Planner Group Night Stands or End Tables by Paul McCobb for Winchendon
View Similar Items
Planner Group Night Stands or End Tables by Paul McCobb for Winchendon
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Planner Group (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 20 in (50.8 cm)Width: 19 in (48.26 cm)Depth: 26.4 in (67.06 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Light wear to the original pulls only. The relacquered wood is in pristine condition and has not been placed into use since refinishing.
- Seller Location:Littleton, CO
- Reference Number:Seller: Wahler - Model 15871stDibs: LU5401224816082
Paul McCobb
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.
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 Saarinen, 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 Planner Group furniture and other Paul McCobb furniture on 1stDibs.
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Model 1507-S Dresser and Mirror for WinchendonBy Winchendon, Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Littleton, COPaul McCobb’s Model 1507-S Planner Group 8-drawer dresser and companion mirror for Winchendon. USA, 1958. Extremely rare edition of the 1507-S dresser with special "shaped" handles...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMaple
- 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 - "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
- Dining or Desk Chair by Ernest Farmer for George Nelson and AssociatesBy George Nelson, Ernest Farmer, Herman MillerLocated in Littleton, COA rare birch dining or desk chair by Ernest Farmer of George Nelson and Associates for Herman Miller. Professional reupholstery available at pass-thro...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Birch
$660 Sale Price20% Off - Two-Seat Sling Sofa by Hannah Morrison for KnollBy Knoll, Bruce Hannah & Andrew MorrisonLocated 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 - Olo Chair by Andrew Jones for KeilhauerLocated in Littleton, COA molded-plastic update on the classic tub chair, the Olo Chair by Andrew Jones for Keilhauer is highly versatile. Ready for use as a side chair, or a confer...Category
Early 2000s Canadian Modern Chairs
MaterialsPlastic
- Pair of Ebonized Planner Group Side Tables by Paul McCobb for WinchendonBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Dorchester, MAPaul McCobb designed this pair of side tables, model 1540, for Winchendon's Planner Group. An ebonized maple case sits on angular tapered legs; its single wide drawer sports an alumi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Side Tables for WinchendonBy Paul McCobbLocated in San Francisco, CAPair 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...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsMaple
- Planner Group Side Tables by Paul McCobb for WinchendonBy Paul McCobbLocated in Dallas, TXPair of Planner Group series side tables designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. Tables are in excellent restored condition constructed with birch tops, iron, and reed.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsIron
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Nightstands, Newly RefinishedBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INA sleek and stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern single drawer nightstands or end tables. By Paul McCobb for Winchendon furniture, "Planner Group". USA, 1950s. Black lacquered...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Nightstands, Newly RefinishedBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INA sleek and stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern single drawer nightstands or end tables By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered so...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Paul McCobb End Tables for Winchendon, Planner Group SeriesBy Paul McCobbLocated in Berlin, DENice pair of blonde Paul McCobb Planner group side tables. A McCobb Classic. Very good original condition.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsMaple