Pair of Paul McCobb for Planner Group Ebony Chests
View Similar Items
Pair of Paul McCobb for Planner Group Ebony Chests
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Planner Group (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.5 in (85.09 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Stockton, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2689316385892
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.
- Pair of Milo Baughman Jewelry ChestsBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Stockton, NJA pair of Milo Baughman burlwood jewelry chests or side tables. Wonderful patina to brass legs and hardware with a light stain on wood. Similar patina...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
$5,500 / set - Pair of Erik Hoglund for Boda Glass CandlesticksBy Kosta Boda, Erik HöglundLocated in Stockton, NJA rare pair of double tier glass and black painted metal candlesticks by Erik Hoglund for Boda. Consisting of two tiers of blue and clear glass.Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Candlesticks
MaterialsMetal
- Pair of 657 Armchair by Charles Pollock for KnollBy Knoll, Charles PollockLocated in Stockton, NJA pair of early 657 armchairs by Charles Pollock for Knoll. This 1970's pair features chromed steel and wood frames with black leather seat and cushion. O...Category
Vintage 1970s American Armchairs
MaterialsSteel
- Set of 4 Bill Stephens for Knoll ArmchairsBy Knoll, Bill StephensLocated in Stockton, NJA set of four Bill Stephens for knoll armchairs in dark stained bentwood oak frames. Ready for reupholstery.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsOak, Upholstery
$295 / item - Pair of Vintage Oak LanternsLocated in Stockton, NJA pair of vintage oak planters with glass panels and steel tops with handles. Great scale and presence.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lanterns
MaterialsSteel
$895 / set - Pair of Midcentury Ceramic Table LampsLocated in Stockton, NJA pair of tall midcentury table lamps. Consisting of two gourd shaped spheres, one crackled and the other smooth. Shown with original tall ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCeramic
$1,100 / set
- Pair of Modern Chests by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, USA, Circa 1950sBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Norwalk, CTAn iconic pair of McCobb chests, manufacturers by Planner Group circa 1950s. Distinctive modern legs. Original solid brass custom pulls. This pair has b...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMaple
- Nicely Refinished Paul McCobb for Winchedon Planner Group Blond Chest of DrawersBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Ferndale, MINicely refinished McCobb for Winchendon blonde maple chest of drawers with aluminum ring pulls . Early branded mark inside drawer.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
$2,500 Sale Price24% Off - Pair of Paul McCobb 1503 Planner Group Maple & Black Two Drawer ChestsBy Winchendon, Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Bainbridge, NYPair of Paul McCobb Planner Group by Winchendon maple nightstands, cabinets, chests, end tables, 1950's. Featuring Model 1503 ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsMaple
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Bachelor Chest, Newly RefinishedBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern three-drawer bachelor chest or bedside chest By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid birch, wit...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group Chest of Drawers DresserBy Paul McCobbLocated in Berlin, DENice aluminum ring pull version in solid maple on this matching pair of Paul McCobb drawer for Winchendon from the famous Planner Group Series.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
$4,760 Sale Price / set20% Off - Planner Group Three-Drawer Chest on Low Table by Paul McCobb for WinchendonBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Dorchester, MADesigned by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture's Planner Group line, this chest comprises a three-drawer maple case piece that sits atop a low detached maple table that could also ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum