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
Paul McCobb Gentlemans High Chest Dresser Calvin Furniture Irwin Collection Mint
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Paul McCobb Gentlemans high chest dresser Calvin Furniture Irwin Collection MINT
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Dressers
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Eight-Drawer Dresser Marble Top for Calvin Furniture, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Camden, ME
Paul McCobb eight-drawer walnut dresser is part of McCobb's Irwin line manufactured by Calvin Furniture of Grand Rapids during the 1950s.
The cabinet has 2 folding doors of three pa...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Dressers
Materials
Marble
$6,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Paul McCobb Three-Drawer Planner Group Chest of Drawer Dressers
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
These matching pair of solid maple three-drawer chests designed by Paul McCobb as part of his Planner Group. The handles are "T" bar metal pulls.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers
Materials
Metal
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
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 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 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 Dressers
Materials
Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Winchendon Lacquered Maple Modular Dresser Unit
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
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
Four-Drawer Walnut Dresser by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dorchester, MA
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
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 Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, 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 Planner Group Six-Drawer on Bench by Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Solid maple and aluminium ring pulls. The drawer is in good condition. Signed!
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers
Materials
Aluminum
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 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
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 for Calvin Dresser
By Paul McCobb, Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Dresser for Calvin, features a rich Mahogany veneer. Its bi-fold doors, mounted on piano hinges, open up to reveal four spacious drawers. Additionally, the dresser offers...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers
Materials
Mahogany
$4,800 Sale Price
20% Off
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
1950s McCobb Planner Group 4-Drawer Petite Dressers on Bench
By Paul McCobb
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Unrestored condition, procured from original owners. Scratches, Light Fading and patina on all surfaces. Pulls are straight and strong. Numbers on the drawers match both cabinet numb...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Dressers
Materials
Birch
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mahogany and Travertine Dresser with Dual Tri-Fold Doors
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
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
$5,200 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Paul McCobb for Calvin Concealed Mahogany Dresser
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
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
$3,150 Sale Price
25% Off
Solid Birch Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Credenza Long Dresser Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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
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 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.
Creators Similar to Paul McCobb
Questions About Paul McCobb Dressers
- 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, 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, 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, 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.