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.
H 29 in W 48 in D 24 in
Paul McCobb Maple Planner Group Desk #1560
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
A classic example of American mid-century design, this maple student desk was designed by Paul McCobb as part of his celebrated Planner Group collection for Winchendon Furniture. Int...
Maple
H 29 in W 48 in D 18.25 in
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Tobacco Desk
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Tobacco Desk This desk measures: 48 wide x 18.25 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 23.5 inches Good Vintage Condition - Desk has M...
Wood
H 29 in W 53 in D 26 in
Planner Group Double Pedestal Desk by Paul McCobb for Winchendon for Refinishing
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Planner Group #1561 Double Pedestal Desk with (5) drawers and (1) pull-out writing surface by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture Company, Winchendon Mass. * In need of Refinishin...
Maple
H 29.5 in W 48 in D 24 in
MCM Maple Student Desk #1560 Planner Group for Winchendon by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Topeka, KS
Fantastic vintage MCM (Mid-Century Modern) maple student desk #1560 Planner Group for Winchendon designed by Paul McCobb. This piece has been attributed based upon archived research ...
Brass
H 33 in W 36 in D 18.02 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Solid Birch Dresser, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in South Bend, IN
An iconic Mid-Century Modern three-drawer dresser or chest of drawers By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch, with original brass hardware...
Brass
H 29 in W 53 in D 26 in
Paul McCobb for Winchendon Mid Century Maple Double Pedestal Desk with T Pulls
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Winchendon Mid Century Maple Double Pedestal Desk with T Pulls This desk measures: 53 wide x 26 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 28.25 inches Good Vintage ...
Maple
H 33.25 in W 48 in D 18.25 in
Paul McCobb Maple Double Dresser Planner Group by Winchendon Furniture, 1950s
By Planner Group, Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern vintage six-drawer dresser model no. 1509 designed by Paul McCobb for his modular Planner Group line made by Winchendon Furniture in the 1950s. The cabinet can be ...
Aluminum
H 33 in W 60 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Credenza in Solid Maple, Circa 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in San Diego, CA
A highly functional example of American mid-century modern design, this Paul McCobb Planner Group credenza is constructed in solid maple. Designed by Paul McCobb for the Winchendon F...
Wood, Birch
H 30 in W 57 in D 25 in
Ebonized Mahogany Desk by Paul McCobb, Connoisseur Collection, C. 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Westport, CT
Ebonized Mahogany Desk from Paul McCobb's Connoisseur Collection, meticulously restored by Stamford Modern. Crafted in the 1950s, this mid-century icon boasts minimalistic lines and ...
Brass
H 33.25 in W 48 in D 18.25 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Birch Six-Drawer Dresser, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An iconic Mid-Century Modern six-drawer dresser or credenza By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch, with brass hardware. Measures: 48"W x...
Brass
1950s Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lafayette, IN
Grand style and grand scale combine in this wonderful executive desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Desk features walnut construction, brass and mahogany pulls, and the renowned Dunba...
Brass
Rare 1950s Mid-Century Modern Art Deco Inspired Walnut Rounded Top Desk
Located in Lafayette, IN
Stunning 1950s desk by the Shelbyville Desk Company of Indiana. Desk features a 66" rounded-end top, walnut veneer and wonderful Art Deco hardware. T...
Walnut
Rare Mid-Century Modern Walnut Push-Button Executive Desk by SLS Environetics
By Lehigh Leopold
Located in Lafayette, IN
This ultra-rare and ultra-cool desk features a black steel frame, walnut veneer cabinet and brushed-aluminum legs with rosewood inlay. The contrasting woods, aluminum accents and minimalist, mid-century lines, make this desk is the epitome of 70's chic! However, what makes this desk truly remarkable is its parlor trick... Cable-actuated, spring-loaded drawers that open at the touch of a button! (see video) This unique desk was custom-designed by SLS Environetics and produced by Leopold/Litton Industries for use in offices at the Sears Tower...
Steel, Aluminum
Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom L-Shaped Office Desk by George Nelson
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Lafayette, IN
This remarkable piece is a one-off desk/wardrobe/bar/bookcase/storage cabinet custom-designed by George Nelson in 1949 to match his Basic Cabinet Series (BCS) for Herman Miller. The desk was made specifically for a client in the Promontory Apartment Building in Chicago designed by Nelson's associate, and world-renowned architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The entire apartment was outfitted in pieces from George Nelson's Basic Cabinet Series for Herman Miller that sat, untouched for nearly 70 years in their original setting! In addition to two aluminium sconces, this piece also features hidden, fluorescent lighting mounted in the upper canopy as a clever solution to Mies van der Rohe's lack of ceiling fixtures. This is a gorgeous, grandiose, and extremely rare piece of design history that will instantly outfit an entire office in striking style! Features: Desk: - Book-matched walnut veneer - Built-in Bar - Built in coat closet/wardrobe - Dual aluminum sconces - Hidden, indirect fluorescent lighting - Silver-plated Herman Miller hardware - Dual "floating" book shelves - Tapered, cantilevered peninsula desk...
Aluminum
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Ranch Oak Desk and Matching Chair by Brandt
By A. Brandt Ranch Oak Furniture
Located in Lafayette, IN
Great little desk in the "Ranch Oak" style and manufactured by Brandt Furniture Co. of Fort Worth, Texas. Desk features a great size paired with that wonderful, faux-weathered wester...
Oak
Mid-Century Modern Asian-Influenced Pagoda Desk by The Northern Furniture Co.
By RWAY
Located in Lafayette, IN
Rare pagoda writing desk by The Northern Furniture Company /Rway. Desk features a floating, pagoda-inspired top, unique Bakelite/silver drawer pulls...
Silver
