Paul McCobb Furniture
American, 1917-1969
The single aesthetic attribute of vintage Paul McCobb furniture is that the designer completely forsook ornament — his pieces have no flourishes. And yet, because they are honest — McCobb’s chairs, desks and dining tables are made of solid wood, usually maple or birch, often paired with frames and legs of wrought iron; the cabinets are traditionally scaled; the seating pieces have historic antecedents such as the Windsor chair — his mid-century modern work has warmth and presence.
You could call the Massachusetts-born McCobb a man of parts. As a furniture designer, his work combined the attributes of many of his now better-known peers.
Like the work of Bauhaus designers such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, McCobb's furniture had purity of form and line. Like the designs of Florence Knoll and George Nelson and his associates, McCobb’s work was efficient and purposeful. And even like George Nakashima, he was adept at interpreting traditional forms, in particular those of chairs, for the 20th century.
More than any other designer besides Russel Wright, with his ubiquitous ceramic tableware, McCobb was arguably responsible for the introduction of modern design into middle-class American households — if for no other reason than that he designed the 1952 set for the original Today show.
McCobb, a repeat recipient of the Good Design Award from the Museum of Modern Art, also designed cohesive lines of furnishings, such as his best-known Planner Group, that gave homes an instant “look.” He designed for several companies, most notably Directional, which was home to McCobb’s Origami chair.
In 1949, in partnership with New York furniture salesman B.G. Mesberg, McCobb set up the Directional Furniture Company, a brand known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors everywhere. Directional opened its doors after McCobb created the high-end Directional Modern line of sofas distributed by the New York-based Modernage Company. Directional also produced designs by other legends such as Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan.
As you can see from the offerings on 1stDibs, McCobb designs are the pin-striped suit, or the little black dress, of a decor: an essential.
Find vintage Paul McCobb credenzas, bookcases, nightstands and other furniture on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Paul McCobb
Dealer: Machine Age
Six-Drawer Walnut Dresser by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Paul McCobb and manufactured by Calvin Furniture, this mid-century six-drawer dresser features aluminum accents and slender drawer pulls that emphasize its clean lines an...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Four-Drawer Walnut Dresser by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Paul McCobb and manufactured by Calvin Furniture, this four-drawer dresser features aluminum accents and slender drawer pulls that emphasize its clean lines and beautiful...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Planner Group Three-Drawer Chest on Low Table by Paul McCobb for Winchendon
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture's Planner Group line, this chest comprises a three-drawer maple case piece that sits atop a low detached maple table that could also ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Ebonized Predictor Group Desk by Paul McCobb for O'Hearn Furniture Company
By O'Hearn Furniture 1, Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
This hard-to-find desk is a Paul McCobb design for his Predictor series, manufactured by O'Hearn Furniture only from 1951 to 1955. The ebonized maple case sits on slender canted legs. To the left a door conceals three drawers, the lower of which is file-deep. To the right three narrow but long drawers feature round brass pulls. To the back is a narrow shelf...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Tall Walnut and Leather Cabinet with Glass Doors by Paul McCobb for H. Sacks
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
In this handsome Paul McCobb–designed cabinet, oiled walnut frames glass and leather-fronted cases. The upper display case has six adjustable glass shelves; the lower case features t...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Glass, Leather, Walnut
Irwin Group Walnut Dining Table by Paul McCobb for Calvin
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Dorchester, MA
Paul McCobb designed this striking dining table as part of his Irwin Group Collection for Calvin Furniture. The walnut top perches on slim angled aluminium...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Pair of Ebonized Planner Group Side Tables by Paul McCobb for Winchendon
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Paul McCobb designed this pair of side tables, model 1540, for Winchendon's Planner Group. An ebonized maple case sits on angular tapered legs; its single wide drawer sports an alumi...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Origami Side Chair on Swiveling Pedestal Base by Paul McCobb for St John
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed in 1959 as the Faceted form chair, Paul McCobb’s fiberglass seating has become known as the Origami Chair, its molded facets reminiscent of ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Metal
Full-Size Maple Planner Group Bookcase Headboard by Paul McCobb for Winchendon
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Paul McCobb designed this solid maple headboard, model 1553, as part of the Planner Group line for Winchendon Furniture. The frame fits a full-size bed...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Iron
Related Items
Paul McCobb for Winchendon Twenty Drawer Walnut and Iron Dresser
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century walnut 20-drawer dresser with iron T-bar drawer pulls resting on six thin iron legs. (PAUL MCCOBB FOR WINCHENDON FURNITURE).
