04-033.

04-033. Unknown <strike>515 Star Dust</strike> Suite 515 kneehole desk

Found on June 26, 2004 in Maplewood, MN.

Unknown

515 Star Dust Suite 515 kneehole desk
Unknown manufacturer National Mount Airy, distributed by Sears The Forest Furniture Company
USA, c. 1950
Birch Maple
Manufacturer's marks

For months now I've been searching out a desk for my living room. My apartment is small, however, and most contemporary pieces of furniture are far too large to work in my space. For that reason, among other aesthetic considerations, I made the decision to look for a Modernmates desk by Conant Ball. I twice came close to making an online purchase, but my instinct (and pocket book) told me to wait.

I'm glad I did. Attributed to Russel Wright by Ann Kerr in the third edition of her Collector's Encyclopedia of Russel Wright, the 515 Star Dust Suite 515 line has many attributes in common with Wright's American Modern designs. I personally have doubts about the Wright attribution, but purchased the desk anyway since it matches the bedroom set I picked up earlier this spring. It also didn't hurt that instead of paying the $500.00 I originally intended for that online sale, it cost a mere $1.99. Some glue and a bit of elbow grease will make this piece very presentable and functional for my everyday living.

Ethan Rollerson commented: As a collector of anything Russel Wright, I can assure that the kneehole desk was designed by Wright, manufactured by Conant Ball and sold at Sears for $28.75. I have this desk in my collection.

  • 8.23.07

Scott commented: Thank you for your input, Ethan. In the years since I found this desk I've studied Wright's furniture designs extensively. And as such, I have to strongly disagree with your statements. The Star Dust line of furniture was absolutely not produced by Conant Ball or designed by Russel Wright. This is a popular misconception, since the Star Dust line bears a close resemblance to Russel Wright's American Modern line of furniture, which was made by Conant Ball. Research materials uncovered in mid-2002 have shown that Star Dust was produced out of a company in North Carolina called National Mount Airy. Russel Wright was never documented as working for such a company. Since we do not have documentation stating the name of the Star Dust designer, there could possibly be an ever-so-slight possibility that wright may have been involved. This I hightly doubt. If you have documentation contradictory to what I have found, I'd love to see it.

Michelle and Darren commented: My father and uncle grew up with a tall dresser that looks just like this, and my husband uses it now. Funny thing is that my husband and I just found an exact tall dresser, a long dresser, plus a night stand on a local craigslist in Florida. Your desk is very cool! Have you seen anything else like this? We'd love more information since we could never figure out what 515 Star Dust meant or where it was from. The people we bought it from got it from an estate sale and said possibly Sears...
Thank you,
Michelle
July 20,2008

  • 7.20.08

Scott commented: There were lots of pieces available: a couple types of desks, several sizes of dressers and bedframes, nightstands, mirrors, etc. I've subsequently sold the desk in question, but we still use our Star Dust bedroom set. It was in fact distributed through Sears, so the people you purchased yours from were correct. Thanks!

kristina commented: I have this piece and others, this pic is actually a vaniety, There is a mirror that attaches to the back. I also have the tall boy dresser and two night stands. We used to have the bench that went with the vaniety, but it was a bit used when we aquired it. the mirror that is attached to the vaniety is stamped Carolina 1946 on the back.

  • 8.29.08

Mandy Bryant commented: I have the following Satrdust pieces: a bookcase headboard bed, a double dresser, tall chest, and two night stands. My parents bought it in the fifties from Sears. I use the set today. I would be interested in adding more pieces if anyone has any for sale. Thanks!

  • 1.7.09

JS commented: Hello All, I have a tall, 5-drawer dresser in this set; the desk/vanity shown in the image above; the large mirror that attaches to the desk/vanity; and the matching vanity stool in what I believe is its original upholstery. On the back of the actual mirror glass is stamped: "Carolina Aug 1944".

I would be very interested to know just exactly which Sears catalogs featured this set. It seems that people have been saying this set was made and marketed in the 1950's, but the stamp on the back of my mirror glass clearly indicates that the '515 Star Dust' set was made prior to the 1950's. Very interesting stuff.

  • 1.8.09

Mandy Bryant commented: My parent's bought the set I have after buying a new home in 1951. They bought all new furniture at the Sears store in Miami, FL, not from a catalog. You don't happen to be interested in selling your pieces, are you?

