Two-Tone "Shovel Chair" by Paul McCobb
View Similar Items
Two-Tone "Shovel Chair" by Paul McCobb
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Planner Group (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 34 in (86.36 cm)Width: 18 in (45.72 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1953
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good original condition with age appropriate patina.
- Seller Location:Dallas, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU272938259513
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 Shovel ChairBy Paul McCobbLocated in Dallas, TXVintage Paul McCobb shovel chair, model #1533, from his Planner Group for Winchendon Furniture, 1950. Solid maple seat and back with iron frame. Go...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsIron
$1,450 - Paul McCobb Shovel Chair for WichendonBy Paul McCobbLocated in San Francisco, CAPaul McCobb design "Shovel" side chair model 1533 for Winchendon, Mass. A iconic and innovative chair in good original condition wood, metal frame shows wear and tear to finish but s...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsSteel
- Vintage Paul McCobb Two-Toned Planner Chairs, PAIRBy Paul McCobbLocated in East Hampton, NYThis is a pair of two-toned, white and brown stained wood, Planner chairs designed by Paul McCobb. There is a second pair of McCobb chairs in similar two-tone that would complement b...Category
Vintage 1950s American Chairs
MaterialsMaple
$1,400 Sale Price / set28% Off - Vintage Paul McCobb Two-Tone Planner Chairs, PAIRBy Paul McCobbLocated in East Hampton, NYBeautifully lacquered in two tones, white and natural wood in brown stain. We have a second similar pair of McCobb chairs that can make a lovely set of ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Chairs
MaterialsMaple
$1,400 Sale Price / set28% Off - Set of 4 Paul McCobb Shovel Chairs for Winchendon, 1950s USABy Paul McCobbLocated in Berlin, DESet of 4 Paul McCobb Planner Group Shovel chairs in Maple for Winchendon, USA 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Spindle Back Planner Group Chair by Paul McCobb for Winchendon, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in La Teste De Buch, FRMaple spindle back dining chair from the Planner Group series designed by Paul McCobb and manufactured by Winchendon, Massachusetts. Very good condition with a fantastic patina.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMaple