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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: DeAngelis
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

Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Games Table and Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb Connoisseur collection games table and four matching side chairs. Classic Mid-Century Modern games table with inlaid mahogany diamond ...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb design six drawer dresser for his Planner Group series for Winchendon Furniture Company. Made from solid maple wood that has been professionally lacquered in a light Pist...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Travertine Top Dresser Irwin Collection for Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb design twelve drawer dresser for his Irwin collection by Calvin. Made with a bleached mahogany case and trifold accordion doors atop a brass plated six leg base and a tra...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture

Materials

Travertine, Brass

Paul McCobb 20 Drawer Dresser for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb design 20 drawer dresser for his Planner Group line produced by Winchendon, Massachusetts. Rare early example in solid maple with a lacqu...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Chest of Drawers Irwin Collection for Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb design chest of drawers for his Irwin Collection by Calvin. Classic American Mid-Century modern design and very functional for everyday use. Made from bleached mahogany...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture

Materials

Travertine, Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb design dresser for his debut Planner Group series for Winchendon, Mass. High quality construction using solid maple wood featuring eight drawers with aluminum o-ring pull...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture

Materials

Maple

Paul McCobb Planner Group Side Tables for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Paul McCobb design Planner Group side tables for Winchendon Furniture. Original matched pair in solid maple with brass cone shape pulls, labeled and in very good original con...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture

Materials

Maple

Paul McCobb Shovel Chair for Wichendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb design "Shovel" side chair model 1533 for Winchendon, Mass. A iconic and innovative chair in good original condition wood, metal frame shows wear and tear to finish but s...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture

Materials

Steel

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Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser, Model 1507
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Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Cabinets for Calvin Furniture Co.
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb design pair of cabinets for his Irwin Collection for Calvin Group. An original matched pair of mahogany and brass bi-fold door cabinets each with a single drawer and on...
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Paul McCobb Console Table for Calvin
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Paul McCobb Shovel Chair, Planner Group Model #1533
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Paul McCobb Planner Group End Tables for Winchendon
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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 Furniture
  • 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
    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
    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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