Mandy

  • 1.8.09

JS commented: I, myself, am not considering selling my pieces at this time. I really really like the design, regardless of who designed it or where it came from. I wonder why the mirror glass has such early dates if the furniture itself was not marketed and sold until the 50's? Tis a mystery.

  • 1.8.09

Scott commented: I'd guess it was introduced in the mid 40's, JS, and continued to be sold and marketed through the mid- or late-50's. A little research should be able to clear this up, as long as resources can be found. Your suggestion of checking Sears catalogs is I think right on mark as for where one might consider starting.

JS commented: Well, thanks to a university library very close to where I live, I have just finished browsing through every issued Sears catalog (on microfilm) from Fall 1929 - Fall 1960. This was a two-day project. Unfortunately, I did not see the "Star Dust" set featured in any of the catalogs. *sigh* I tried.

Does anyone else have any ideas for researching this set?

Scott said:

"Research materials uncovered in mid-2002 have shown that Star Dust was produced out of a company in North Carolina called National Mount Airy."

If I may ask, where did this information come from? I wonder if this establishment kept archives, and if so, where they are now?

On a happy note, I acquired an excellent specimen of the full-size, bookcase "Star Dust" bed just last week. Gotta love craigslist! :-)

  • 1.22.09

Scott commented: @JS - That information comes from a handful of original manufacturer's tags that have been seen still attached to the backs of the furniture. In fact, our bed has one such tag. The NMA archives would be a great place to check next ... although I heard a rumor years ago that its archives were lost in fire. Still worth checking up on, though.

misha commented: Hello All, I have two bedside tables & the long, 8 drawer dresser from the Star Dust 515 series. They were my Grandmother's. There were once the TallBoy 5 drawer dresser & the vanity (or desk) in the family but they were "lost" by my Aunt. I am now on a search for the vanity/ desk & most esp the Tall Dresser. I would consider trade of my long dresser, with intact mirror, for the tall dresser. I have never found these pieces for sale on the West Coast, where I now live. Ideas? Assistance?

  • 3.19.09

Scott commented: Thanks Misha. I know of an antique shop in St. Joseph, IL that has the vanity desk with mirror and bench. Not sure of the price, but let me know if you'd like me to send you more specifics about it. They don't know specifically what it is, so calling and asking about a "Star Dust" desk is going to create some confusion, but if I can be of assistance I'm willing to do what I can. Also keep checking back here, as there is very little information online about this line, and people searching the we often end up on this page.

Nancy commented: FOR SALE: I have the vanity (above), vanity bench, chair, nightstand, 5-drawer chest, and bookcase headboard & footboard. My parents bought this in 1951 for me. I can send email photos all of pieces. The furniture is located in North Carolina. You will be responsible for shipping or pickup. Please call me 706.613.7825 or email to nzechella@hotmail.com. Closing my father's estate.

  • 4.6.09

kevin commented: As of Sunday 7/19/09, the Goodwill store on US 41 (South Tamiami Trail) & Myrtle St in Sarasota FL has the Star Dust dresser, mirror & chest in decent restorable condition. I, too, thought it was Conant Ball, but I guess not. This page is the only reference to the Star Dust furniture I've found so far. Anyway, I have enough projects now, and had to pass on this set. IIRC, they're asking about $100 for all.

  • 7.21.09

Scott commented: Thanks for the tip, Kevin. And just FYI, I have a fairly significant series of articles in the works that will clear up a lot of misconceptions about Star Dust ... including the real name of the line! I hope to begin posting the articles in the next few weeks, as soon as I can gather up a few more resources.

Scott commented: I've recently unearthed a lot of new information about this line of furniture. If you are interested in learning more, please check out a new feature here on Ars Longa titled The Star Dust Saga.

Rebecca commented: I have some Star dust furniture exactly like the discussion on this site except my says "516 Star Dust". Does anyone know what the difference is?

  • 3.4.10

Scott commented: Here's an article I wrote on Suite 515 and Suite 516, Rebecca, including documentation of both lines. They are very much related, but I'm not exactly sure why the Forest Furniture Company split what was seemingly one line into two suites.

Tami Brewster commented: I have a bedroom set of the Suite 515 Star Dust for sale in very good condition. It includes the bed with a bookcase headboard, nightstand, vanity w/mirror and tall chest of drawers. Please email me for photos. Thank you.

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