American of Martinsville

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 American of Martinsville  

History and Information -- stolen from the internet & condensed  

The company American of Martinsville was founded in 1906 by Martinsville tobacco manufacturers, Ancil Witten and Charles Keesee, who wanted to branch out into furniture manufacturing. In these early years, they focused solely on bedroom furniture, expanding into dining room furniture in the 1920s.

The company was vast by the end of the 1950s, and proudly offered furniture representing almost every broad design era. As well as adding living room furniture to their repertoire, they began producing furniture for businesses such as roadside motels and hotels, which they continued to do for the rest of the century.

Later, the company specialized in producing furniture for the hotel and healthcare industries, and operates under the name American of Martinsville. Open a dresser drawer the next time you stay in a hotel and, chances are, you'll see an American of Martinsville logo.

In 2000, American of Martinsville was acquired by La-Z-Boy Incorporated.

Collectors are likely to collect pieces of American of Martinsville furniture manufactured for the home rather than those produced for motels and hotels, as the former would be more unique than the latter mass produced items.

They would generally choose a particular style of American of Martinsville furniture, as the array of designs is so eclectic.

Genuine American of Martinsville furniture will have their logo imprinted on the article.

Most Mid Century Enthusiasts prefer the Aluminum Pulls Series (my name for the line)

I know, I know, we all want these awesome (yes, awe inspiring) staggered aluminum pulled, inlaid wood series to be designed by George Nelson .... but they were not --- all internet rumor and mis-crediting are exactly that - in error.

Who cares who designed them, they are gorgeous and well built - quality is quality no matter the designer name.

Buffets to wall units, chests to dressers and nightstands - the array of styles seem limitless for the Aluminum Pull Series -- every time I think I have seen them all, a new one pops up. 

They are all marked with the logo, all have staggered pulls and inlaid wood - walnut and teak ? some have claimed rosewood but I call BS on that... its a fabulous series of furniture and based on my years in the Mid Mod business, its by far the most collectable and recognizable in the A of M mid century period.

American of Martinsville Inlaid Wood & Staggered Aluminum Pulls Danish Modern Style Chest

American of Martinsville Inlaid Wood & Staggered Aluminum Pulls Danish Modern Style Low Dresser

American of Martinsville Inlaid Wood & Staggered Aluminum Pulls Danish Modern Style Upright Chest of Drawers

American of Martinsville Inlaid Wood & Staggered Aluminum Pulls Danish Modern Style 6 Drawer Low Dresser

American of Martinsville Inlaid Wood & Staggered Aluminum Pulls Danish Modern Style China Cabinet Hutch / Wall Unit

American of Martinsville Inlaid Wood & Staggered Aluminum Pulls Danish Modern Style Credenza / Buffet / Sideboard

Basic-Witz Furniture - Mid Century Modern - Brass Pull Series

 BASIC-WITZ FURNITURE IN­DUSTRIES, Inc., Waynesboro, Va.. began in 1889 and manufactured through the sixties, possibly into the 1970s - its unclear if they closed or were bought out -- many similar furniture manufacturers were purchased by big companies like Basset or United.... always looking for more info so if you have any, send it along....

THE  BOOKMATCHED Series (named by me - series name is unknown)
Brass draw pulls - Walnut veneer -bookmatched- over ash wood, frame legs (don't unscrew) - 6 drawer pictured below with three symmetrical lines dividing the front into 4 even sections. Using the Danish Modern simplicity, in a true American made piece.

Basic-Witz Furniture - Mid Century Modern - Brass Pull Series Low 6 Drawer Dresser

The Buffet has cane cabinets and bookmatched center drawers -  refinished the walnut grain shows through. The furniture was given a thick "stain" almost a wash that shows the grain but overtime it is more like a "champagne" finish over the wood.

Basic-Witz Furniture - Mid Century Modern - Brass Pull Series Credenza / Buffet

 Another Basic-Witz 6 Drawer Mid Century Dresser - All wood tops

Basic-Witz Furniture - Mid Century Modern - Brass Pull Series Low 6 Drawer Dresser

 Not as common - the Basic-Witz upright has the same detailing and bookmatched wood but the brass pulls are only on the lower portion

Basic-Witz Furniture - Mid Century Modern - Brass Pull Series Upright Dresser

What I like about Basic-Witz is that they are solidly built with quality materials. The reason so many are still around is because they are not easily destroyed.

Mid Century Buffet / Credenza / Sideboard by Stanley Fine Furniture

 Stanley Buffet with Rosewood inlays - Square legs with metal end caps.

Stanley made several variations of buffets and credenzas in the 1960s and early 1970s - most are characterized by square solid legs and a brace. Known for their silver hardware pulls and round discs - the pulls are as collectable as the furniture. Stanley Furniture is still producing furniture.
 

Stanley Mid Century Walnut Wall Unit / Credenza with Rosewood Inlays

Classic Stanley Buffet with Wood Handles - Danish Modern Style - Legs are slightly different than the standard square blocks

Stanley Fine Furniture Buffet / Credenza  with Wood Handles - Danish Modern Style

Stanley Fine Furniture China Cabinet / Credenza  with Wood Handles - Danish Modern Style

These two Stanley Buffets are the most commonly found which means they were probably produced in volume - laminate tops are common - half moon pulls make them instantly recognizable

United Furniture - Diamond & Inverted Diamond Series Mid Century Dressers

Mid Century Modern Walnut 3 Dimensional Diamond 9 Drawer United Dresser Low Dresser & Upright   

A favorite example of American furniture design based on the simplicity of the Danish Modern style. Solid construction,walnut wood veneer over solid wood. The drawers all feature .5″ thick wood facades with dovetail joinery and metal glides

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Design details of rounded, thick trim along the dresser perimeter and "floating" dresser over leg base. 

 A simpler version by United Furniture with angle backed sides creating the diamond

Inverted Diamonds on the fronts of the dressers below - All by United Furniture