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.
Large Rectangle Walnut One Drawer Paul McCobb Coffee Table for Calvin 1960s Mint
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Large rectangle walnut one drawer Paul McCobb coffee table for Calvin 1960s MINT.
Brass
Paul Mccobb Maple Centre Table for Planner Group, circa 1965
By Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an iconic Planner Group table by Paul McCobb. This solid maple table has been professionally refinished.
Maple
Paul McCobb Square Center Birch Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern square center table with con tapered legs.
Birch
Beautifully Refinished Paul McCobb Planner Group Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful solid wood coffee table. From the Planner Group line designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture Company. Retains original manufacturer’s label and guaranteed authenti...
Maple
Osvaldo Borsani Blond Walnut Center Table, Coffee Table, Italy 1940s
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roma, IT
Marvellous round coffee table in a fantastic old walnut. This fantastic piece was design by Osvaldo Borsani in the 1940s in Italy. The coffee table, fully made in a gorgeous walnut,...
Wood, Glass, Walnut
Paul Frankl Black Stepped Coffee Table for Brown Saltman
By Paul Frankl
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Paul Frankl noted for his "skyscraper" designed furniture of the 1930s, took a different direction on this design for the Brown Saltman Company. This elegant round table has an inver...
Glass, Oak
Paul Evans Coffee Table
By Paul Evans
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Paul Evans coffee table signed and dated Measure: Base is 24" round.
Metal
$4,000
H 16 in Dm 36 in
Original Paul McCobb Planner Group Model 1580 Maple & Wrought Iron Coffee Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Vintage Paul McCobb Planner Group for Winchendon Model 1580 Maple & Iron Coffee Table. Featuring a professionally refinished sturdy, balanced and Black enameled Wrought Iron x fr...
Iron
Paul McCobb, Coffee Table, Maple, Iron, USA, 1950s
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered iron and maple coffee table designed by Paul McCobb and produced by Planner Group, USA, c. 1950s.
Iron
$4,436
H 19.3 in Dm 47.05 in
Poul Cadovius Rosewood Coffee Table Designed For France & Son Circular 1960s
By Cado, Poul Cadovius
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Poul Cadovius Beautiful Rosewood Coffee Table Designed For France & Son Circular Top Inlaid With Brushed Chrome Floral Decoration Made In Denmark 1960's Poul Cadovius (1911 - 2011) was one of the most colourful and successful persons in the history of Danish furniture industry. He was originally educated as an upholsterer but became very interested in design at an early stage, and in 1945 he established his own furniture manufacturing company Royal System. A few years later, in 1948, he designed the iconic shelving system ROYAL...
Steel
$4,500
H 15.75 in W 36 in D 36 in
Paul Evans Patchwork Brutalist Center, Coffee or Cocktail Table for Directional
By Paul Evans
Located in Plainview, NY
Mid-Century Modern iconic patchwork design table by Paul Evans (American 1931-1987). The modern brutalist table base is made of welded and patinat...
Bronze, Copper, Steel
$5,081Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.36 in W 48.04 in D 29.93 in
Split Reed Rattan Bamboo Octagonal Large Coffee Table, Italy 1960s
By Paul Frankl
Located in Barcelona, ES
Extra Large Split Reed / Pencil Reed Large Coffee Table, Italy, 1960-1970. Amazing split bamboo low table made in the manner of Paul Frankl. This eye-catching octagonal coffee table is all covered with split bamboo reed thorought. It has a beutiful design with cut shaped corners and a thick construction on the four legs. It has been carefully cleaned and restored. Structurally strong and sound. Minor wear commensurate with age. To complete the scene: The Bitossi Aldo Londi ceramic bowls show at the images are avaliable at our 1stdibs marketplace. Measures: 122 cm W x 76 cm D x 39 cm H // 48,03 in W x 29,92 in D x 15,35 in H Midcentury Pencil Reed Coffee Table // Bamboo Split Reed Table...
Cane, Rattan, Reed
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
H 15 in W 60 in D 18.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Low Profile Coffee Table by Paul McCobb for Planner Group
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous mid-century modern low profile coffee table by Paul Mc Cobb for The Planner Group, original finish in light walnut stain the table its i...
Maple
McCobb for Winchendon Planner Group Nesting Tables c 1950's
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in New York, NY
Rare set of nesting tables designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture. The rectangular tables nest, for easy storage and display. Both tables are selling in as is, as found condition, both show significant cosmetic wear, and will need to be refinished, the smaller table is missing the screw in end cap feet, please see images. Although the tables need some restoration, they are an unusual and hard to find form, and will clean up nicely as the tops are solid wood, and the wrought iron frames can easily be repainted. Larger Table 36 W x 18.5 D x 20 H inches Smaller Table 24...
Wrought Iron
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mahogany Nightstand End Tables, Pair
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Stamford, CT
At a Glance: - Delicate scale and easy to use in multiple spaces. Paul McCobb was known for this. - Ample storage in a small overall form. - Finished all-around, are also meant to d...
Metal
Mid-Century Paul McCobb Coffee Table for Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Antonio, TX
Stunning Mid-Century Modern coffee table designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin. This Classic design with stunning lines features a brass frame with natural patina, three mahogany drawer...
Marble, Brass
Paul McCobb Ebonized Dining Table for Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in Stamford, CT
A ebonized dining table with brass stretchers. The table has two leafs and has been recently ebonized and finished in a matte charcoal finish. The stretcher is polished brass. Produc...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.5 in W 103 in D 48 in
Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Paul McCobb Serving / Dining Table 5 Leaves
By Paul McCobb
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern black lacquered Paul McCobb serving / dining table with 5 leaves. This stunningly finished dining, center, card or serving table would turn...
Bronze
Modern Paul McCobb Black Rectangular Coffee Table with Tapered Legs
By Paul McCobb
Located in Houston, TX
Modern and low rectangular coffee table in a lovely black finish by Paul McCobb.
Modern Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple Rectangular Dining Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Houston, TX
Modern Paul McCobb for Planner Group (?) rectangular dining table made from lovely maple wood.
Maple
Paul McCobb Occasional Table
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Carpathian elm burl veneer wood inlaid surface with walnut spindled base. Diameter of table base is 16.5" Stamped and signed on underside.
Elm, Walnut
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Long Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice mid century modern coffee table by Paul McCobb.
Iron
Paul McCobb Brass and Marble Coffee Table for Calvin Co.
By Paul McCobb
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Paul McCobb Brass and Marble Coffee Table for Calvin Co. Brass is in original vintage condition with wear (pictured). Marble top had slight chipping around edges that has been pro...
Marble, Brass
Mid Century Modern Ebonised Birch Coffee Table by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice mid century modern coffee table by Paul McCobb
Modernist Brass and Milk Glass Coffee Table by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Modernist Brass and Milk Glass Coffee Table, designed by Paul McCobb for Directional, American, circa 1950's. Clean lined, architectural design. It has a white color milk glass top a...
Brass