If you remember these M-Series plastic boxes from the ’80s, you may be surprised to know that AMAC has been manufacturing them since the ’60s. In fact, they’re a vibrant piece of design history, and you can find them in the permanent design collection at MoMA! As a kid, I used them to hold stickers and other trinkets. I wrote my name on them with paint pens and even embellished the design with…you guessed it: more stickers. These days I prefer M-Series boxes in their pure and simple state! So when I encountered a shelf of them at The Container Store a couple of weeks ago, I had to buy an armload and subsequently photograph them…
I’m a big fan of the cool tones, such as teal, blue and smoky grey. But there’s something about the combination of red, orange and yellow that I find irresistible:
Here are a few more snapshots of the AMAC boxes, and they showcase the range of sizes available. Don’t they look good enough to eat? In fact, I’m considering buying a set of the square variety and filling them with candy to distribute as favors at my next party.
Hope you’re enjoying a colorful summer!
Love these! I first discovered them in the early 80’s at Pier One. Back then Pier One (in my hometown Mishawaka Indiana) was in the warehouse of an old brewery converted into a mini mall, The One Hundred Center. In those days Pier One was very warehousey with tons of cool stuff from Asia. Lots of cool kites and Japanese paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. They had a huge wall of AMAC boxes of every size and color. Today the Container Store has a good selection of AMAC, but I miss the old Pier One. There present incarnation’s aesthetic is painfully ugly. Ahh the 80’s….miss ’em.
I remember the Pier One of the ’80s! I didn’t realize they carried AMAC boxes! I picked most of mine up at mall trinket stores. It seems that every time I head to The Container Store these days, I have to buy a couple more. Thanks for your comment!
I have tons of these boxes—old and new–all sizes. The tiny cube dosen’t hold much, but it is cute. I have all colors–solids and transparent. I got most of mine at Pier 1 too, and just got some new one from The Container Store. It’s fun to mix up tops and bottoms, solids and transparents. My favorites are cool colors too, especially blues and greens. I keep all kinds of stuff in them.
Thanks for the feedback! We love our boxes too! Sixty-one years and going strong.
Don’t forget to check out our BEAUTIFUL & FUNCTIONAL Stacking Canisters. They come with a crystal body and an array of beautiful colored lids. http://www.amac1960.com.
They make for a great storage solution for a baby’s room, kitchen, craft room or bathroom.
We also offer a variety of Showcase Boxes to protect your collectibles and miniatures! Let
AMAC keep the items you cherish secure, dust free and within site.
Cindy Phipps
Sales Manager
AMAC Plastic Products
Can the AMAC mini 2″ X 2″ color boxes be purchased?