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Metal, Iron
Paul McCobb for Calvin Dining Table with Brass X Cross Support Pick your Finish
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Designed by Paul McCobb for his Irwin collection for Calvin, this Philippine Mahogany dining table has brass X stretcher between tapered legs, includes two 12" extension leaves. Leng...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
H 29 in W 60.25 in D 38.25 in
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Winchendon Modular Ebonized Maple Dresser
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, modular dresser system by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon features two 24 x 18 x 8.5 inch dressers with signature aluminu...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table by Paul McCobb for Calvin 2 Leaves
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
A Mid-Century Modern walnut extension dining table designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. The table features dark walnut wood grain and aluminum stretchers. The table is in or...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Mid-Century Credenza by Paul McCobb Planner Group #1513 Blonde Doors Maple
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful mid-century low credenza cabinet with blonde maple sliding doors by Paul McCobb circa 1950 planner group #1513 has 2 adjustable shelves with pins - solid maple construction...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb 3-Drawer Dresser #1508 Blonde Finish Brass Pulls
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Vintage mid-century Paul McCobb 3-drawer dresser Planner Group #1508. Beautiful dresser by Paul McCobb circa 1950s Planner Group, 3 drawer, solid maple, blonde finish, brass pulls, W...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Maple
H 33 in W 36 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb 6 Drawer Dresser Original Finish
By Paul McCobb
Located in Wilton, CT
Perfect for apartment living this compact (48in) dresser, designed by the great Paul McCobb in his Planner Group. McCobb, influenced by the English designer Thomas Sheridan used deli...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection for Calvin Walnut Dining Table
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a vintage Mid-Century Modern dining table, designed by Paul McCobb for the Irwin Collection by Calvin. The table is made of walnut featuring an ovular tabletop with alumin...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Paul McCobb Calvin Linear Group Dresser, Chest, Commode, Mid-Century Modern
By Paul McCobb
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern Chest by Paul McCobb (1917-1969) for Calvin Linear Group
This walnut and aluminum chest having four center drawers with pulls. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1950...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Metal
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century Gentleman's Highboy Dresser
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century Gentleman's Highboy Dresser
This highboy measures: 36 wide x 19.25 deep x 52.75 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call re...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Pedestal Desk
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage modern pedestal desk features the iconic mid-century design of Paul McCobb. Single sided writing desk offers two drawers for storage and organization and a spacious formica-style top for work. Slender tapered legs and unique McCobb drawer pulls...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb Planner Group dresser for Winchendon, MA. Solid maple construction with three deep drawers and aluminum pulls on tapering angular legs. In very good original condition, r...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Maple
Previously Available Items
Swiveling Table Mirror with Shelf by Paul McCobb for Bryce Originals
By Bryce Originals, Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Paul McCobb for Bryce Originals, this elegant mid-century modern table mirror comprises a slender painted iron frame with a swiveling mirror and an inset white Vitrolite ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Iron
Twenty-Drawer Ebonized Dresser by Paul McCobb for Rapid's Furniture
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Paul McCobb for Rapid's Furniture of Massachusetts, this handsome dresser is made of solid maple with a dark lacquer finish. Sitting on tapered legs, the case offers a to...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Birch Planner Group Cabinet by Paul McCobb for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon's Planner Group, this birch cabinet features two rows of three deep drawers with conical brass pulls and an adjustable shelf behind sliding doo...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Planner Group Buffet with Grasscloth Sliding Doors by Paul McCobb for Winchendon
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Paul McCobb designed this handsome buffet as part of his Planner Group for Winchendon. Perched on McCobb's signature splayed legs, the mahogany case is complemented by two grasscloth...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Grasscloth, Mahogany
