Ward Dresser - Mid Century Modern

Read The History of Ward Furniture By Clicking Here

Chest of Drawers - Dresser made by Ward Furniture Manufacturing Company. Tapered legs, oversize handles and original wood handles

Mid Century Dresser by Ward Furniture Dated 1962

Alma Architectural Credenza - Mid Century Modern

Read the History of Alma Desk Company by Clicking Here



Alma Architectural Series Credenza - Modular - Mid Century Modern

Alma Desk Company Credenza Mid Century Modular

Alma Desks Co made modular pieces that could be joined in any fashion - the Credenza above is two small credenzas joined with a single laminate top. You could order open cupboards on one side and then drawers on the other - there were many arrangements - a few are shown below:

Alma Desk Company Credenza Mid Century Modular

Alma Desk Company Credenza Mid Century Modular

The History of the Alma Desk Company

Alma Architectural Credenza - Mid Century Modern

Alma Desk Company - Alma Architectural Series - Mid Century Modern

From personal experience I can tell you these credenzas are "stupid" heavy - quality made and really lovely, trying to move one just makes me angry. Not to take away from their sleek appearance, they are amazing mid century items that are high quality, but heavier than a steel tanker desk. They will last several lifetimes if you don't die trying to get it into place :

HISTORY 

One of the first companies to manufacture furniture in High Point was the A. A. Barker Company in 1881. The company was purchased by A. O. Redding in 1895 and named Alma after his deceased daughter. 

In 1904 brothers Charles, Daniel, and John Hayworth founded the Hayworth Roll and Panel Company. It was first veneer and plywood manufacturer in North Carolina.  

Charles Hayworth purchased Alma Furniture Company from the estate of Redding in 1926 and converted the company to the manufacture of desks so as not to compete with the customers of the Hayworth Roll and Panel company. 

Charles Hayworth died in 1929. The company was managed by his widow Myrtle Hayworth Barthmaier until 1957 when his son Charles Hayworth, Jr. assumed the presidency. 

She remained Chairman of the Board until her death. The company employed more than 1500 people at its peak. It ran into trouble after a failed leveraged buyout in 1991 and was liquidated in bankruptcy in 1993.

Hayworth Roll and Panel Company continues to operate a lumber yard. It is all that remains of the Alma Desk Company family of businesses. It was purchased from the Bankruptcy Court by the present owner. 

Alma Architectural Credenza - Mid Century Modern

Through the '50s and '60s, Alma produced the Wise Economy line of office furniture known for simple modern desks that were very heavy  - they were desk for administrator.

Alma desks were made of hardwood or interiors , and usually finished with walnut veneers or laminate tops to protect the furniture. Getting an Alma desk, was a sign of status - you were a boss or valued employee to be assigned a large imposing and almost un-moveable desk. They were so well constructed that there are many of them left today.

"Once cubicles and open workstations arrived, the huge wooden desk became a dinosaur. Today minimal and functional workstations, even standing stations, are in. The tanker desk is an anachronism.

But enough time has passed that a new generation is taking a second look at all the possibilities offered by a typical Alma Wise Economy desk. Most had, in addition to multiple drawers, two pull out writing trays plus a spring loaded typewriter tray. Pull-outs could hold up to 100 lbs. Some drawers were specially designed to hold office supplies and some drawers locked. The top, usually well over 5 feet long, could hold a project and then some.

Some listed were billed as mid-century pieces. That may be true date-wise, but do not be fooled; the style of most Alma desks is more Kremlin Modern than it is Eames."

https://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/sns-201504161500--tms--smartclctnda-a20150424-20150424-story.html

At one point in time Alma was the largest employer in High Point, An interesting tidbit is the company actually manufactured and trademarked the original office cubicle, however contrary to today's cubicles they were anywhere from 3- 10 times the size of the typical office cubicles , and were made of exotic mahogany, oak, and even redwood. These were featured prominently in several tv series including LA Law, and Allie McBeal .

https://www.myantiquefurniturecollection.com/alma-desk-co-alma-trend-collection-51722/Page3.html

History of Ward Furniture - Mid Century Modern Dressers Circa 1960s

 Ward Furniture CO

There are a plethora of mid century dressers, nightstands, tables, etc. out in the marker that are marked Ward Furniture. I never gave it much thought because Ward is not a well known name...I kind of thought they were distributed or made for Montgomery Ward or something like that. I was wrong.

 

Ward Furniture CO in Durham, NC is a private company  established in 1948 and incorporated in North Carolina. They are still in business today.

My favorite line that they produced for the mid century market are the angled / louvered drawer series that you can see below. American of Martinsville also has a high quality louvered series where the louvers are smaller.

Ward made lower quality and mid quality dressers (high quality compared to the cam and press board stuff we have today) for the time. They were massed produced in a price point that was affordable for most households which is why there are so many of them still hanging around.

Although I see a ton of these dressers, I still love them. They aren't rare but they are unique in style. They set a tone for any room which is what mid century style is all about.   

6 drawer Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Upright Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

9 Drawer Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Painted Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Upright Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern 9 drawer Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dressers Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dressers Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Angled / Louvered Drawers Mid Century Modern Dresser Circa 1960s - Ward Furniture

Alma Desk Company - Alma Architectural Series - Mid Century Moden

From personal experience I can tell you these credenzas are "stupid" heavy - quality made and really lovely, trying to move one just makes me angry. Not to take away from their sleek appearance, they are amazing mid century items that are high quality, but heavier than a steel tanker desk. They will last several lifetimes if you don't die trying to get it into place : )

HISTORY 

One of the first companies to manufacture furniture in High Point was the A. A. Barker Company in 1881. The company was purchased by A. O. Redding in 1895 and named Alma after his deceased daughter. In 1904 brothers Charles, Daniel, and John Hayworth founded the Hayworth Roll and Panel Company. It was first veneer and plywood manufacturer in North Carolina.  

Charles Hayworth purchased Alma Furniture Company from the estate of Redding in 1926 and converted the company to the manufacture of desks so as not to compete with the customers of the Hayworth Roll and Panel company. Charles Hayworth died in 1929. The company was managed by his widow Myrtle Hayworth Barthmaier until 1957 when his son Charles Hayworth, Jr. assumed the presidency. She remained Chairman of the Board until her death. The company employed more than 1500 people at its peak. It ran into trouble after a failed leveraged buyout in 1991 and was liquidated in bankruptcy in 1993.

Hayworth Roll and Panel Company continues to operate a lumber yard. It is all that remains of the Alma Desk Company family of businesses. It was purchased from the Bankruptcy Court by the present owner.

Alma Architectural Credenza - Mid Century Modern

Alma Architectural Credenza - Mid Century Modern

Alma Architectural Credenza - Mid Century Modern

Alma Architectural Credenza - Mid Century Modern

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