minneapolis/St Paul dealers grab stuff up cheap and sell dear.
Your best bet here is to keep an eye on auction sites around the state. I hate to share a treasure, but myfavoriteauctioneers.com in Sparta has done very well by me. I picked up some beautiful Conant Ball American Modern pieces for under $10 a piece because no one else was willing to risk seeing what was under 60 years of grime. Wicker circle chairs for $30, two gorgeous Hollywood regency highback lounge chairs, awaiting either cleaning or reupholstering, and a Holllywood regency button tufted wingback (bergere?) chair I am currently reupholstering.
For the Dallas area people check dddauction.com. They get fabulous pieces from the UK, and sometimes you can get a tremendous bargain. The specialize in credenzas, buffets, room dividers, etc, but have all kinds of other things, even real antiques.
They have a mid century auction coming up on Oct. 8th. I would go if I could!
Meridith says
Good think October 8th is free for me! Thanks for the tip.
Natalie says
Totally the auction place I just commented about. They have such pretty stuff!
Meridith says
Natalie and Anne-Marie…
Thanks so much for the heads up about the auction site! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I couldn’t go, but they walked me through their proxy bidding system and I was able to bid and WIN several items from home while my son napped. I got a bent wood arm chair, a groovy chartruse vanity stool, and a set of 3 smoked glass and teak nesting tables that match EXACTLY with the smoked glass credenza that we bought at Mid to Mod a few weeks ago. My mid/mod yet cozy living room is shaping up nicely, especially once I get my Kruehler platform rocker recovered (that I scored at a yard sale last weekend for $5.00)
Can’t wait until the retro-model is finished and I can live in all my mid-mod splendor!
Thanks for the tips, ladies. You deserve a cup of coffee (my treat) after a morning of estate sale hunting. I would love to go together.
Barbara says
I live in Northern CA (not the SF area) and not only is it hard to find stuff, but as you said, the prices are becoming ridiculous. I have a Diet Rite Cola clock that my brother bought for me in a thrift store in 1992 for $69.00. It’s younger version is listed right now on ebay for over $600. Dream on! Tops, it’s worth maybe $250.
Mitzi says
Prices on eBay will continue to go up because eBay’s fees continue to go up. The latest – final value fees on shipping – cash grab has forced a lot of stores to raise prices – even stores that traditionally offered things at low/reasonable prices. 🙁
Matt says
Here in Indianapolis I would say prices are overall decent. Deals at thirft stores lately haven’t been that plentiful in my opinion. Seems to be a dry spell. Prices at antique Malls/Stores aren’t terrible when compared to ebay. I too have noticed more craigslist ads using “mid century” in the keywords. A lot more than a year ago. I usually find more at thirft stores in the winter. Assuming its because people are having garage/estate sales in the summer but in the winter they just donate to goodwill/salvation army.
Its funny this topic came up, my wife and I were JUST having this same discussion a couple of months ago. I noticed prices going up on ebay and we decided to play the market a little and sell some of the vintage stuff we didn’t really need. Since styles always come in, go out and then come in again I figured we could always sell high now and buy a little lower later if we truly wanted something back. Maybe….we’ll see. It’s not like we have sold anything that we really couldn’t live without. We’ve been using the profit we make for projects in our 1959 ranch (our dining room table and chairs paid for the living room/dining room floors to be refinished!).
Perhaps once Mad Men goes off the air and people move on to the next “thing” we’ll see prices come down a bit. Until then I’m happy to keep hunting!
chris says
Even if Mad Men goes away, now there is that new series Pan Am! Isn’t that from the 60s?
(I have to thank Mad Men for bringing in some fun clothes that fit people with a waist and hips!)
🙂
Wendy M. says
Interesting discussion! I’m in Corvallis, Oregon (about 90 min southwest of Portland) and I’m surprised at how little mid-century decor/furniture is available here. My first thought is it’s all going to Portland, an obvious mecca for mid-century. My second thought is maybe many people here are hanging onto their items…a good percentage of homes here haven’t been extensively remodeled, so I guess I hope that there are more people here with the good sense not dump everything every five years for what is new. 🙂