Mid-Century Rosewood Albero Bookmill by Gianfranco Frattini for Poltrona Frau, 1955

You have added this product to your wishlist.

You have removed this product from your wishlist.

Unfortunately, this action has failed. Please refresh the page and try again.

You can view your wishlist here.

The seller assumes all responsibility for this listing.

About This Piece

Vintage Design

Conceived in the late 1950s as a floor-to-ceiling free-standing bookcase, Albero was designed for use in interior settings rather than for serial production. The Albero is formally associated with the Neoliberty period and, in terms of product type, to the floor-to-ceiling bookcase systems that were popular throughout the 50s and 60s. It was designed by Frattini, the structure stands out both for its complex cabinet work and for its sculpted nature, acting as the centerpiece of a room.

The bookcase comprises just a few ingeniously interconnected elements, which show Gianfranco Frattini’s attention to the laws of statics and dynamics. It has four vertical struts and two rack and pinion poles at the two ends, all crafted from solid rosewood. The shelves, produced in MDF with rosewood essence veneer, can be positioned in the holes along the struts as desired with a minimum of eight and a maximum of 12 shelves. A special metal cylinder is attached to the ceiling to hold the bookcase in place. The Albero’s frame is attached to this and the floor thanks to two adjustable metal ferrules that ensure its stability. The height of the bookcase can vary between 2.66 m to 3.26 m. / 104.72 to 128.35 inches.

It will be shipped in a package approximately measuring 70x90x100cm.

Click here for full description Close description

Creator	Gianfranco Frattini
Manufacturer	Poltrona Frau
Design Period	1950 to 1959
Year	1955
Production Period	1950 to 1959
Country of Manufacture	Italy
Identifying Marks	This piece has been attributed based on archival documentation, such as vintage catalogs, designer records, or other literature sources
Style	Vintage, Mid-Century
Detailed Condition	Good — This vintage/antique item may have some wear such as scratches and other signs of ageing.
Restoration and Damage Details	Light wear consistent with age and use
Product Code	IEI-370155
Materials	Metal, Teak
Color	Black, brown
Height	266 cm 104.7 inch
Diameter	32.7 inch
Duties Notice	Import duty is not included in the prices you see online. You may have to pay import duties upon receipt of your order.

Shipping & Delivery

Ships from	Netherlands
Duties Notice	Import duty is not included in the prices you see online. You may have to pay import duties upon receipt of your order.
Returns	Returns accepted within two days of delivery, except for Made-to-order items

Delivery Options

Front Door Delivery: (Included in Every Order)	A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below). The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.
In-Home Delivery: (For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)	A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers. The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time. A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection. Item will be left in its packaging after delivery. A signature will be required upon delivery.

Front Door Delivery:
(Included in Every Order)

A skilled driver will unload the item(s) from the delivery truck and bring it to your building’s doorstep. You will be responsible for further transport beyond that point. We recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand; alternatively, you may upgrade to In-Home Delivery (see below).
The delivery partner will email and/or call you at least one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

In-Home Delivery:
(For in-home delivery service, additional fees apply. Please get in touch)

A skilled driver or a team of two will bring your item(s) inside your home and place it in the immediate entryway. For unusually large or heavy items, we recommend asking a family member or friend for an extra hand, as we cannot send more than 2 drivers.
The delivery partner will email and/or call you one day in advance to arrange a delivery time.
A wooden crate may be used for intercontinental shipments for maximum protection.
Item will be left in its packaging after delivery.
A signature will be required upon delivery.

*Important Note

Please examine every order upon delivery. In the event that there are visible signs of damage or missing or incorrect pieces, please indicate the problem on the Delivery Note and contact us within 48 hours of delivery. A signed delivery receipt without notations of missing, damaged, or incorrect item(s) represents your acceptance of the complete order in perfect condition.

Sustainability

Carbon Neutral	For every purchase made, Pamono offsets 100% of estimated carbon emissions from global shipping.
Vintage	Choosing vintage and antique furniture reduces your carbon footprint by cutting down on waste and reduces demand for new materials and extends the life of the products we use.

Product Safety Information

EU Responsible Person	Published before Dec 13th 2024

About the Maker

Poltrona Frau

Sardinian-born designer-entrepreneur Lorenzo “Renzo” Frau (1881-1926) founded the enduring Italian furniture brand Poltrona Frau in Turin in 1912. In these early years of the 20th century, Turin was home to an energetic community of vanguard artists, architects, and designers aligned with the Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts movements popular in London and Paris. Within this milieu, Frau set out to create an artisanal atelier specialized in high-end, leather-upholstered furnishings inspired by the classic, British Chesterfield Sofa. This influence later manifested in a number of top-selling designs in the Art Deco style.

Frau’s wife, Savina Pisati, played an increasingly important role in directing the company during World War I and after. Under her leadership, Poltrona Frau earned an international reputation for excellent quality and sophisticated silhouettes, and, by the midcentury, could be found in aristocratic homes, luxury ocean liners, and parliamentary meeting rooms around the world. Early successful designs for Poltrona Frau included the 1919 Armchair (also called the 128) from the titular year and the Vanity Fair Armchair (also called the 904) from 1930, both still in production today. In 1941, Pisati passed the baton to her son-in-law, Roberto Canziani, who in 1962, under pressure of bankruptcy, sold the company to luxury leather goods magnate and design lover, Franco Moschini of Nazareno Gabrielli Group.

Through the second half of the 20th century and beyond, Poltrona Frau continued to grow and thrive, finding great success especially with armchairs by Tito Agnoli, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Gio Ponti, Michele de Lucchi, Sergio Mazza, Enzo Mari, Massimo & Lella Vignelli, and Marco Zanuso. The company also developed a new business division dedicated to the automotive sector, outfitting luxury cars for brands like Ferrari, Maserati, and Lancia.

The Poltrona Frau Group remains one of the most prestigious design companies in the world, providing an umbrella for a number of other design brands, including Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, Cappellini, Cassina, Alias, Nemo Lighting, Ceramica Flaminia, and Fish Design. In 2014, US-based Haworth Group purchased a controlling interest in Poltrona Frau.

* All images courtesy of Poltrona Frau