We’re very excited to see these fantastic vintage radios for sale on lushpad. We’ve noticed vintage radios seem to be a great collector’s niche for people who enjoy the design of the mid-century, but don’t have the space or budget for bigger furniture pieces. I love especially love the design correlation between transportation and radios during that era.

When we were at the LA Modernism Show a few weeks ago we saw some beautiful vintage Bakelite radios. Bakelite plastic was a wonder-material that allowed designers be more creative with their designs and produce them at a significantly lower cost than before. In the 1930s, a version of Bakelite called Catalin was created that was clear rather than opaque and could be dyed vibrant colours and even marbled to produce more attractive radios than the previous brown and black standard versions.

Bakelite was not a durable material. It tended to shrink with age, and cracked easily, so the radios that are still around are highly collectible. The vintage radios for sale on our site currently range in price from $80 – $350.

Peter Loughrey is the founder of LA Modern Auctions, and an expert in the field of 20th century design. He’s written numerous articles, and has been voted one of the 50 most powerful dealers in Art & Auctions “Power Issue” for both 2000 and 2001.

Advice on Starting a Collection

People often feel they should start a collection based on a “theme” and that’s a mistake. Don’t narrow your collection down right away. If you like ceramics, start collecting a wide-range of pieces you like. Then after 20 or 30 pieces you might see a theme develop without you even trying. Learn as much as possible about the pieces you’re collecting. Read books, do research on the internet. When you have enough knowledge about what you collecting and what it’s worth, you can go to auctions, swap meets, thrift stores and dealers. Don’t be a snob about where you go to investigate. You have to go everywhere and keep your eyes open at all times for deals.

When I started out in the 1980s I went into a store in New York called Fifty/50. It had the reputation of being one of the most expensive retail stores that you could possibly find. I went in out of curiousity – I wanted to see this great environment full of wonderful things by famous designers. As I looked around I saw something with a price on it, and thought, I know someone who wants this and I think I can sell it for more. So I used the store’s phone and called my friend in Los Angeles. I described the set of chairs and asked if he would pay $2,000 for it. He said yes, so I bought them.

The lesson learned was that you can find a deal anywhere. Opportunities are everywhere. You just have to keep your eyes open – even in the most expensive shops. The reason is that no one can be an expert on everything, and though they may know a piece is good quality, they may not be fully aware of its importance in a specific collector’s circle.

What Started your Interest in Mid-Century Modern?

I grew up in a family of antique collectors. Growing up I thought antiques were expensive because of the craftsmanship and work that went into decorating it.

On a trip to Los Angeles I was brought to a shop that sold mid-century modern and I was blown away that there was no carving or elements of ornamentation – some were even made by machine – yet they were still valuable. It was that revelation that piqued my interest.

Value assessed on a piece by market standards and not simply because something is worked on by a master craftsman for a month changed my way of thinking. I became really enticed by these pieces devoid of ornamentation but with a higher level of thinking. It was more interesting to me to see a piece pared down to its basic essentials, shape or color instead of the idea of more is more. That was my introduction to modern design.

“Less is More” is a phrase coined by Mies van der Rohe but sometimes even that can be brought to its illogical end. Less is minimal design that has chairs, furniture and ceramics that are so minimal as to have no interest at all. I like pieces with a reductionist value – taking away the decoration, ornamentation and structure that isn’t needed, but not so far as to the point that you’ve got something that isn’t interesting any more. I like the fine line between over ornamentation and under ornamentation.

Favorite Piece

I’ve had many, many favorite pieces. It’s a constantly changing thing. Right now my favourite work is by Gio Ponti. He was a really great renaissance man of Italy in the 20th century. He work spanned from the 1920s until his death in 1979. During this period of production he went through several distinct styles. His middle period when he was going over the top and adding ornamentation back on to his pieces when everyone else in the world was in a reductionist phase and taking it away.

Peter’s Top 10 list of  most popular collectible pieces from the 1950s.

Charles & Ray Eames 670/671 “lounge and ottoman”:  $4,000
Hans J. Wegner “Papa” chair and ottoman  $8,500
Carlo Mollino café chair $40,000
Gio Ponti “Parco de Principi” arm lounge chair $15,000
Charles & Ray Eames molded fiberglass chair $500
Dan Johnson “Gazelle” $10,000
George Nakashima “Conoid” chair $7,500
Jean Prouve “Anthony” chair $20,000
Arne Jacobsen “Egg” chair $8,000
George Nelson “Marshmallow” sofa $25,000

Is there hidden treasure in your attic? Still have the furniture your parent’s gave you from the basement rec room? Many pieces of valuable furniture may look inconspicuous so here’s our top 10 list of chairs that could bring you a small fortune.

1. Jean Prouvé, The Standard Chair, Model No. 305

Worth: $4,800

We’ve all seen these chairs in schools and government institutions, so it wouldn’t be surprising if there was one in your garage or workroom. The Standard Chair, Model No. 305 was designed by French designer and architect Jean Prouvé and is made from beech plywood and bent enameled steel. Most of Prouvé’s chairs have the characteristic back leg that goes from narrow to wide to narrow, so keep your eyes open for any of his variations on this chair design because they’re all highly collectible.