H 33.25 in W 60 in D 18.25 in
Low Eight-Drawer Dresser by Paul McCobb for the Calvin Group
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Paul McCobb designed this double dresser for the Calvin Group's Irwin Collection. A walnut-stained mahogany case sits on delicately tapered legs with a brass cross brace. The eight d...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Maple Planner Group Dining Table with Extensions by Paul McCobb
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Paul McCobb designed this midcentury dining table, model 1521, for Winchendon. The outer edges of the tabletop slide open to accommodate two 10-by-30-inch leaves that extend the tabl...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Maple
Maple Drop-Leaf Planner Group Dining Table by Paul McCobb
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Paul McCobb designed this solid maple dining, model 1524, for Winchendon's Planner Group. Featuring his signature splayed tapered legs and a bevel-edged drop-leaf top, the table meas...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Maple
Set of Four Maple T-Back Dining Chairs by Paul McCobb for the Planner Group
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Paul McCobb designed these solid maple dining chairs, model 1530, for Winchendon's Planner Group line. The seats feature exposed leg joinery. The tapered legs continue the lines of t...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
H 30.5 in W 17 in D 17.5 in
Ten-Drawer Walnut Dresser with Marble Top by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Paul McCobb designed this clean-lined dresser as part of Winchendon's Planner Group. The elegant case contrasts warm walnut with aluminium trim and T-pull hardware and a luscious whi...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Marble, Aluminum
Set of Four Planner Group Dining Chairs, Model 1533 by Paul McCobb
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon's Planner Group, these dining/side chairs, model 1533, feature spindle backs and shovel-shaped black lacquered seats that are held within an ir...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Iron
Planner Group Six-Drawer Maple Dresser by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Dorchester, MA
Paul McCobb designed this dresser, model 1509, as part of Winchendon's Planner Group. The maple case, set on tapered and canted legs, has two banks of three drawers, each with a coni...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Planner Group 20-Drawer Maple Dresser by Paul Mccobb
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Dorchester, MA
Paul McCobb designed this fabulous twenty-drawer dresser, model #1510, as part of the Planner Group by Winchendon. It features a maple case with four drawers above two banks of three...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul Mccobb furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Paul McCobb furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paul McCobb furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 901 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 16 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Paul McCobb were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Dunbar, George Nelson, and John Widdicomb. Prices for Paul McCobb furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $195 and can go as high as $25,995, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,826.
Creators Similar to Paul McCobb
Questions About Paul McCobb Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022You can sell Paul McCobb furniture in a number of ways. Options include selling directly to someone else by advertising on social media or in the newspaper or going to a vintage furniture shop. You can also work with an auction house or choose a reputable online platform. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Paul McCobb furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The best way to identify Paul McCobb furniture is to look for the signature hallmarks of his style. He didn't sign or add a brand marker to his pieces. McCobb preferred clean, simple lines with no ornamentation. Slightly angled legs and boxy drawers and chair backs are indicative of his work. On 1stDibs, find a variety of expertly vetted Paul McCobb furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To refinish Paul McCobb furniture, start by stripping away the old finish with a chemical stripper. Then, use a fine wire brush and steel wool to remove any lingering chemicals. Sand every surface and apply a wood conditioner. Finally, apply three to five coats of lacquer. Find a collection of Paul McCobb furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022In most cases, Paul McCobb used a natural lacquer wood finish. In doing so, he emphasized the natural color and grain of the hardwoods used to build his tables, desks, cabinets and other furniture. Shop a collection of Paul McCobb on 1stDibs.
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