Rescue of an American of Martinsville Credenza

We were notified of this gem by way of an email with photos attached.  “Down sizing our home, heard that you collect this style”.  “Let me know if interested”.  “We are 35 miles north west of Boston”.  This was another beautiful object that needed to be rescued in order to shine again.  We were being offered a unique mid century modern credenza from American of Martinsville Furniture.  American of Martinsville is a well known company that has an extensive history and is still producing furniture today.  During the 1950s and through the 1960s as the company grew, so did its reputation for styling and design leadership. The proof of their design quality is exhibited by way of this handsome bleached mahogany credenza produced during the 1960’s.  It was one of the rarest pieces of their modern line.

Two days later we were riding North West into the summer sunshine to retrieve, this Mid Century Modern trophy of a piece.  The 4 lane interstate that we traveled became a two lane city highway.  The highway became a tree lined suburban street. The street becomes a driveway that ends at the open door of a garage.  There, just inside the entrance of the garage soaking up the fresh air and sunshine, after an absence of nearly 50 years, sits the Martinsville Credenza in all its glory.  We paid our respects to the guardians of this piece and gently loaded it into our vehicle as if it were a patient being loaded into an ambulance. 

After some minor servicing, the credenza sat handsomely in our showplace waiting for a new home.  It did not take long.  In less than a year it spoke to someone in Lower Manhattan.  So nine months later on a cold New England winter morning it was carefully loaded back into the vehicle, this time as a celebrity not a patient.  After an uneventful ride we safely delivered the credenza to the seventh floor and the new owner.   Once it was unwrapped we placed it against a wall where it immediately began to beam.  We were all quiet for a moment as we all took it in, then smiles and handshakes all around.  We grab the moving blankets and furniture dolly and head for the elevator and the ride home.  

We truly enjoy what we do.  We are serious about rescuing, restoring and finding new homes for mid century and Danish modern pieces.  Learn and see more at www.gre-stuff.com