Auctioneer Bill Nelson reflects on one of the latest trends to hit the auction house salerooms: mid century furniture auctions.
“Mid-century furniture is providing auction houses with a ‘new’ trend as much-loved brands from the 1950s and 1960s are attracting a keen following. Pieces from E-Gomme (G Plan), McIntosh, Ercol and Nathan are now mixed in with contemporary styles to create a highly desirable interior scheme.
Scandinavian mid-century furniture is commanding high prices, while kitchenettes and kitchenalia are also in vogue. Styles that feature bright colours and evocative and exiting design, such as West German ‘fat lava’ floor vases, are also fashionable once again.
This trend is not restricted to furniture and furnishings though, the music of the time is tremendously collectable, particularly rare pressings from 60s bands. Even toys from that era (such as Action Man, Sindy and Barbie) are hot lots and pre-Instamatic cameras, such as quality 35mm cameras, are beginning to attract buyers.
What goes around really does come around – I wish I’d kept my flares.”
1818 Auctioneers will be holding a mid century sale on August 13th, please contact Bill or Garth to express an interest in submitting lots for sale. Items of particular interest are furniture and furnishings, smalls including ceramics, treen, glassware, lamps etc, mid century advertising pieces and posters.
NB Due to legislation, chairs and sofas post 1950 – and up to 1988 – must have fire regs. If they are not available but the foam can be removed or the pieces can be re-foamed with fire retardant materials prior to the auction then we can sell them).