2. Poul Kjaerholm, PK 11 chairs

Worth: $93,600

Feel like you’ve seen these chairs before? You probably have. Made from matte chrome-plated steel, oak and leather, a set of these PK 11 chairs have sold for $93,600. Designed by Danish carpenter and designer Poul Kjaerholm manufacturer E. Kold Christensen. Kjaerholm had a particular interest in different construction materials; especially steel which he considered a natural material with the same artistic fineness as other natural materials.

3. Hans Wegner, Folding Chair, Model 512

Worth: $22,800

We’ve seen these Hans Wegner folding chairs a few times on lushpad and kick ourselves for not grabbing them when we had the chance! The slatted version is made of teak and brass and can go for up to $9,000 for a pair, and the rope version (Model 512 manufactured by Johannes Hansen) made of oak, cane and brass has sold for a record $22,800 a pair.

Hans Wegner items for sale on Lushpad.

4. Finn Juhl, Delegate’s Armchair

Worth: $6,000

Remember the days of waiting in the Principals office? You probably didn’t appreciate them then, but now these armchairs designed by Finn Juhl and manufactured by Niels Vodder in Denmark can go for up to $6,000 a pair. Bet you wish you’d paid more attention in school now.

Finn Juhl items for sale on Lushpad.

5. Gio Ponti, Cassina Lounge Chairs

Worth: $22,000

These chairs look like the came right out of your grandparent’s house (minus the lovely crochet headrest doilies your Great Aunt Doris used to make). These magnificent Cassina lounge chairs designed by Gio Ponti in prime condition made from imitation leather(Skai) and ash can go for up to $22,000 a pair.

Gio Ponti items for sale on Lushpad.

6. Andre Arbus, dining chairs

Worth: $16,800

At one time any upper middle-class family would have had a set of upholstered dining chairs like this. This set of dining chairs designed by Andre Arbus and made of ebony, brass and upholstery recently sold at auction for $16,800.

7. Paul Laszlo lounge chairs for Brown Saltman

Worth: $7,200

Paul Laszlo was the “Designer to the Stars” so a lot of his custom work can be found in and around Los Angeles. He did however, also work with manufacturers so the little people like us could also have a bit of glam in our homes. A pair of Brown Saltman upholstered lounge chairs designed by Paul Laszlo can sell for upwards of $7,200.

8. Hans Wegner, Valet Chair

Worth: $20,000

We included this chair in the list because it’s unusual enough to have been kept around in your family for a few decades, and everyone needs somewhere to hang their clothes, right? The valet chair is designed by Hans Wegner and manufactured by Johannes Hansen and is made of teak. These chairs have been know to go for upwards of $20,000.

Hans Wegner items for sale on Lushpad.

9. Niels Møller, dining chairs

Worth: $8,400

There’s always sets of these chairs hidden in the back of vintage shops and posted on our site. It’s just a matter of being savvy enough to spot them! A set of these chairs with dining table can go for as much as $8,400 and on occasion a single armchair has sold for $1,320.

10. Mies van der Rohe, MR20 chair by Thonet

Worth: $19,890

The MR20 chairs designed by Mies van der Rohe for Thonet have been copied so many times it might be hard to spot the real thing, but if you have an original you could be in for a $19,890 pay-day (the price realized for woven version shown above).

Mies van der Rohe items for sale on Lushpad.

If you have some furniture you think might be worth a bundle, contact us with some photos, details of any labels or maker’s marks and we’ll help you identify your piece. Who knows, you might be sitting on a fortune! All photos and pricing courtesy of Wright 20th Century.

During the San Francisco 20th Century Art and Design show, we spoke with a few modern design experts about starting and maintaining a collection. Terry Buelna from Montecito Modern in Montecito, California tells us how his interest in collecting mid-century modern started.

“I spent all my money on buying a house and had no money for furniture so I was looking at thrift shops. My first purchase was at the Salvation Army in Richmond, Virginia. I spotted a piece that just looked like quality – the wood and materials were good. I knew instinctively that it was special, so I bought it and had it shipped to California for $100.”

“I had the couch and chairs for a couple of years before a dealer friend of mine offered me $1,500 for them.” He says, “4 or 5 months later I was flipping through Architectural Digest and spotted my couch and chairs. The dealer had sold them on to a Hollywood producer for $6,500. That’s when I realized I could have fun buying things I liked and make money too.”

“My advice to anyone starting out is to collect what you like. Don’t limit yourself to a particular genre, or theme. Follow your heart and collect the things that your eye is drawn to.” Terry also says, “Don’t necessarily believe what you’re told about a piece. Do your research.”

Although a lot of original pieces aren’t marked, very important to check for authenticity through manufacturers marks, joins and construction, and aging, wear-and-tear of materials. These are all tell-take signs that you’re looking at the real deal.

Jean Prouvé chairs available at Monticeto Modern.

One of Terry’s favourite pieces are a set of 4 Jean Prouvé chairs he has at his store. Jean Prouvé was a designer and architect from France, and was very prolific throughout the 30s and 40s. He has an incredible following and his pieces have skyrocketed in value.

“The chairs have a very light construction.” He says, “They’re made from bent plywood which creates a very inexpensive chair to manufacture. Thousands of these chair were made at the time for institutions like schools and hospitals, but due to that nature, there aren’t many of them around today and the prices have become quite high.”

The distinctive feature of the Prouvé chair is the narrow to wide rear leg and the metal fastenings on the seat and back. The particular chairs that Terry has at Monticeto modern are unusual in the fact that they have brass fastenings and a longer seat back.