Paul McCobb Bookcases
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
Midcentury Paul McCobb Single Bookcase #1516 on Iron Base
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Vintage midcentury Paul McCobb single bookcase #1516 solid maple with original walnut finish on an Iron base. Beautiful bookcase by Paul McCobb circa 1950s Planner Group, single cent...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Bookcases
Materials
Iron
Midcentury Paul McCobb Single Bookcase #1516 Walnut Finish Iron Base Clean
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Vintage midcentury Paul McCobb single bookcase #1516 solid maple with original walnut finish on an Iron base. Beautiful bookcase by Paul McCobb circa 1950s Planner Group, single cent...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Bookcases
Materials
Iron
Paul McCobb Planner Group 3 Piece Bookcase
By Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Paul McCobb Planner Group 3 Piece Bookcase Grouping bought directly from the original owners! All original and very clean! 4 drawer center unit is a very nice addition to this Cla...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Stylish Mid-Century Small Bookcase by Paul McCobb for Planner Group
By Paul McCobb
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish small bookcase for the Planner Group designed by architect and furniture designer Paul McCobb. Great to use in a children's room to keep all their books within reach for the...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Bookcases
Materials
Birch
Original Paul McCobb Bookcase/Etagere and Bench Set from the Planner Group
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous Mid Century two piece shelving system by Paul McCobb and part of the “Planner Group” manufactured by Winchendon in the 1950s. Original maple wood shelves and black wrought i...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Bookcases
Materials
Iron
American Mid-Century brass and walnut etegere
By Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century brass and walnut etegere / display cabinet with 2 top shelves over a 2-sliding textured glass door cabinet above an adjacent solid cabinet with a drop-down front...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Bookcases
Materials
Glass
Paul McCobb Bookcase for H. Sacks & Sons from the Connoisseur Collection
By Paul McCobb
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A Mid Century walnut bookcase with two shelves and a small cabinet with two sliding doors for storage . Sitting on a aluminum frame and free standing this smaller scaled piece would ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Bookcases
Materials
Aluminum
Paul Mccobb Room Divider for Calvin Furniture Company
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Room Divider for Calvin Furniture Company, Features Mahogany, solid brass and glass shelves.
Lower section has Five Drawers with brass...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Bookcase on Hairpin Legs, Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern glass front bookcase on hairpin legs
By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group"
USA, 1950s
Solid birch in black lacquered finish, with sliding glass doors and steel hairpin legs.
Measures: 36"W x 12.25"D x 34.25"H.
Newly refinished. Excellent condition.
Two matching bookcases...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Bookcases on Hairpin Legs, Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern glass front bookcases on hairpin legs
By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group"
USA, 1950s
Solid birch in black lacqu...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Bookcases
Materials
Steel
Paul McCobb Storage Unit Custom Matte Blackened Finish
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Storage Unit for Calvin Furniture features a custom matte blackened finish over walnut.
Three drawers, an open display cubby, and sliding doors for extra storage. Refinis...
Category
1960s American Vintage Paul McCobb Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table with Bookcase Topper by Paul McCobb
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This combination coffee table and bookcase make a unique Mid-Century Modern statement to home or business, offering versatility as a table and bookshelf. Designed by Paul McCobb for ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Bookcases
Perfectly Mid-Sized Adj Shelf Bookcase with Drawer in Manner of Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Kensington, MD
Great bookcase by Paul McCobb wit drawer on top.
Wonderful size with nice storage capacity in a small space.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Bookcases
Materials
Birch
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Mid Century Cabinet or Bookcase by Paul McCobb Planner Group
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Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Birch Wall Unit or Room Divider
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A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern wall unit or room divider
By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group"
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...
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Located in BROOKLYN, NY
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Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Bookcase on Hairpin Legs, 1950s
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Located in South Bend, IN
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Paul Mccobb bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.
Paul McCobb bookcases 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 bookcases, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original bookcases by Paul McCobb were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider bookcases by George Nelson, Herman Miller, and Drexel. Prices for Paul McCobb bookcases can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,450 and can go as high as $24,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,200.
Creators Similar to Paul McCobb
Questions About Paul McCobb Bookcases
- 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, 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, 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, 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.