Rare Pair Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Shovel Chairs #1533 Maple Iron
View Similar Items
Rare Pair Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Shovel Chairs #1533 Maple Iron
About the Item
- Creator:Planner Group (Cabinetmaker),Paul McCobb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 34 in (86.36 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)Depth: 23 in (58.42 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 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:Wear consistent with age and use. All original condition - show signs of wear.
- Seller Location:BROOKLYN, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1793214316411
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.
- Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain Lounge Maple Arm ChairBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful all original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain arm chair. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vint...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMaple
- Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Dining Chairs Maple Spindle Back ChairsBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYAll original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group spindle back side chairs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vintage condition. Original blonde finish...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMaple
- Pair of Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain Lounge Maple Arm ChairsBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYPair of rare all original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain arm chairs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMaple
- Mid-Century Paul McCobb Planner Group Dining Chairs Maple Spindle Back ChairsBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYSet of 6 All original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group spindle back side chairs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vintage condition. Original blon...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMaple
- Midcentury Credenza Paul McCobb Planner Group #1514 Blonde MapleBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful midcentury tall credenza by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1514 has 1 adjustable shelves with pins with 1 drawer on the left side and 3 drawers on the right side. Solid maple construction with a Original Blonde Maple...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Extension Dining TableBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful 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 ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsMaple
$2,415 Sale Price30% Off
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple and Iron "Shovel" Side Chairs, Fully RestoredBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern "shovel" dining chairs or side chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid maple seats and ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple and Iron "Shovel" Dining Chairs, Fully RestoredBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional set of four Mid-Century Modern "shovel" dining chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid maple seats and back suppor...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple and Iron "Shovel" Dining Chairs, Fully RestoredBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional set of six Mid-Century Modern "shovel" dining chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid maple seats and back support...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple and Iron "Shovel" Side Chair, Fully RestoredBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern "shovel" dining chair, desk chair, or side chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid maple seat an...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Paul McCobb for Planner Group Winchendon Maple and Cane Dining Chairs, Set of 6By Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Planner Group Winchendon Maple and Cane dining chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 18 wide x 19 deep x 3...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Cane, Maple
- Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Iron & Maple Dining Chairs for Winchendon FurnitureBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Los Angeles, CAPaul McCobb "Planner Group" iron and maple dining chairs for Winchendon Furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsIron