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.
$9,500 / set
Paul McCobb for Calvin Dining Set
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin Dining Set, Features Six Dining Chairs, Two Arm Chairs, and Four Side Chairs, a Rectangular Table in mahogany veneer original medium tone with a solid brass st...
Brass
Dining Room Set by Paul McCobb, Irwin Collection, Circa 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Westport, CT
Elevate your dining experience with our exquisite seven-piece dining set, a vintage masterpiece designed by the renowned Paul McCobb for The Calvin Group, dating back to the illustri...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Dinette Set, Classic Modern.. Great "smaller" Size
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful little set...Mid-Century Modern square dining or game table with four chairs designed by Paul McCobb / Planner Group line for Winchendon Furniture. The table and chairs ret...
Birch
Paul McCobb for Calvin Dining Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Mid Century Dining Table, designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture's Directional Line, American, circa 1960s. The table expands from a 48" round to a 68" width oval with ...
Metal
Paul McCobb Dining Table in Your Color Choice
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paul McCobb dining table for Calvin, American, circa 1950s. Elegant design with brass stretcher. This table is currently being refinished and can be completed in your choice of color...
Metal, Brass
Paul McCobb Iron Dining Set Pavilion Collection for Arbuck Indoor or Outdoor
By Arbuck, Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Architectural Design Iron Dining Set, designed by Paul McCobb for Arbuck, American, circa 1950s. It is a versatile set and can be used indoors or outdoors. The set consists of t...
Iron
Paul McCobb Planner Group Dining Suite for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Exquisite Planner Group dining table and four 'bowtie' chairs in black lacquer by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. The dining table features long splayed and tapered legs joined by elegan...
Wood
Rare Dining Room Set by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture, USA, c. 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing the exquisite vintage expanding dining table from the renowned designer Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. This timeless set, part of the lauded Irwin Collection, showcase...
Mahogany
Vintage Dining Room Set by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Introducing a stunning Mid-Century dining room set from the renowned Irwin Collection by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. This exceptional set features six dining chairs, two of whi...
Brass
$6,800 / set
Mid-Century Paul McCobb Calvin Group Dining Set
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage dining set features the unique Mid-Century design of Paul McCobb produced for the Calvin group. Stylish aluminum trim contrasts with the rich walnut finish of this expan...
Fabric, Walnut
$1,400
H 29.52 in W 31.5 in D 59 in
New Garden, Patio or Dining Table in Wrought Iron. Indoor & Outdoor
Located in Miami, FL
New garden, patio or dining table in wrought iron. You can choose this pattern in round or rectangular table and then, choose the top (glass, mosaic, marble, ceramic...) and color...
Wrought Iron
$2,795
H 28 in W 52.25 in D 22.25 in
Paul McCobb Vanity Table for Calvin, Irwin Collection, Circa 1950s
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Peabody, MA
A mid-century modern vanity table in Honduran mahogany by Paul McCobb, for Calvin Furniture, Irwin Collection, circa late 1950s.
Mirror, Mahogany
$2,595
H 22.25 in W 20 in D 30 in
Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb “Irwin Collection” Marble & Brass Side Table
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb "Irwin Collection" marble & brass side table for Calvin Furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is ...
Marble, Brass
Paul McCobb Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Excellent wood table by Paul McCobb. Good vintage condition and coloring. Excellent lines and design. Can be used as a dining table or conference table.
Wood
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Brass and Travertine Sofa Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
Console designed by Paul McCobb for Directional. Constructed of brass with travertine top. Excellent condition.
Travertine, Brass
$3,235
H 29 in W 90.25 in D 40 in
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Table, Newly Restored
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut extension drop-leaf dining table designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. The table features stunning walnut wood grain and aluminum str...
Aluminum
$6,562Sale Price|25% Off
H 16.25 in W 66 in D 32 in
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Brass and Travertine Coffee Table- Calvin Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid Century Modern's star Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Brass and Travertine Coffee Table for Calvin Furniture Original Paul McCobb walnut and brass plateau table model 8705-L with t...
