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Paul McCobb

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.

Average Sold Price
$3,248
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Iconic Designs from Paul McCobb
Explore timeless pieces that have earned their place in history.
Paul Mccobb Origami Chair
Paul Mccobb Origami Chair
Paul Mccobb Symmetric Group Sofa
Paul Mccobb Symmetric Group Sofa
Paul McCobb Cache Console with Two Drawers, Wood and Steel by Karakter
By Paul McCobb
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Console with two drawers designed by Paul McCobb in 1952. The foundation of the Cache series, part of Paul McCobb’s extensive Planner series, is a beautifully simplistic and easy...
Category

2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb

Materials

Steel

Paul McCobb Brass and Mahogany "Cigarette" Table for Directional, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Coronado, CA
Paul McCobb Model '1094' "Cigarette" table produced by Directional in the 1950s. These tables were produced in very small numbers for only a brief time. Solid brass tripod form with ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Mahogany and Brass Server or Bar Cabinet
By H Sacks & Sons, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern petite server or bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection" USA, 1950s Mahogany, with brass legs and hardware. Measure...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb

Materials

Brass

Pair of Ebonized Planner Group Side Tables by Paul McCobb for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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

Materials

Aluminum

Paul McCobb 10'L Dining Table with Six Leaves
By Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic and elegant timeless design. Walnut with rounded ends and brass support design. It comes with the original box that holds six leaves. The six leaves are a great design / bon...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb

Materials

Brass

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern “Planner Group” Desk by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb

Materials

Maple

Midcentury Paul McCobb 2 Drawer #1503 Nightstands Blonde maple T Pulls
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul McCobb 1950s #1503 blonde maple nightstands end tables double-drawer planner Group. Black steel T pull knobs.Finished in raw blonde maple. Very modern designed...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Paul McCobb Planner Group Dining Chairs Maple Spindle Back Chairs
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Set of 6 All original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group spindle back side chairs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vintage condition. Original blon...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb

Materials

Maple

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Creators Similar to Paul McCobb

More Paul McCobb Designs
Paul Mccobb Origami Chair
Paul Mccobb Origami Chair
Average Price
$3,006
Number Available
12
Paul Mccobb Origami Chair
By Paul McCobb
Materials
Metal, Fiberglass, Plastic
Styles
Mid Century Modern
It’s universally known as the Origami chair — a moniker that references the long tradition of delicate paper-folding art that was popularized in Japan. Originally, however, the intent was to create seating that was exceptionally strong.Promoted under its official name in a Directional Furniture brochure as sturdy enough for “extraordinary conditions” and “eminently suited to hard wear,” the Faceted Form chair in 1959 was the creation of Paul McCobb (1917–69), one of America’s most prolific mi...
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Paul Mccobb Symmetric Group Sofa
Paul Mccobb Symmetric Group Sofa
Average Price
$9,233
Number Available
6
Paul Mccobb Symmetric Group Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Maple, Walnut
Styles
Mid Century Modern
The 1962 Symmetric Group sofa borrows from the simplicity of New England furniture traditions and infuses this heritage with a playful modernism. Boston-born designer Paul McCobb (1917–69) was inspired by the solid craftsmanship of Shaker and Windsor furniture as well as the needs of mid-century living. Designed for Widdicomb Furniture Company, the high-backed Symmetric Group sofa could add a note of elegance to a middle-class home, balancing its bulky body of swooping arms and ribbed details...
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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.
Questions About Paul McCobb
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    To 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, 2022
    The 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, 2022
    You 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, 2022
    In 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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