Ebonized Paul McCobb Drawer Dresser, Planner Group, 1950s
View Similar Items
Ebonized Paul McCobb Drawer Dresser, Planner Group, 1950s
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: 18.25 in (46.36 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Professionally restored and lacquered. There is some slight black overspray on the sides of the drawers that are concealed when closed.
- Seller Location:Culver City, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU113927776653
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.
- Important Vladimir Kagan Rosewood Brass Dresser, Desk Unit, 1950sBy Vladimir KaganLocated in Culver City, CAIf you're a fan of Vladimir Kagan and are looking for a piece with a story, look no farther. This piece resided in the master bedroom of Vladimir Kagan and Erica Wilson's Park Avenue apartment. This is the Kagan Family Custom Dresser and Desk, Vladimir Kagan Designs, Inc., USA, circa 1950. Designed by Vladimir Kagan for he and his wife's bedroom-- this set is truly stunning. Modular in nature, there is a dresser unit, that is flanked by a file cabinet, diagonally slatted drawers, and a drafting drawer for Kagan's pens. The unit has an attached drafting table with a drawer that features a multi-level adjusting lever where Vladimir Kagan himself used to sit and prepare his sketches. Below the drafting table, you can see the groove to pullout the drawer was completely hand tooled. This seat is comprised of hardwood, with rosewood veneer, brass legs and drawer pulls which have been polished back to their original glow, and a laminate top on the drafting table. This set can be seen as documented in: Martin Eidelberg, Design 1935-1965: What Modern Was, Abrams, p. 162 New York Social Diary, Vladimir Kagan, April 15, 2016 Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) was a German-born American furniture designer known for his sleek, modernist designs that combined organic shapes with high-tech materials. Kagan began his career in the 1940s, working for his father's furniture business in Germany. He later immigrated to the United States and started his own design studio in New York City in 1949. Over the next several decades, Kagan created hundreds of iconic designs, including his signature "Sculptured Chair" and "Floating Sofa," which became icons of 1950s and 60s modernism. Kagan's designs were celebrated for their sculptural quality and unique use of materials, such as fiberglass, lucite, and stainless steel. He also pioneered the use of ergonomics in furniture design, creating pieces that were not only beautiful but also comfortable to use. Throughout his career, Kagan received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to design, including the American Society of Interior Designers' Designer of Distinction award in 1985 and induction into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 2009. Kagan's impact on the world of furniture design is incredibly significant. His work helped define the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic, and his innovative use of materials and focus on ergonomics continue to influence designers today. His designs are highly sought after by collectors and are displayed in museums around the world. This set is currently in our gallery with a set of Vladimir Kagan unicorn...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
$19,600 Sale Price30% Off - Paul McCobb Tuxedo Sofa in White Boucle, Directional, 1960'sBy Directional, Paul McCobbLocated in Culver City, CAThis sofa is mid-century design at its finest. Designed by Paul McCobb for famed modernism manufacturer Directional Furniture, this tuxedo sofa is timelessly chic. Upholstered in a fine Belgian boucle...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsBouclé
- Paul McCobb for Directional 314 Model High Back Lounge Chair in Grey VelvetBy Directional, Paul McCobbLocated in Culver City, CAAvailable right now we have this absolutely gorgeous Paul McCobb for Directional, model 314 wingback lounge chair. This lounge chair is stunning-- very large in scale, and clad in fine cotton velvet that has a slight sheen. This gorgeous wingback was designed in the 1950's by Paul McCobb for Directional furniture, which is known for its high quality manufacturing. Many famed designers such as Milo Baughman, Paul Evans and even Vladimir Kagan have designed for Directional furniture, as it's truly a furniture dynasty producer of legacy furniture...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Wingback Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Walnut
- 1950s Harvey Probber Style Ebonized Slipper Lounge Chairs in Heavy BoucleBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Culver City, CAThese chairs are simply stunning. These vintage slipper lounge chairs were designed in the 1950s in these style of Harvey Probber. These lounges have been ebonized and upholstered in a heavy off-white / bone bouclé that is incredibly soft to the touch. These are chairs you'll want to sit in and lounge for hours-- equally as comfortable as they are beautiful. **Priced per chair** The shape of these chairs is recognizably Mid-Century Modern; timeless angular body that effortlessly blends into any contemporary, modern, traditional or even Hollywood Regency environment. The chairs can be styled up, or styled down and would look equally as fashionable in a Tommy Bahama beach house style...Category
Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Slipper Chairs
MaterialsBouclé, Oak
$2,240 Sale Price / item47% Off - Italian Modern Gio Ponti Style Brass & Ebonized Bar, with Stool, 1950sBy Gio PontiLocated in Culver City, CAThis bar unit is simply stunning-- from every single angle. often attributed to Gio Ponti, this bar features angular brass upright splayed legs, with atomic style ball feet. This bar is so clean, elegant and timeless, it could effortlessly flex into any mid century modern, traditional, regency or modern setting. This bar unit comes with one bar stool, although in researching this set, it would be very simple to make a pair, or matched set. Please reach out if you'd like assistance sourcing and reupholstering for a matched set. This bar unit is currently in our gallery alongside pieces by Paolo Buff...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsBrass
$7,425 Sale Price25% Off - Torbjorn Afdal Butterfly Chairs, 1950sBy Torbjørn Afdal, Bjarne HansenLocated in Culver City, CAExtremely rare "Butterfly" easy chairs designed by Torbjørn Afdal in 1957. Produced by Bjarne Hansen in Norway during the late 1950s. (Please note, these are priced per chair.) These gorgeous mid century modern accent chairs...Category
Vintage 1950s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsTeak
$5,625 / item
- Paul McCobb Planner Group 20-Drawer Dresser or Credenza, 1950sBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated 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 for Planner Group Winchendon Modular Ebonized Maple DresserBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, modular dresser system by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon features two 24 x 18 x 8.5 inch dressers with signature aluminu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsAluminum
- Paul McCobb Maple Double Dresser Planner Group by Winchendon Furniture, 1950sBy Winchendon, Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Miami, FLMid-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 ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsAluminum
- 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
- 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
- 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