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.
Paul McCobb for Directional Black Lacquered Flip Top Server Bar Cart, Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern flip top extension rolling bar cart server By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Calvin Group" USA, 1950s Black lacqu...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple, Grasscloth & Wrought Iron Credenza, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Paul McCobb Planner Group for Winchendon Furniture Co. Maple 2 Door, 4 Drawer Buffet Cabinet. Featuring a solid Maple frame, two Greige grasscloth covered sliding doors (between Pant...
Iron
$1,560Sale Price|35% Off
Paul McCobb for Calvin Linear Group Display Cabinet
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Paul McCobb For Calvin Linear Group Buffet Display Cabinet. The Linear Group was designed by Paul McCobb and manufactured by Calvin Furniture. This piece is comprised of two pieces...
Aluminum
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Server Bar Cart
By Herman Miller, George Nelson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
George Nelson for Herman Miller Mid Century Walnut Server Bar Cart This bar cart measures: 34 wide x 18 deep x 28.25 high, when extended the width is 56.25 inches Great Vintage Con...
Walnut
$5,510 / set
H 25.5 in W 60 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Black Lacquer Low Credenza
By Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful mid-century low credenza by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group. 1 adjustable shelve with pins. Solid maple construction with an original black lacquer finish. White cloth sliding front doors with brass finger...
Maple
Aldo Tura Lacquered Goatskin Bar Cart
By Aldo Tura
Located in Atlanta, GA
Glamourous Lacquered Goatskin Bar Cart, designed by Aldo Tura, Italy, circa 1960s. It is a versatile size and can be used as a cocktail bar or serving cart, or as rolling storage in ...
Goatskin, Glass, Wood
$2,600
H 18.5 in W 48 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Winchendon Modular Ebonized Maple Dresser
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, modular dresser system by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon features two 24 x 18 x 8.5 inch dressers with signature aluminu...
Aluminum
$1,296Sale Price|28% Off
H 25 in W 31 in D 18 in
Midcentury Danish Modern Teak extension Bar Cart Server
By Arne Vodder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simple mid century Danish modern teak bar cart server with two drawers and a lower shelf on casters. Solid teak wood construction top extends to reveal a black laminate center top. O...
Teak
Paul McCobb Planner Group Credenza in Solid Maple, Circa 1950s
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
A highly functional example of American mid-century modern design, this Paul McCobb Planner Group credenza is constructed in solid maple. Designed by Paul McCobb for the Winchendon F...
Wood, Birch
$4,895
H 34.5 in W 66 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb "Linear Group" Dresser w/ Steel Accents for Calvin Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials Walnut Wood, Lightly Patinated Steel ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, an...
Steel
$4,000
H 35 in W 72 in D 19 in
Mid Century Modern Paul McCobb Credenza with Brass base for Calvin Group
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern Dark brown Mahogany with folding front doors sideboard or credenza. Behind the folding doors are 2 Drawers and 2 adjustable shelves in a dark brown finish. Sits on...
Brass
$4,895
H 32.25 in W 60 in D 18.25 in
Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Two-Tone Credenza for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Materials: Walnut-Stained Maple Wood, Satin Lacquered Doors ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history bac...
Wood, Maple, Walnut, Lacquer
$3,000
H 30 in W 48 in D 19 in
Mid Century Modern Paul McCobb 4 drawer Server Brass base for Calvin Group
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern light Mahogany with 4 drawers server dresser or credenza. Sits on a square brass tube brass base with all feet and original brass knobs. Designed By Paul McCobb fo...
Brass
$5,995
H 25 in W 60 in D 18 in
Midcentury Low 4 Drawer Dresser by Paul McCobb Planner Group #1504 All Black
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful mid century low dresser credenza by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1504 with 4 drawers - solid maple construction has a Black Lacquered finish. All original aluminum...
Aluminum
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 25 in D 20 in
Mid century Danish Modern Teak Bar Cart Server with lift off top
By Arne Vodder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simple mid century Danish modern teak bar cart server with removable top and a lower shelf on casters. Solid teak wood construction. Original vintage condition clean all around. Loca...
Teak
Sold
H 33 in W 71.5 in D 19 in
Paul McCobb for Calvin Sideboard/Credenza. Mahogany, Leather, White Milk Glass
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Kansas City, MO
Credenza / sideboard / buffet / media cabinet designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin. Mahogany case with three drawers, sturdy brass legs, leather covered trim-fold doors revealing adju...
Brass
Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture Linear Group Buffet
By Paul McCobb
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
USA, 1960s Mid-century buffet or sideboard designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. Walnut, aluminum, and leatherette. The clean modern lines from the Linear Group...
Aluminum
Sold
H 80 in W 71.13 in D 19 in
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Cane Front Cabinet Model C8506 for Calvin 1952
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
Extraordinary Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Sideboard featuring twelve drawers with cane front doors and display Shelf Model C8506 for Calvin 1952. This is the ultimate storage and di...
Brass
Sold
H 34 in W 71.25 in D 19 in
Paul McCobb for Calvin MCM Bleached Mahogany and Brass Sideboard with Hutch
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin mid century bleached mahogany and brass sideboard with hutch The sideboard measures: 71.25 wide x 19 deep x 34 inches high (exact measurements for the hutc...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Credenza/ Buffet
By Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Paul McCobb Planner Group Credenza or Buffet. Pull out drawers behind 2 Sliding Doors. Extremely functional and beautiful design! Looks like someone painted doors yellow a long time ...
Maple
Sold
H 64.25 in W 48 in L 64.25 in
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century Sideboard Credenza Buffet with Hutch
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin mid century sideboard Credenza buffet with hutch This buffet with hutch measures: 48 wide x 18 deep x 64.25 inches...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 34 in W 36.25 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Mahogany and Brass Lift Top Bar Cabinet
By H Sacks & Sons, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern lift top bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection" USA, 1950s Ma...
Brass
High Cabinet by Paul McCobb for Directional / WK Möbel
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Towering high cabinet or board designed by Paul McCobb for Directional / WK Möbel. Walnut with original polished metal pulls. The cabinet exists of a chest with four drawer and a cab...
Wood
Paul MCobb for Calvin Group Cabinet/Breakfront
By Paul McCobb
Located in Norwalk, CT
Fully restored example of a room divider or breakfront from Paul McCobb's Irwin Collection designed for Calvin Group in the 1950s and manufactured in their factory in Grand Rapids, M...
Brass
Sold
H 57.5 in W 52.25 in D 18.25 in
Paul McCobb for Planner Group MCM Solid Wood Sideboard Credenza Buffet and Hutch
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group midcentury solid wood sideboard credenza buffet and hutch Buffet and hutch measure: 52.25 wide x 18.25 deep x 57.5 inches high This price includes g...
Wood
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Sideboard
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in New Windsor, NY
Mahogany case with ebonized doors. Four interior drawers with adjustable shelf. Signed in top drawer. Good refinished condition with wear commensurate wi...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 34.5 in W 66.5 in D 18.25 in
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Sideboard Server Buffet C1960 Blonde Mahogany
By Paul McCobb
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Metal legs and hardware. Blonde mahogany. Has 2 doors containing 1 shelf each. 6 drawers. Measures: 34 1/2" H x 66 1/2" W x 18 1/4" D.
Mahogany