Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Birch Bookshelf Wall Unit or Room Divider, 1950s
View Similar Items
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Birch Bookshelf Wall Unit or Room Divider, 1950s
About the Item
- Creator:Planner Group (Manufacturer),Paul McCobb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 75.38 in (191.47 cm)Width: 54.13 in (137.5 cm)Depth: 14.13 in (35.9 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Very good original vintage condition. Minor wear expected with age and use.
- Seller Location:South Bend, IN
- Reference Number:Seller: 74631stDibs: LU2745324296562
Paul McCobb
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.
Planner Group
Brilliant self-trained American designer Paul McCobb collaborated with New York salesman B.G. Mesberg to create what is now a widely revered collection of mid-century modern furniture called the Planner Group. Produced by renowned manufacturer Winchendon Furniture Company, vintage Planner Group dressers, credenzas, chairs and other pieces bring honesty and heritage into any interior.
More than any other designer beside Russel Wright, the Massachusetts-born 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.
Of McCobb’s cohesive lines of furnishings, his best-known Planner Group gave homes an instant “look.” McCobb designed for several companies, most notably Directional, the New York firm he cofounded with Mesberg that also produced designs by other legends such as Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan.
Known for their superior quality and affordable prices aimed at new homeowners, vintage Winchendon case furniture, side tables and desks were must-have staples for middle-class Americans in the postwar years. McCobb and Mesberg’s Planner Group for the manufacturer boasts a wide range of furnishings created in woods such as walnut and maple.
McCobb drew on the simplicity of Shaker furniture and Windsor chairs and was an advocate for modular furniture. A new homeowner could plan for properly furnishing each room with the Planner collection — a brochure touted its versatility — beginning with a couple of pieces from the series and gradually introducing more seating, cabinets and tables, stacking and combining as needed.
McCobb shared the limelight with the likes of celebrated American designers Charles and Ray Eames and was supposed to appear in a 1961 issue of Playboy magazine — a mid-century tastemaker of sorts — alongside other designers such as Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Jens Risom and Edward Wormley. A social and charismatic figure, McCobb can be found in photos from a party that took place the night before, but he was too hungover the next day to join the photo shoot.
For more than a decade beginning in 1950, the Planner designs comprised the best-selling furniture suite in the United States.
Find vintage Planner Group furniture and other Paul McCobb furniture on 1stDibs.
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Birch Bookcase on Hairpin Legs, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INA sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern bookcase By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch, with steel hairpin legs. Measures: 36"W x...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsSteel
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Birch Corner Desk, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INA sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern solid birch corner desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 35.5"W x 35.5"D x 28.25"H. Good origi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Birch Dresser or Chest of Drawers, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INA sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern three-drawer dresser or chest of drawers By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch, with original bras...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Birch Sliding Door Sideboard Credenza, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch, with sliding grass cloth doors. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBirch, Grasscloth
- Paul McCobb Planner Group 20-Drawer Dresser or Credenza, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INA rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern 20-drawer long dresser or credenza By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch, with original brass ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Solid Maple Nightstand, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INA sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern nightstand or side table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple, with original brass drawer pu...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Stunning Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Room Divider Etagere WalnutBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in BROOKLYN, NYMidcentury American designer Paul McCobb freestanding Maple with walnut finish room divider for Planner Group. Unit is Solid Maple wood with Walnut brown lacquer finish. This unit is in vintage condition - Has lower cabinet and (1) lower drawer - all maple with an original Walnut lacquer finish - Original Solid brass knobs...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsBrass
- Stunning Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Room Divider Etagere blackBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in BROOKLYN, NYMidcentury American designer Paul McCobb freestanding black lacquer room divider for Planner Group. Unit black lacquer finish. This unit is in Beautiful vintage condition - Has lower cabinet and (2) lower drawers - all maple with an original black lacquer finish - Solid brass knobs...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Iron / Wood Bookcase Planner GroupBy Paul McCobbLocated in Cincinnati, OHA two piece satin black iron framed bookcase with medium dark solid maple wood shelves . The unit sits on the matching bottom platform giving the piece a open simple , lighter look t...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsIron
- Cast Iron Bookcase or Room DividerLocated in Oakville, CTRepurposed cast iron library book case ends with adjustable shelves. Overall dimensions are 24" x 48" x 84 1/2" high Upper shelves measure 15" x 4...Category
Early 20th Century American Bookcases
MaterialsMetal
- Danish Walnut Stand Alone Wall Unit / Room Divider / BookshelfBy HG FurnitureLocated in Kensington, MDDanish Walnut Stand Alone Wall Unit / Room Divider / Bookshelf Additional information: Material: Walnut Featured at DC Gorgeous honey-toned walnut that would certainly play wel...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsWalnut
Price Upon Request - Bookcase/Storage Cabinet by Paul McCobb Planner GroupBy Paul McCobbLocated in Cincinnati, OHA cabinet sitting on a bench base with conical legs, having one adjustable shelve sliding doors and storage finished in satin black having brass finger pulls . Solid maple wood con...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWood