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.
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Extension Dinette Table, Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern extension dinette table or game table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple construction, wi...
Maple, Lacquer
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Games Table and Chairs
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Paul McCobb Connoisseur collection games table and four matching side chairs. Classic Mid-Century Modern games table with inlaid mahogany diamond ...
Brass
Paul McCobb Carrara Top Game Table From the Linear Group for Directional 1957
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
Uncommonly seen Carrara top game table from the Linear Group designed by Paul McCobb for Directional in 1957. The McCobb Linear Group was selected as part of the Alcoa Forecast...
Carrara Marble, Aluminum
Paul McCobb Planner Group Side Tables for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of Paul McCobb design Planner Group side tables for Winchendon Furniture. Original matched pair in solid maple with brass cone shape pulls, labeled and in very good original con...
Maple
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
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
Mid Century Leather Top Game Table
By Theodore Alexander
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern leather top square game table. The gilt-tooled leather top is ready for play, with pivoting hinged drawers on the fr...
Leather, Wood
Paul Sormani '1817-1866', Louis XVI Games Table
By Paul Sormani
Located in BARSAC, FR
Paul Sormani (1817-1866) Very elegant mahogany and mahogany veneer games table with a so-called "mouchoir" opening. Square in shape, four legs covered with gilt brass fluting and ha...
Mahogany
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
Parsons Style Vanucci Games Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Vintage Games Table with rich mixed wood veneers and inlaid Chrome accents. . On four angle cut legs, the square top with four drawers, one on ea...
Metal, Other
1950's Paul McCobb Planner Group Desk & Chair Set
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Southampton, NJ
A striking Paul McCobb four drawer desk and matching chair set with white laminate top. All original 1950's from the Planner Group series, this scarcely seen set with original tag ha...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron and Reed Side Table
By Planner Group, Winchendon, 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
$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
$22,742
H 28.94 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Jacques Grange Game Table from the Estate of Yves Saint Laurent
By Jacques Grange
Located in Soho, London, GB
Game table in Cerused oak by Jacques Grange designed for Yves Saint Laurent's studio in Avenue de Breteuil. The table top has one side in felt and one side in Cerused oak. Original...
Felt, Oak
Pair of Rare Paul McCobb Nightstands for Planner Group
By Winchendon, Planner Group, 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
Sold
H 29.5 in W 34.25 in D 34.25 in
Paul McCobb Game / Dining Table for H. Sacks & Sons Connoisseur Collection
By Paul McCobb
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted Honduran mahogany wood game table with folding extension top making a dining or larger table . The legs are in a dark contrasting mahogany with brushed brass cros...
Brass
Sold
H 29.13 in W 68.5 in D 34.25 in
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Black Lacquer and Brass Flip Top Dining Table
By H Sacks & Sons, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern flip top extension dining table or game table By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection" USA, 1950s Black lacquer...
Brass
Paul McCobb "Connoisseur Collection" Chess Table and Chairs, C. 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Westport, CT
A rarely seen chess set designed by the Iconic Paul McCobb, circa 1950-1959. What makes the find even more special is the two matching chairs. Executed in mahogany and rosewood, comp...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Extension Dinette Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern solid maple extension dinette table or game table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 40.25"...
Maple
Sold
H 29.25 in W 32 in D 32 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Dining or Game Table, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern game table or dining table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid birch. Measures: 32...
Birch, Lacquer
Paul McCobb Small Dining / Game Table for Planner Group
By Paul McCobb
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A satin black topped small dining or game table with maple legs giving the piece a floating feature designed by Paul McCobb and manufactured by the Winchendon Furniture company for t...
Maple
Sold
H 28.75 in W 58.5 in D 30 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Extension Dinette Table, Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish mid-century modern extension dinette table or game table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple construction, wit...
Maple, Lacquer
Connoisseur Collection Chess Table by Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons
By Paul McCobb, H Sacks & Sons
Located in Littleton, CO
A 'Connoisseur Collection' mahogany and rosewood chess table by Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons with solid brass trim and leg stabilizer. A slide-open, felt-lined storage compartment contains removable dividers. A brass plate in the storage compartment reads 'Marlboro Manor...
Brass
Sold
H 29.13 in W 32 in D 32 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Ebonized Dining or Game Table, Newly Restored
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern square dinette or game table designed by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group line for Winchendon Furniture. The table features a gorgeous ebonized fin...
Maple
Sold
H 28 in W 36 in L 28 in
MCM Game / Card Table "The Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection" Fully Refinished
By Paul McCobb
Located in Manhasset, NY
A fine Mid-Century Modern card game table "The Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection" fully French hand polished refinished in our state of the art workshops. This finely crafted table ...
Paul McCobb Game Table with Brass Details and Inlay Top
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Paul McCobb game table for Sa is & Sons furniture company. Philippine mahogany with brass trimmed top, tapered legs with brass cross stretcher. The r...
Paul McCobb Games Table, Connoisseur Collection
By Paul McCobb
Located in Westport, CT
Games table designed by Paul McCobb featuring brass trim on top as well as brass stretcher. Top also features diamond shaped inlaid rosewood. Newly refinished in natural, brass newly...
Brass