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ebay Obsessed: Chris Mitchell, VP and Publisher, Conde Nast Traveler

Traveling and collecting often go hand-in-hand: A much-anticipated trip calls for some souvenirs to remember it by, and before you know it, you’ve got shelves full of snow globes. So it’s no surprise that as a traveler by title, Conde Nast Travelermagazine Vice President and Publisher Chris Mitchell is himself an avid collector.

Mitchell’s particular obsession is Scandinavian design. He first became interested in the genre in his mid-20s, when he and his wife worked with Fernlund + Logan, the New York-based firm founded by Swedish architects Solveig Fernlund and Neil Logan, on their first apartment. Neil Logan exposed Mitchell to mid-century modern Scandinavian design. Mitchell loved its clean lines and use of materials like rosewood and teak, and began to studying the Danish Modern movement and related design periods by researching online, reading books and talking to dealers. Fifteen years later, he’s the guy that everyone considers the connoisseur.

While he used to spend his weekends visiting dealers and driving to antique stores, these days, with two kids in tow, much of his meandering has moved to the web. eBay is a favorite destination. Most of his family's Brooklyn brownstone and weekend house are furnished with his finds.

Here are some of Chris Mitchell's favorite eBay scores.

Candlestick Holders

Roll over items for details
Danish Design Candlestick Holders
(buy it now price, $14.99)
ebay Obsessed: Chris Mitchell, VP and Publisher, Conde Nast Traveler

Mitchell's Collection, left: “I just got this lot from Denmark a couple of weeks ago.  All I really wanted was the Arne Jacobsen ashtray, which is virtually impossible to find in this large size, and in brass. In order 
to get it though, I had to buy these Danish brass candlesticks (which I love), some flatware, 
and a light fixture.”  

Get the Look, right: Danish Design Candlestick Holders: (buy it now price, $14.99)

Circular Mirror

Vintage Danish Wall Mirror
(buy it now price, approx. $98)
ebay Obsessed: Chris Mitchell, VP and Publisher, Conde Nast Traveler

Mitchell's Collection, left:“I collect and buy these circular mirrors whenever I see them at the right price. This Danish rosewood mirror I got on eBay for $150, and it came from Denmark. I’ve seen them in stores 
for $1000.”

Get the Look, right:Vintage Danish Wall Mirror (buy it now price, approx. $98)

Lawn Bowl Ball

Vintage Lawn Bowl Ball
(starting bid, $49)
ebay Obsessed: Chris Mitchell, VP and Publisher, Conde Nast Traveler

Mitchell's Collection, left: “This is an English ironwood lawn bowl.  It’s from turn-of-the-century England and has an ivory top inlaid. I paid $100 for it and I love it as an object.” 

Get the Look, right: (starting bid, $49)

 

Rosenthal Raymond Loewy China

ebay Obsessed: Chris Mitchell, VP and Publisher, Conde Nast Traveler

Mitchell's Collection, left: “We collect Raymond Loewy china. This is my collection of serving bowls—some of them even have lids, which are really hard to find. I have a 64 piece set that I got from eBay too.”

Get the Look: Set of Four Rosenthal Raymond Loewy Script Cups and Saucers (buy it now price, $29.99)

 

Roe Deer Mounts

Roe Deer Mount Antlers
(buy it now price, $24.90)
ebay Obsessed: Chris Mitchell, VP and Publisher, Conde Nast Traveler

Mitchell's Collection, left: “These Black Forest roe mounts hang in our kitchen/family room. They’re on turned wood plaques, which are really hard to find. Much more common are the mounts in a trophy style, 
but I love these. They came from Austria, and I bought them around two years ago for about 
$50 a piece.”

Get the Look, right:  Roe Deer Mount Antlers (buy it now price, $24.90)

 

Mogens Lassen and Finn Juhl Furniture

Vintage Mogens Lassen Three-Legged Stool
(buy it now price, $1,995)
ebay Obsessed: Chris Mitchell, VP and Publisher, Conde Nast Traveler

Mitchell's Collection, left: “On the left is a three-legged stool in the style of Mogens Lassen, a Danish designer. I got it for $300, but if I got an original Mogens Lassen, it would set me back close to $2000. This  came from a U.S. seller. On the right, is the Finn Juhl “45” chair. It’s highly collectible, and  sells in the range of $6000-$8000, depending on the condition. I got mine for $1500 around  four years ago.“

Get the Look, right: Vintage Mogens Lassen Three-Legged Stool (buy it now price, $1995)

Arne Jacobsen Chairs

Arne Jacobsen Swan Chair
(starting bid, $3250)
ebay Obsessed: Chris Mitchell, VP and Publisher, Conde Nast Traveler

Mitchell's Collection, left: “My ultimate eBay find is this Arne Jacobsen “Swan” chair in leather.  It was the best score  ever—I got it for $1500, and it’s probably worth $7500, and I love its patina.”

Get the Look, right: Arne Jacobsen Swan Chair  (starting bid, $3250)

**Image of Chris Mitchell provided by Mitchell.**

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9c92f2b7-1cd7-4982-9154-025837a8dedd Sun, 5 Jun 2011 20:53:23 PDT Sun, 5 Jun 2011 20:53:23 PDT
DAVID BARTER
comment-post

I HAVE THE FOLLOWING PIECES OF LOEWY ROSENTHAL CHINA WITH THE R AND CROWN MARKING ON THE BACK, THEY ARE ALL WHITE 1 SERVING BOWL WITH LID 2 OPEN SERVING BOWLS LOTUS DESIGNED LARGER THAN THE SUGAR BOWL THEY ARE ALL IN VERY GOOD CONDITION I WOULD WELCOME ANY HELP YOU COULD BE IN PRICING THEM THANK YOU

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