Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser for Winchendon
View Similar Items
Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser for Winchendon
About the Item
- Creator:Planner Group (Manufacturer),Paul McCobb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.25 in (84.46 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Wood,Lacquered
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very solid. No structural issues. Expert professional refinishing available at pass-through cost.
- Seller Location:Littleton, CO
- Reference Number:Seller: May1stDibs: LU5401225408512
Paul McCobb
You could call Paul McCobb a man of parts. As a furniture designer, his work combined the attributes of many of his now better-known peers. Like 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 beside 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 also designed cohesive lines of furnishings, such as his best-known Planner Group, that gave homes an instant “look.” McCobb designed for several companies, most notably Directional, the New York firm that also produced designs by other legends, such as Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan.
The signal aesthetic attribute of McCobb designs is that he completely forsook ornament — his pieces have no flourishes. And yet, because they are honest — the chairs, desks and 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 — McCobb’s mid-century modern work has warmth and presence.
As you can see from the offerings on 1stDibs, vintage Paul McCobb designs are the pin-striped suit, or the little black dress, of a décor: an essential.
Planner Group
Brilliant self-trained American designer Paul McCobb collaborated with New York salesman B.G. Mesberg to create what is now a widely revered collection of mid-century modern furniture called the Planner Group. Produced by renowned manufacturer Winchendon Furniture Company, vintage Planner Group dressers, credenzas, chairs and other pieces bring honesty and heritage into any interior.
More than any other designer beside Russel Wright, the Massachusetts-born 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. Of McCobb’s cohesive lines of furnishings, his best-known Planner Group gave homes an instant “look.” McCobb designed for several companies, most notably Directional, the New York firm he cofounded with Mesberg that also produced designs by other legends such as Paul Evans and Vladimir Kagan.
Known for their superior quality and affordable prices aimed at new homeowners, vintage Winchendon case furniture, side tables and desks were must-have staples for middle-class Americans in the postwar years. McCobb and Mesberg’s Planner Group for the manufacturer boasts a wide range of furnishings created in woods such as walnut and maple.
McCobb drew on the simplicity of Shaker furniture and Windsor chairs and was an advocate for modular furniture. A new homeowner could plan for properly furnishing each room with the Planner collection — a brochure touted its versatility — beginning with a couple of pieces from the series and gradually introducing more seating, cabinets and tables, stacking and combining as needed.
McCobb shared the limelight with the likes of celebrated American designers Charles and Ray Eames and was supposed to appear in a 1961 issue of Playboy magazine — a mid-century tastemaker of sorts — alongside other designers such as Eero Saarienen, Harry Bertoia, Jens Risom and Edward Wormley. A social and charismatic figure, McCobb can be found in photos from a party that took place the night before, but he was too hungover the next day to join the photo shoot.
For more than a decade beginning in 1950, the Planner designs comprised the best-selling furniture suite in the United States.
Find vintage pieces from Paul McCobb’s Planner Group series on 1stDibs.
- Bill Curry for Laurel Floor LampBy Laurel Lamp Company, Bill CurryLocated in Littleton, COAn elegant floor lamp with a classic tulip base by Bill Curry for Laruel Lamp Company. Gold chrome with a Fenchel 18" white linen shade. Weighted base is 10" in diameter.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Floor Lamps
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
$650 Sale Price33% Off - T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Magazine Table for WiddicombBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in Littleton, COA recently and handsomely refinished magazine table by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Furniture Co. in mahogany. A table top for a lamp, drinks and decorative items floats a...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWood
$1,195 Sale Price44% Off - Alvino Bagni Lamps for Bagni Ceramiche, Italy 1960sBy Alvino Bagni, Raymor, Bagni CeramicheLocated in Littleton, COA gorgeous pair of mid-century Italian ceramic lamps by Alvino Bagni for Bagni Ceramiche, imported to the U.S. by Raymor. Brilliant reds, greens, yellows and black on a sand ivory pa...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
$2,000 Sale Price / set46% Off - Aldo Londi for Bitossi Rimini Blu Wide-Mouthed VaseBy Bitossi, Aldo LondiLocated in Littleton, COA wide-mouthed terracotta ceramic vase designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi in Italy during the late 1950s or early 1960s. Handcrafted in Italy with hand-stamped spectacular geometric...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic, Terracotta
- Two-Seat Sling Sofa by Hannah Morrison for KnollBy Bruce Hannah & Andrew Morrison, KnollLocated in Littleton, COTwo-seat sling sofa by Bruce Hannah and Andrew Morrison for Knoll in vibrant 1970s red orange faux leather. The steel frame has been freshly powder-coated in July 2022 and bears no ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Loveseats
MaterialsSteel
$1,500 Sale Price33% Off - "Lulu" Cradle or Bassinet by Nanna Ditzel for E. Johansen Møbler ASBy Nanna DitzelLocated in Littleton, COThe "Lulu" cradle was designed in 1963 by Nanna Ditzel for her daughter. The cradle was then passed on for generations in that family. Each time a baby was born, a small label was ad...Category
Late 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Children's Furniture
MaterialsBeech
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser for WinchendonBy Paul McCobbLocated in San Francisco, CAPaul McCobb design six drawer dresser for his Planner Group series for Winchendon Furniture Company. Made from solid maple wood that has been professionally lacquered in a light Pist...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser for WinchendonBy Paul McCobbLocated in San Francisco, CAPaul McCobb design dresser for his debut Planner Group series for Winchendon, Mass. High quality construction using solid maple wood featuring eight drawers with aluminum o-ring pull...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMaple
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser for WinchendonBy Paul McCobbLocated in San Francisco, CAPaul 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
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMaple
- Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Dresser for Winchendon FurnitureBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Los Angeles, CAPaul McCobb "Planner Group" dresser for winchendon furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsSteel
- Paul McCobb for Planner Group Winchendon Modular Ebonized Maple DresserBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, modular dresser system by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon features two 24 x 18 x 8.5 inch dressers with signature aluminu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsAluminum
- Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Dresser with Steel Base for Winchendon FurnitureBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Los Angeles, CAThe Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Dresser with Iron Base for Winchendon Furniture is a timeless and iconic piece of mid-century modern design. Created by renowned American designer Pau...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsSteel