Widdicomb Mid Century Modern Furniture Brand

The Widdicomb Furniture Company was founded in 1858 by George Widdicomb in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Initially a cabinet shop, the company expanded and included George's four sons, becoming George Widdicomb & Sons. The company dissolved in 1863 due to the sons' enlistment in the American Civil War​1​. After the war, the sons opened a small furniture shop in 1864, which grew into the Widdicomb Bros. & Richards after forming a partnership with T.F. Richards in 1869. The company, known for its spindle bed frames, had around 150 employees by 1871. In 1883, William Widdicomb, serving as President, retired​1​. By 1891, Widdicomb was shipping products throughout the U.S. They produced various bedroom furniture made of oak, ash, birch, and maple. Their styles evolved over time, incorporating elements of American Empire style, French design, and the Colonial Revival Movement. Traditional designs were phased out in 1938, making room for more modern designs​1​. In 1915, the company was sold to Joseph Griswold Sr. and Godfrey von Platen. It later merged with Mueller Furniture Corporation in 1950, becoming Widdicomb-Mueller Corporation, before separating from Mueller in 1960. T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings and George Nakashima were notable designers for the company, with Robsjohn-Gibbings contributing modern designs and Nakashima creating the "Origin Group" of pieces​1​. Modern styles were influenced by Scandinavian design, with Robsjohn-Gibbings' designs in the 1940s and 50s, and Nakashima's "Origin Collection," which was inspired by Japanese and Shaker furniture. The collection included bedroom and dining room pieces​1​. Widdicomb went out of business in 2002, and the design and manufacturing rights for the John Widdicomb Company were acquired by Stickley in the same year. Works by the company are in the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum collection, and the company's archive is held in the Grand Rapids Public Library​