Classic Paul McCobb Birch and Grasscloth Credenza
View Similar Items
Classic Paul McCobb Birch and Grasscloth Credenza
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Planner Group (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.5 in (85.09 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Hudson, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU87917911553
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 Sliding Door Credenza with Drawers, Classic ModernistBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Buffalo, NYFrom the Paul McCobb Modular Planner Group line of Winchendon Furniture. Solid maple cabinet holds three drawers on one side single drawer with adj...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsGrasscloth, Maple
- Paul McCobb Credenza by Winchendon Perimeter GroupBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis vintage Paul McCobb Perimeter Group credenza features double-sided cabinets, drawers for storage, and unique ebonized finish. Classic McCobb drawe...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
- Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Credenza/Media ConsoleBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Wilmington, DEMid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Credenza/Media Console Offered is a vintage credenza designed by Paul McCobb for Planner Group. Features sliding doors and adjustable shelving inside....Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMaple
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Credenza or Record CabinetBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern credenza, bar cabinet, or record cabinet By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid birch, w...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Paul Mccobb Credenza #7306-EBy Paul McCobbLocated in West Palm Beach, FLA Paul Mccobb Bi-fold door Credenza Original bleached Mahogany and Vitrolite glass top 16 drawers.Category
Vintage 1970s North American Credenzas
MaterialsMahogany
- Mid-Century Credenza by Paul McCobb Planner Group #1513 Blonde Doors MapleBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful mid-century low credenza cabinet with blonde maple sliding doors by Paul McCobb circa 1950 planner group #1513 has 2 adjustable shelves with pins - solid maple construction...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
$3,750 Sale Price25% Off