Paul McCobb Shelves
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
Mid Century Paul McCobb Calvin Irwin Collection Shelf Bookshelf Room Divider
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Rare Mid Century sideboard, shelf unit, room divider, designed by Paul McCobb as part of the sought after Irwin Collection series for Calvin, circa 1950’s.
This example features ble...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Shelves
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb for Calvin Two Piece Etagere / Room Divider Circa 1960s
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Peabody, MA
A two-piece etagere by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture, circa 1960s, in walnut with brushed aluminum framework and hardware. Can also serve as a room divider if desired.
Base meas...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
Paul McCobb Vanity for Bryce, US, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Paul McCobb vanity for Bryce, US, 1950s
This rare McCobb iron vanity fits on every dresser in your bedroom.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Shelves
Materials
Iron
1960s Paul McCobb Planner Group Bookcase
By Planner Group, Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Paul McCobb for Winchendon, Planner Group bookcase, USA, 1950s, maple, wrought iron.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Shelves
Materials
Iron
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 Shelves
Materials
Birch
Paul McCobb for Bryce Wall Shelf in Wood and Metal, USA - 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Bryce Originals
Located in Berlin, DE
Paul McCobb for Bryce Wall Shelf in Wood and Metal, USA - 1950s. Wall-mounted floating console with wooden drawer and black metal frame. Shelves are covered with white Vitrolite glas...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Shelves
Materials
Metal
Paul McCobb Planner Group Attributed Etagere in White Iron and Light Maple
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Charleston, SC
A two piece satin white iron and light toned maple wood bookcase / etagere designed by Mid Century icon Paul McCobb . Sitting on a matching bench styled platform manufactured by the ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Shelves
Materials
Iron
Paul McCobb 'Cache Desk Organiser' Wood and Steel by Karakter
By Paul McCobb
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Storage unit designed by Paul McCobb in 1952.
The foundation of the Cache series, part of Paul McCobb’s extensive Planner series, is a beautifully simplistic and easy table with ...
Category
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Shelves
Materials
Steel
'Cache Desk Organiser' Wood and Steel by Paul McCobb for Karakter
By Paul McCobb
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
'Cache Desk Organiser' Wood and Steel by Paul McCobb for Karakter
Storage unit designed by Paul McCobb in 1952.
The foundation of the Cache series, p...
Category
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Shelves
Materials
Steel
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Pair of Midcentury Paul McCobb Single Bookshelves #1516 Walnut Finish
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
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Pair Mid century Paul McCobb Triple Bookshelves #1516 Walnut Finish Iron Base
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H 81 in W 36 in D 12 in
Pair Mid century Paul McCobb Double Bookshelves #1516 Walnut Finish Iron Base
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Pair of vintage midcentury Paul McCobb Double high bookcases bookshelves #1516 original walnut finish over solid maple with solid Iron 4 leg Iron base. Beautiful bookcase set by Paul...
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Paul Mccobb shelves for sale on 1stDibs.
Paul McCobb shelves 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 shelves, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 9 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 2 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original shelves 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 shelves by Arthur Umanoff, Frederic Weinberg, and George Nelson. Prices for Paul McCobb shelves can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $555 and can go as high as $7,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,250.
Creators Similar to Paul McCobb
Questions About Paul McCobb Shelves
- 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.