Travertine, Marble, Brass
Classic Modern Paul McCobb Extension Dining Table / 42"round - 72" oval
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Modernist Extension Dining Table designed by Paul McCobb ,,, part or the "Planner Group", Wonderful figured walnut, Very versatile,Measures 42" round .Comes with two 15" le...
Walnut
$2,070Sale Price|40% Off
H 29 in W 36 in D 54 in
Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Extension Dining Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful early 1950s Paul McCobb solid maple extention dining table on 4 squared tapered legs. Stunning solid maple tabletop with a slight taper on each end that has a tobacco semi ...
Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron and Reed Side Table
By Winchendon, Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in New Windsor, NY
Planner Group side table designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. Circa 1955. Featuring a birch top, iron frame and split reed lower shelf. Good overall honest wear and overall condit...
Iron
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Walnut and Brass Dining Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Stamford, CT
A Walnut and brass drop-leaf dining table with four individual leaves. Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection - H. Sachs & Sons. Signed. Four leaves are each 11" wide. Table is 91.5"...
Brass
Pair of Rare Paul McCobb Nightstands for Planner Group
By Planner Group, Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of highly desirable and rare Paul McCobb nightstands from his Planner Group collection for Winchendon, c.1950s. The pair features an exposed wrought iron frame, single maple dra...
Iron
Paul McCobb Dining Chairs Set of Six Refinished & Reupholstered
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of Six Mid Century Dining Chairs, designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture's Directional Line, American, circa 1950s. These chairs are currently being refinished and reuphols...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 35.75 in W 22.75 in D 22.5 in
1950s Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Mahogany Dining Set - 9 Pieces
By Paul McCobb
Located in Monrovia, CA
Paul McCobb "Connoisseur Collection" designed by Paul McCobb. "Connoisseur collection" mahogany dining table and dining chairs for H. Sacks & sons, Brookline MA, USA 1950s sleek mid ...
Brass
Rare Paul McCobb Blonde Planner Group Extension Table with Six Chairs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Ferndale, MI
Paul McCobb designed dining table with six matching dining chairs from the Planner group series for Winchendon Furniture. Estate fresh and fine original condition. Table top shows ve...
Maple
Paul McCobb Black Lacquer and Brass Dining Set, Fully Restored
By Paul McCobb, H Sacks & Sons, Directional
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and outstanding Mid-Century Modern dining set By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection", with chairs from McCobb's "Irwin Collection" for Directional ...
Brass
Paul McCobb Maple Dining Room Set/ Table, 2 Leaves and 6 Chairs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture Company, dining room set. Bought from the Original owners and newly refinished. 1 Captain's chair, measuring 22" wide. 32" high, 21" deep. 3 of t...
Maple
Sold
H 31.25 in W 19.25 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb Black Lacquered Extension Dining Table with 10 Chairs, Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Directional, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional and very versatile Mid-Century Modern extension dining table with a set of ten spindle back chairs By Paul McCobb The table is from the "Irwin Collection" produc...
Brass
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Mid-Century Modern Dining Set, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Directional, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A very rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern dining table and eight chairs By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s B...
Aluminum
Paul McCobb Midcentury Planner Group Dining Set
By Paul McCobb
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A five-piece Paul McCobb dining set including all solid maple drop-leaf table and four matching T-Back dining chairs with conical legs model # 1...
Maple
Paul McCobb X-Base Dining Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Paul McCobb X-base modern dining table, American, circa 1950s. This table has been refinished in an ultra-deep brown lacquer. This table does not have any leaves.
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 29.5 in W 16.88 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Dining Set, Newly Restored
By Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern seven-piece dining set including drop-leaf harvest table and six spindle back dining chairs Designed by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group...
Birch
Paul McCobb Dining Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined midcentury dining chairs, designed by Paul McCobb, American, circa 1950s. We have 12 of these chairs available. You can buy just one or all twelve, as they are priced ind...
Brass
Set of Six Dining Chairs Designed by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Set of six dining chairs, designed by Paul McCobb for Directional, circa 1950s. This set has been completely restored in an ultra-deep brown lacquer with ivory bouclé upholstery. The...
Upholstery, Wood