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Paul McCobb Dressers

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
Ebonized Mahogany Concealed Dresser By Paul McCobb, Irwin Collection, Calvin
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern, double-wide, credenza configuration, concealed mahogany dresser by Paul McCobb, Irwin Collection for Calvin Furniture features accordian fronts that open to revea...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Calvin Linear Group Dresser, Chest, Commode, Mid-Century Modern
By Paul McCobb
Located in Manhasset, NY
Mid-Century Modern Chest by Paul McCobb (1917-1969) for Calvin Linear Group This walnut and aluminum chest having four center drawers with pulls. Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1950...
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Metal

Pair of Paul McCobb for Calvin Four Drawer Dressers
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Paul McCobb for Calvin Four Drawer Dressers, Oiled walnut with vertical aluminum edge accents and beveled aluminum pulls.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Aluminum

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 Dressers

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb designed Dresser for Lane Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful vintage modern dresser boasts sixteen hefty drawers ensuring plenty of room for storage within its compact design. A stylish case piece with cabinet doors in the cente...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Metal

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 Dressers

Materials

Travertine, Brass

Mid Century Modern Delineator Dresser by Paul McCobb for Lane, c1960s
By Paul McCobb, Lane Furniture
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Prepare to fall in love with a piece of history. This stunning and rare mid-century modern dresser is a part of the "Delineator" series, meticulously designed by renowned furniture d...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Chrome

Paul McCobb for Planner Group Winchendon Modular Ebonized Maple Dresser
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
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...
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Mid Century Modern 8 drawer dresser linear Calvin by Paul Mccobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern 8 drawer dresser linear Calvin by Paul Mccobb. Part of the Linear line by Calvin Furniture co. Has walnut veneer on solid wood frame and drawers with aluminum hand...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Aluminum

Linear Group Display Cabinet by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture, c. 1960s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Deland, FL
The Linear Group was designed by Paul McCobb and manufactured by Calvin Furniture. Constructed from walnut, brass, and glass, the display cabinet is compr...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Paul McCobb Dresser for Calvin Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage modern dresser was designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. Sleek compact design with eight large drawers, unique metal pulls, and metal trim on the fronts...
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Paul McCobb Sideboard Dresser Console 1960s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Munich, DE
Serving table or console table designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin. Fold-out table top, which doubles the table’s storage area. Rectangle shape in a beautiful oak case and a with four...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Paul McCobb #1559 Hanging Jewelry Chest Mirror Vanity Maple Brass
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Paul McCobb #1559 small hanging flip up vanity mirror in solid maple construction with maple Tobacco Blonde finish. Very high quality construction with original brass pulls. Mad...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Paul McCobb #1559 Hanging Jewelry Chest Mirror Vanity walnut Brass
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Paul McCobb #1559 small hanging flip up vanity mirror in solid maple construction with dark brown walnut finish. Very high quality construction with original brass pulls. Made t...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Solid Birch Dresser, Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern eight-drawer dresser, credenza, or chest of drawers By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch, with or...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Brass

Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Dresser for Winchendon Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb "Planner Group" dresser for winchendon furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Steel

Mid Century Modern 6 drawer tall dresser linear Calvin by Paul Mccobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern 6 drawer tall dresser linear Calvin by Paul Mccobb. Part of the Linear line by Calvin Furniture co. Has walnut veneer on solid wood frame and drawers with aluminum...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Aluminum

Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 8 Drawer Lowboy Dresser
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 8 Drawer Lowboy Dresser This lowboy measures: 60 wide x 18 deep x 33.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call res...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Wood

Paul McCobb Two-Drawer on Bench with Black Vitrolite Top
By Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid maple and aluminum ring pulls. The drawer is in excellent condition.
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Aluminum

Paul McCobb for Calvin Linear MCM Walnut and Aluminum 4 Drawer Highboy Dresser
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin Linear Mid Century Walnut and Aluminum Highboy Dresser This highboy measures: 38 wide x 18 deep x 45 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Aluminum

Paul McCobb for Calvin Concealed Mahogany Dresser
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, streamlined, mahogany dresser by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture: The Irwin Collection features bi-fold doors that open to reveal four 5 inch height drawers that...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Dresser Chest w/Vitrolite Glass Top, Calvin Furniture 1960
By Irwin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Paul McCobb Dressers w/Vitrolite Glass Top, 1960 for Calvin Furniture. Restored in Sunshine yellow paint.
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Vitrolite, Wood, Paint

Paul McCobb for Calvin Mahogany and Travertine Dresser with Dual Tri-Fold Doors
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Dual tri-fold door mahogany and travertine dresser by Paul McCobb for Calvin's Irwin Collection. Beautifully grained walnut tri-fold doors and solid mahogany stretchers with a creamy slab of travertine, this iconic piece of elegant modern design could also work as a clean lined credenza...
Category

1950s American Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Travertine

Paul McCobb for Calvin Linear MCM Walnut and Aluminum 4 Drawer Highboy Dresser
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin Linear Mid Century Walnut and Aluminum Highboy Dresser This highboy measures: 38 wide x 18 deep x 45 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Aluminum

Solid Birch Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Credenza Long Dresser Paul McCobb
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice wooden handles three compartments three drawers Paul McCobb credenza. Nice TV base cabinet. Excellent original vintage condition with beautiful wood grain.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Birch

Paul Mccobb Vintage Dresser for Calvin The Irwin Collection
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Mccobb vintage dresser for Calvin The Irwin Collection.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Shabby Chic Finish 5 Drawers Paul McCobb Dresser with Cone Pulls
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Super nice shabby chic finish five drawers Paul McCobb tall dresser bachelor chest.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Birch

Paul Mccobb Dresser or Sideboard for Calvin The Irwin Collection
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Mccobb dresser or sideboard for Calvin The Irwin Collection.
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Paul McCobb Planner Group Winchendon Lacquered Maple Modular Dresser Unit
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, 2 piece, lacquered black and white, modular, maple dresser unit by Paul McCobb Planner Group Winchendon features a 2-drawer dresser wi...
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Linear Group Chest of Drawers by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture
By Paul McCobb
Located in Deland, FL
Designed by Paul McCobb and manufactured by Calvin Furniture, this four-drawer dresser features aluminum accents and slender drawer pulls that emphasize its clean lines and beautiful...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Paul McCobb Designed Dresser w/ Rosewood Dovetail
By Lane Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Master designer Paul McCobb produced this dresser set for Lane Furniture, featuring warm walnut grain offset by inlay rosewood corners and polished chrome hardware. Made for Paul McC...
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Paul Mccobb dressers for sale on 1stDibs.

Paul McCobb dressers 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 dressers, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original dressers 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 dressers by George Nelson, Baker Furniture Company, and Herman Miller. Prices for Paul McCobb dressers can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,800 and can go as high as $12,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,500.
Questions About Paul McCobb Dressers
  • 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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