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Paul McCobb Desk Accessories

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
1950s Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desk Organizer
1950s Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desk Organizer

1950s Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desk Organizer

$2,400

1950s Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desk Organizer

By Winchester Furniture, Paul McCobb

Located in Saint Paul, MN

Paul McCobb Planner Group desk organizer by Winchendon Furniture. Made in the 1950s.

Category

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

Materials

Iron

Desk Organizer by Paul McCobb for Winchendon, 1949
Desk Organizer by Paul McCobb for Winchendon, 1949

Desk Organizer by Paul McCobb for Winchendon, 1949

$2,800

Desk Organizer by Paul McCobb for Winchendon, 1949

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A small table top maple storage unit with two drawers supported by a black steel frame base. This desk organizer is a product from the Planner Group, a coordinated contemporary furni...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Desk Accessories

Materials

Steel

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Paul Mccobb desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.

Paul McCobb desk accessories 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 desk accessories, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desk accessories by Paul McCobb were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. Prices for Paul McCobb desk accessories can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,800 and can go as high as $3,200, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,000.
Questions About Paul McCobb Desk Accessories
  • How do I identify Paul McCobb furniture?
    1 Answer
    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.
  • How do I refinish Paul McCobb furniture?
    1 Answer
    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.
  • How can I sell Paul McCobb furniture?
    1 Answer
    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.
  • What type of wood finish did Paul McCobb use?
    1 Answer
    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.