Paul McCobb Planner Group Chest of Drawers on a Low Table
View Similar Items
Paul McCobb Planner Group Chest of Drawers on a Low Table
About the Item
- Creator:Planner Group (Manufacturer),Paul McCobb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.25 in (84.46 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Length: 33.25 in (84.46 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 3
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:
- Seller Location:San Mateo, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU953618773962
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 Rosewood Chests by Poul Norreklit for Sigurd HansenBy Poul Nørreklit, Sigurd Hansen MøbelfabrikLocated in San Mateo, CAPair of rosewood dressers designed by Poul Norreklit. These were made by Sigurd Hansen Mobelfabrik of Denmark. The legs and handles are chrome plated. The grain on the rosewood is ou...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsChrome
- Group of Three Studio Pottery Bowls by William CreitzBy William CreitzLocated in San Mateo, CAThree bowls by studio potter William "Bill" Creitz (1938-2015). Creitz was born in Oregon and studied pottery at Portland State University with Ray Grimm. His work was inspired by Ja...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls
MaterialsCeramic
- Walnut and Acrylic Mid Century Low Coffee TableLocated in San Mateo, CAWalnut and acrylic slat coffee table. This table has the feeling of a Jens Risom design but we have not been able to document that. The table has three boards across the top with a s...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsAcrylic, Walnut
- Anglo Indian Brass and Hardwood ChestLocated in San Mateo, CAAnglo Indian hardwood campaign or dowry chest. This has brass straps, handles and large hinges on the interior. The lock has the original key. The chest is in good condition. It show...Category
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Decorative Boxes
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Rosewood and Glass End Tables by Henning NorgaardBy Henning Norgaard, KomfortLocated in San Mateo, CAPair of rosewood and glass end tables designed by Henning Norgaard. The frames are solid Brazilian rosewood. These are in original condition. The glass top on one table has a few sma...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsGlass, Rosewood
- Walnut and Laminate Table with a Pair of Stools by Richbilt Mfg.By Richbilt MFGLocated in San Mateo, CALow table with two stools made by Richbilt Manufacturing. The table and stools are walnut. The table has an inset black laminate top. This set is sometimes attributed to Jens Risom, ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Stools
MaterialsUpholstery, Laminate, Walnut
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Blonde with Black Drawers Dresser on Wrought Iron BaseBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Ferndale, MIMaster of mid-century American modular design Paul McCobb for Winchedon Planner group six drawer dresser. Maple case holds black lacquered drawers...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWrought Iron
$2,800 Sale Price26% Off - Tallboy by Paul McCobb for Planner GroupBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Charleston, WV42.25" tall, 36" wide and 18.25" deep. Masculine Upright dresser by Paul McCobb. A sophisticated restoration has been performed on two pieces and both...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
$3,995 / set - Midcentury Low 4 Drawer Dresser by Paul McCobb Planner Group #1504 All BlackBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful mid century low dresser credenza by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1504 with 4 drawers - solid maple construction has a ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsAluminum
- Midcentury 4 Drawer Black Low Dresser Paul McCobb Planner Group #1504 Rare BaseBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYRare midcentury low dresser credenza by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1504 with 4 low drawers - Solid maple construction has an Original Black lacquered finish. All original Black Steel T Pulls. Sits on a 60" x 18" matching Blonde maple platform bench table with rare original early 1950s iron Base. Good vintage Condition inside and out. Labeled burn mark in drawer. Labeled and Documented. Very rare original Paul McCobb unit...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsIron
- Midcentury 4 Drawer Low Dresser Paul McCobb Planner Group #1504 Rare Iron BaseBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYRare midcentury low dresser credenza by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1504 with 4 low drawers - Solid maple construction has a raw blonde maple lacquered finish. All original Black Steel T Pulls. Sits on a 60" x 18" matching maple platform bench table with rare original early 1950s iron Base. Good vintage Condition inside and out. Labeled burn mark in drawer. Labeled and Documented. Very rare original Paul McCobb unit...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsIron
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid Century Lowboy DresserBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb Planner Group Mid Century Lowboy Dresser This lowboy measures: 48 wide x 18 deep x 33.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
