Paul McCobb Cabin Modern Atomic Birch 5-Drawer Desk
View Similar Items
Paul McCobb Cabin Modern Atomic Birch 5-Drawer Desk
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Planner Group (Manufacturer)
- Similar to:Hans J. Wegner (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 53 in (134.62 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1952
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Some Scuffs and Scratches to the original finish, but overall very presentable with signs of a cared for and used vintage piece.
- Seller Location:Hyattsville, MD
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU98575296503
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.
- 1950s Paul McCobb 4-Drawer Correspondence Letter Chest Jewelry Box DresserBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Hyattsville, MDA wonderful tabletop letter cabinet for desktop or atop a dresser. It is in original unrestored condition and finish. Some wear to top surface and nor...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsSteel
$2,280 Sale Price20% Off - 1950s Paul McCobb Iron Rod Birch Sofa End Tables Vintage Mid-CenturyBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Hyattsville, MD1950s rare early Paul McCobb iron rod sofa end tables. Pair of solid staved Canadian Birch surfaces on 1/2 inch iron rod bases and plastic feet on each leg ti...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsIron
$2,000 Sale Price / set20% Off - 1950s Vintage Paul McCobb Iron Rod Planner Group Side Table Abstract MidcenturyBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Hyattsville, MDThe early 1950s lesser seen end table model from the Planner Group. Beauty through function and cost-effective materials. The Planner Group Line by Paul McCobb, Model#1305 table, Win...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsIron
- 1950s McCobb Planner Group 6-Drawer Dresser Blonde Farmhouse SpartanBy Paul McCobbLocated in Hyattsville, MDUnrestored condition, procured from original owners. Scratches, Light Fading and patina on all surfaces. Pulls are straight and strong. Numbers on the drawers match the cabinet nu...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBirch
- 1950s McCobb Planner Group 4-Drawer Petite Dressers on BenchBy Paul McCobbLocated in Hyattsville, MDUnrestored condition, procured from original owners. Scratches, Light Fading and patina on all surfaces. Pulls are straight and strong. Numbers on the drawers match both cabinet numb...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBirch
- Paul McCobb Directional Nº 314 Wingback Lounge Chair Ottoman Mid-Century RetroBy Paul McCobbLocated in Hyattsville, MDRe-Upholstery required. Not usable as-is. Please ship directly to your Upholsterer, reupholstery is necessary. No woodworking necessary, the framing on chair and ottoman are tight, ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBirch
- Midcentury Paul McCobb #1561 5 Drawer Desk Blonde Maple Finish Brass PullsBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1561 double pedestal 5 drawer desk blonde maple finish Brass knobs solid maple. Desk is in original vintage conditio...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Paul McCobb #1567 Four Drawer Desk Maple Black Finish Brass PullsBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1567 four drawer desk solid maple black finish brass pulls solid maple. Desk is in original vintage condition. Ve...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Paul McCobb #1567 Four Drawer Desk Blonde Maple Finish Brass PullsBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1567 four drawer desk blonde maple finish brass pulls solid maple. Desk is in original vintage condition. Very be...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Paul McCobb #1567 four drawer Desk Maple black Finish brass PullsBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1567 four drawer desk solid maple black finish brass pulls solid maple. Desk is in original vintage condition. Ve...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Writing Desk for WinchendonBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis Mid-Century Modern writing desk by Paul McCobb features a wonderful maple finish with unique brass drawer pulls. Tapered legs and spacious four drawer design make this a stylish...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Style Mid Century Whitney Birch DeskBy Paul McCobbLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb style mid century whitney birch desk The desk measures: 52 wide x 25 deep x 30 high, with a chair clearance of 24 inches All pieces of ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBirch
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The 21 Most Popular Mid-Century Modern Chairs
You know the designs, now get the stories about how they came to be.
Design Icon Ilse Crawford on Her Colorful New Hans Wegner Chairs
If anyone is brave, humble and adept enough to recolor these mid-century masterpieces, it’s Ilse Crawford. Here, she gives us the details on her five earthy paint choices and tells us how she feels about design collaborations.