Mid-Century American of Martinsville Hotel Furniture

About once a week or so, someone will email me a question about mid-century furniture. And more often than not it's about pricing mid-century furniture. But it's not every day someone emails and says, "I am dealing with the estate that owns the Park Avenue Motel in Herrin, IL. This is a 20+ room complex built in the late 50s and the all the rooms were furnished with American of Martinsville pieces. Is there a market for American of Martinsville hotel furniture?" But that's exactly what Joe emailed.

I told him that there's definitely a market for mid-century American of Matrinsville furniture, but I wasn't sure what qualified something specifically as American of Matrinsville hotel furniture. So I asked for photos in hopes to help, and because I was really curious what the pieces looked like.

Boy, did Joe provide.

























If anyone out there is looking for anything like this, Joe is your man. He has 20+ rooms of it. You can email him at jviterisi950@comcast.net for details, etc.

And if anyone from Texas is thinking of making a trip up to Illinois with a big truck (I'm looking at you Mid2Mod and Uptown Modern), let me know because I'm calling dibs on one of the benches and that coffee table. And maybe a headboard. And maybe a desk or two. And maybe those lights. And maybe that mirror.

12 comments:

  1. Dana@Mid2ModJanuary 10, 2013 at 1:50 AM

    The very least someone could do for you is give you a hefty finder's fee of some choice pieces. I'm with you about those benches. I'd have to snag one of those for myself. I'll definiely tell my SIL about this, because some of the pieces are way cool!

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    1. Mad for Mid-CenturyJanuary 10, 2013 at 9:35 PM

      If you guys do go, seriously, let me know. A drive to Dallas is much easier than a drive to the midwest. I've got a wish list and I'm good for some gas money.

      Delete
  2. nickarmadilloJanuary 10, 2013 at 9:20 AM

    I live in the area and I'm definitely in for a few of the pieces. Emailed last night. Thanks for the tip!

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    1. nickarmadilloJanuary 10, 2013 at 9:22 AM

      Just noticed that the email, jviterisi950@comcast.net, bounced back. Is that email address correct?

      Delete
    2. Mad for Mid-CenturyJanuary 10, 2013 at 9:23 PM

      Hi Nick. I got a weird bounce back as well, but my message still got through. So I'm guessing yours did too. But just to be safe I sent Joe an email with your email address (the one on Mid-Century Midwest). Hopefully you'll hear from him. And if you end up going out there, tell him I say hi.

      Delete
  3. Diana in ChicagoJanuary 10, 2013 at 11:08 AM

    Where is Herrin, IL?!! (heads to google maps) I see it's near St. Louis...maybe Nick (Midcentury Midwest) and Mr. Modtomic will pick up some pieces! Those benches are way cool!

    I can't wait to see some pics of the cleaned up pieces!

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  4. bopfishJanuary 10, 2013 at 11:37 PM

    I just sent off an email! Uh-oh, we gonna have a parking lot fight for those benches...

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  5. UnknownApril 10, 2013 at 7:59 AM

    So,.. I am just trying to find info on a desk I have and found you guys! I have a desk that goes with the collection with the X on the front,.. It appears to also go with this guy selling for over $4000 http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/storage-case-pieces/commodes-chests-of-drawers/american-martinsville-x-front-tall-chest/id-f_612475/
    Personally I am just not a MCM person... anyone know any MCEast people that might be interested in it? I live in Charleston SC.... :-?

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  6. AnonymousMay 24, 2013 at 8:09 PM

    How much are you selling the giant neon Motel sign for?

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    1. Mad for Mid-CenturyMay 25, 2013 at 10:16 PM

      I wasn't actually the one selling it, just lucky enough to write about it, and I'm pretty sure it's been sold. Sorry.

      Delete
  7. Barry MonohonMay 30, 2013 at 9:57 PM

    Looking at the low profile of this furniture makes me reckon that there are many 'Mad Men" like me that have bad knees and backs. I worked for Younker Bros. advertising and display Dept. in 1968-1969 and would travel to branch stores for specific window displays and advertising promotions.After a day of being a smiling "mod" my crew and myself would retire to an inexpensive but well appointed hotel/motel that had this type of "industrial" Danish modern design.The lines were fantastic but to a weary 20yo. The overstuffed mattress in my apartment seemed much more comforting.Fast forward to 2003.i moved into a 1966 vintage MCM house and the Art Deco/Streamline moderne furniture didn't seem appropriate .I found my wife and myself searching resale,thrift shops,auctions for this very same type of furniture.We found an abundance it in the Midwest,brought it home,lovingly restored it,and it was just as uncomfortable as I remembered it to be.The next phase was the Austin Powers'esque "mod" furniture from the late 60's to early 80's.Plastic fantastic is much more comforting to my aging 'Mad Men" body.

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  8. The Hatton FamilyMarch 21, 2019 at 11:00 AM

    I actually just got one of these pieces and randomly saw it on this page. The only one place I have seen the specific piece I got. Email me at egp04@yahoo.com if you want to see a pic of it. Small world

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