Paul McCobb for Planner Group Six-Drawer Dresser
View Similar Items
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Six-Drawer Dresser
About the Item
- Creator:Planner Group (Maker),Paul McCobb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 38 in (96.52 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 18.25 in (46.36 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Houston, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU106063259402
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.
- Stunning Custom Contemporary Modern Sideboard with Gustav Klimt Style PaintingBy Reeves Design + Art, Gustav KlimtLocated in Houston, TXStunning custom contemporary modern sideboard with Gustav Klimt Style Painting. This handmade sideboard was custom made in Houston, Texas in collaboration ...Category
2010s American Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBirch
$5,437 Sale Price20% Off - Stunning Custom Contemporary Modern Sideboard with Frank Trocino PaintingBy Reeves Design + ArtLocated in Houston, TXStunning custom contemporary modern sideboard with light green toned abstract figurative painting. This handmade sideboard was custom mad...Category
2010s American Post-Modern Sideboards
MaterialsOak
$5,625 Sale Price25% Off - "Tail Feathers" Pink and Black Floral Accent ChairLocated in Houston, TXJoy, laughter, and the unexpected are at the heart of Annie Evelyn’s work. Employing a range of materials and processes (tessellating metal pieces to create soft upholstered seating or embedding fresh cut flowers to add aroma), Evelyn uses furniture...Category
2010s American Side Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
$1,537 Sale Price25% Off - Stunning Custom Scandinavian Modern Small Chest by Norm StoekerBy Norm StoekerLocated in Houston, TXStunning custom Scandinavian modern small chest by norm stoeker. The three exposed Egyptian blue drawers are made with master craftsmanship surrounded by ...Category
2010s American Night Stands
MaterialsMaple
$1,650 Sale Price25% Off - Custom Post Modern Brutalist Black and Natural Pyramid Stud SideboardBy Reeves Design + ArtLocated in Houston, TXBrutalist custom designed handmade contemporary sideboard with black studded doors and a grey stained case. The legs are smoothly turned, creating a clean and sleek appearance. One o...Category
2010s American Post-Modern Credenzas
MaterialsOak
$2,880 Sale Price40% Off - Custom Green Dyed French Armchair with Tropical Palm Tree UpholsteryBy Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in Houston, TXBeautiful Louis the XV style green dyed French armchair with custom pink tropical upholstery featuring a floral palm tree design.Category
20th Century French Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWood, Fabric
$1,350 Sale Price25% Off
- Pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple Six Drawer Double DressersBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Bainbridge, NYPair of Paul McCobb planner group maple & black six drawer dressers, 1950's. Featuring classic Paul McCobb modular design including four rectangula...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsEnamel
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Six-Drawer on Bench by WinchendonBy Paul McCobbLocated in Berlin, DESolid maple and aluminium ring pulls. The drawer is in good condition. Signed!Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsAluminum
- Pair of Paul McCobb Three-Drawer Planner Group Chest of Drawer DressersBy Paul McCobbLocated in Dallas, TXThese matching pair of solid maple three-drawer chests designed by Paul McCobb as part of his Planner Group. The handles are "T" bar metal pulls.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMetal
- Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 20 Drawer DresserBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 20 Drawer Dresser This lowboy measures: 72 wide x 18.5 deep x 33.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restore...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
- Paul McCobb Planner Group 20-Drawer Dresser or Credenza, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INA rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern 20-drawer long dresser or credenza By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch, with original brass ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Planner Group 20-Drawer Dresser or Credenza, Newly RestoredBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INA rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern 20-drawer long dresser or credenza designed by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group line for Winchendon Furniture. The credenza features solid ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass