Few had their finger on the pulse of American furniture like importer and distributor Raymor. Founder Irving Richards first had his eyes opened to the world of furniture while attending the 1928 Salon d’Automne art and design fair in Paris. He joined Lightolier two years later and developed its business relationships, including with designer Russel Wright.
Wright and Richards met in 1935 and Russel Wright, Inc. was formed in 1936. Its American Modern ceramic tableware, produced under the name Wright Accessories in 1938, was a notably lucrative collaboration. Following the early success of American Modern, Richards obtained the majority share of Wright Accessories and changed its name to Raymor Mfg Division Inc. in 1941.
By 1952, the exclusivity over American Modern had ended (the line was initially produced by Wright Associates and later manufactured by Steubenville for two decades). To keep up with American markets, Raymor worked with prominent designers such as George Nelson, Arthur Umanoff, Ray and Charles Eames, and Hans J. Wegner.
The company’s imports expanded to Denmark, which contributed to the rise of Scandinavian modern designs in the American market. Throughout the 1950s, Richards established relationships with factories in Scandinavia, Italy and Germany, as well as with the influential tastemaker and importer Charles Stendig.
The furniture company Simmons bought Raymor in 1963 and changed its name to Raymor Richards, Morgenthau Inc. in 1969. During that time, Raymor’s Omnibus range of Scandinavian-style wall units became widely popular, along with Italian glass and pottery like Bitossi ceramics designed by Aldo Londi and Bagni ceramics by Alvino Bagni.
Shifting styles coupled with rising competition, and the departure of Richards from the company, ended Raymor. By the late 1970s, Raymor faced a wave of international factories able to produce similar products of lesser quality for a lower cost. Buyers were eager to frequently change their interior styles, limiting the need for high-end, durable furniture, which Raymor had been importing.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Raymor ceramics, lamps, decorative objects and more.
Ben Seibel Stirrup Bookends, Brass, Jenfred-Ware, Raymor, Signed
By Raymor, Ben Seibel, Jenfred Ware
Located in New York, NY
Ben Seibel Stirrup bookends, brass, Jenfred-Ware, Raymor, signed. A very clean pair with original bright warm brass finish with some minor age spotting. Impressed signatures: Jenfred...
Brass
Ben Seibel Signed Stirrup Bookends of Brass for Raymor for Jenfred-Ware
By Raymor, Jenfred Ware, Ben Seibel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A refined pair of brass-plated Mid-Century Modern bookends by Ben Seibel, showcasing his signature balance of sculptural form and functional design. Clean-lined and architectural Mod...
Brass
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Raymor Bookends, Ceramic, Blue, Green, Signed, 1960s
By Raymor, Aldo Londi
Located in New York, NY
Aldo Londi for Bitossi Raymor Bookends, Ceramic, Blue, Green, Signed, 1960s. Small scale stacked, rectangular form, bookends from Aldo Londi's Cordova decor series. Each bookend is g...
Ceramic
Vintage Boho Travertine Obelisk for Raymor
By Raymor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of sophistication to your decor with this Vintage Boho Travertine Obelisk by Raymor. Perfect for American-style interiors, this elegant piece features a sleek travertine ...
Travertine
Italian Travertine Marble Obelisk
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Italian travertine marble Obelisk, in the Modern style, circa 1970s, Italy. A great decorative object for a shelf, credenza, office, library, cocktail table, etc. Very go...
Travertine, Marble
Vintage Danish Teak Bookends 1960s, Set of 2
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak bookends 1960s, Set of 2 Pair of Danish Mid-Century Modern bookends in solid teak with metal base. Very good original condition. Ready to support.
Teak
1960s Design Line Metal Jack Jax Bookend California
By Bill Curry & Design Line
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents George Nelson Style Design Line Single Jack Bookend California Bill Curry Unmarked 6.25 h x 7.5 w x 7.5 d Unrestored vintage original preowned condition Review our ...
Metal
2 Bookends polished wood with inlays around 1960s
Located in Wien, Au
2 Bookends polished wood with inlays around 1960s Polished
Wood
Grouping of Eight Carl Auböck Brass Bookends
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Grouping of eight Carl Auböck brass bookends. Includes one pair each of Models #3651, #3652, #3653 & #3654. Designed in the 1950s, these i...
Brass
$350 / set
H 7.19 in W 5 in D 4.25 in
Mcm Jane & Gordon Martz Walnut & White Tile Bookends for Marshall Studios 1960s
By Marshall Studios, Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut bookends with vertical white inset tiles by Jane & Gordon Martz for Marshall Studios on brass bases. Very nice original condition.
Brass
Vintage Marble Obelisk
Located in Houston, TX
Beautiful mottled gray marble obelisk found in Belgium.
Marble
$1,200 / set
H 6.25 in W 4.13 in D 3.63 in
Style of Hermès - Gucci Equestrian Theme Horse Stirrups Leather & Suede Bookends
By Gucci
Located in St. Louis, MO
Fabulous pair of 1960s luxury equestrian theme bookends in blood red leather & tan suede with chrome horse stirrups and saddle stitching. Very much in the style of Hermès or Gucci or...
Chrome
Ben Seibel Stirrup Bookends, Copper, Jenfred-Ware Circa 1954
By Ben Seibel, Jenfred Ware
Located in Peoria, AZ
Ben Seibel Stirrup bookends, rare copper, Jenfred-Ware, Raymor. This is a magnificent pair of Ben Seibel bookends with a mirror like copper finish! For those whose bookshelves blend...
Copper
Mid-Century Modern Chrome I-Beam Bookends by Ben Seibel, 1970s
By Bill Curry & Design Line, Ben Seibel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cast I-Beam Bookends in the Style of Ben Seibel Bohemian / midcentury / Brutalist - circa 1970s "some minor discoloration and pitting"
Chrome
$850 / set
H 6.38 in W 5.5 in D 4 in
Vintage Brass Finish "Orb" Bookends by Ben Seibel for Jenfred Ware
By Jenfred Ware, Ben Seibel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sculptural bulbous tear drop-form with cutout bookends designed by Ben Seibel for Jenfred Ware (ca. 1950s, USA). Very good, vintage condition - brass plate shows light wear throughou...
Brass
Selenite Obelisk Pair
Located in New York, NY
Selenite Obelisk: Each measures: 2.25" x 2.25" x 12" H.
Stone
Sold
H 5.88 in W 4.63 in D 3.25 in
Ben Seibel Jenfred-Ware Bookends for Raymor -- Leather & Brass Mid-Century
By Raymor, Ben Seibel
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a very attractive pair of leather and brass Jenfred-Ware bookends designed by Ben Seibel for Raymor. In our opinion, this is the best design of all the bookends Seibel design...
Brass
Fratelli Mannelli Italian Travertine Bookends for Raymor
By Raymor
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of half moon bookends by Fratelli Mannelli for Raymor. Original tag is missing,
Travertine
Ben Seibel Triangle Brass Bookends for Jenfred Ware, c.1960
By Raymor, Jenfred Ware, Ben Seibel
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Ben Seibel Triangle Brass Bookends for Jenfred Ware, c.1960.
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 5.25 in W 3.5 in D 3.25 in
Italian Modernist "Sea Garden" Ceramic Bookends by Alvino Bagni for Raymor
By Raymor, Alvino Bagni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ceramic bookends with decorative iron rings from the "Sea Garden" line designed by Alvino Bagni for Raymor (ca. 1960, Italy). Attractive oceanic color combinations with incised geome...
Iron
Sold
H 5.25 in W 4.75 in D 3 in
1950s Ben Seibel Copper Ladder Bookends Raymor Modern Industrial Design
By Ben Seibel, Raymor
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Bookends Sculptural ladder bookends striking midcentury industrial modern 1950s Designed by Ben Seibel for Jenfred-ware Raymor Crafted in copper plated metal Retains original gre...
Metal, Copper
Sold
H 5.88 in W 5.88 in D 3.88 in
Vintage Abstract Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Bookends Collection for Raymor
By Raymor, Fratelli Mannelli
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage abstract fratelli mannelli travertine book ends collection for Raymor Set of 3. (6 Pieces) Dimensions are of the square bookend.
Travertine
Ben Seibel Bookends for Parke Techniques, Brass, Sunburst
By Raymor, Ben Seibel
Located in New York, NY
Ben Seibel brass plated bookends sunburst. Pair of small scale brass over white metal bookends, decorated with incised lines that create a sunburst effect. We've sold a pair previous...
Brass
Sold
H 5.5 in W 5.75 in D 3.5 in
Ben Seibel Jenfred-Ware for Raymor Bookends, Brass, Impressed, Textured, Signed
By Raymor, Ben Seibel, Jenfred Ware
Located in New York, NY
Ben Seibel Jenfred-ware for Raymor bookends, brass, impressed, textured, signed. Small scale brass over white metal wedge form bookends decorated with a pattern of impressed vertical...
Metal
Brass Ben Seibel Bookends
By Ben Seibel, Raymor, Jenfred Ware
Located in New York, NY
Modernist set of brass-plated bookends by Ben Seibel for Jenfred-Ware and sold by Raymor. some areas of wear or use, minor marks or nicks, please see pictures. These present nicely. ...
Metal, Brass
Ben Seibel Bookends, Brass Orb
By Raymor, Ben Seibel
Located in New York, NY
Ben Seibel bookends, brass orb. Rounded sculptural bookends with cutout. Original brass plated finish shows scratches, signs of wear, and crazing. Seibel, ...
Brass
Ben Seibel Bookends Brass Orb Jenfred-Ware Raymor Signed
By Raymor, Ben Seibel
Located in New York, NY
Ben Seibel brass Orb bookends Jenfred-Ware Raymor Signed. Rounded sculptural bookends with cutout. Original brass plated finish is warm and bright. Signed: one of the bookends retain...
Brass
Ben Seibel Stirrup Bookends, Brass, Jenfred-Ware, Raymor, Signed
By Raymor, Jenfred Ware, Ben Seibel
Located in New York, NY
Ben Seibel Stirrup bookends, brass, Jenfred-Ware, Raymor, signed. A very clean pair with original bright warm brass finish. Impressed signature: Jenfred-ware on back lower edge. Bott...
Brass