Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser
View Similar Items
Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser
About the Item
- Creator:Planner Group (Manufacturer, Designer),Paul McCobb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 42.13 in (107.02 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 18.13 in (46.06 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1955-1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Older, enhanced refinish. Some bumps, bruises and dings on the top and drawers. Some minor light scratches to finish.
- Seller Location:Garnerville, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: ARFinateri08.17.18.11stDibs: LU1236211776141
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.
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron and Reed Side TableBy Winchendon, Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Garnerville, NYPair of Planner Group side table designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. Circa 1955. Featuring a birch top, iron frame and split reed lower shelf. Good overall honest wear and overal...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsIron
- Leslie Diamond for Conant Ball American Modern Dresser, A PairBy Russel Wright, Leslie Diamond, Conant BallLocated in Garnerville, NYA handsome pair of solid maple five drawer dressers designed by Leslie Diamond for Conant-Ball's American Modern line. Circa 1950-60. The dressers feature tapered block feet, drawer dividers in the second drawer, deep drawers for maximum storage, sturdy maple construction, and recessed channel handles...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMaple
- Hollywood Regency Burl Wood Twelve Drawer DresserBy Renzo Rutili, James Mont, Johnson Furniture CompanyLocated in Garnerville, NYBeautiful Hollywood Regency burl wood veneer twelve drawer dresser in the manner of James Mont or Renzo Rutilli. Circa 1945-55. Brass key hardware. Asian ...Category
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Dressers
MaterialsBurl, Sapele Wood
$6,880 Sale Price20% Off - Pair of 1960s Lounge Chairs the Manner of Paul McCobbBy Milo Baughman, Paul McCobb, Kroehler Mfg. Co.Located in Garnerville, NYReupholstered in Crypton "Island" (B8671) fabric, circa 1965. Great lines and profile. Solid ash tapered legs, slightly contoured arms. Made for maximum comfort. Reminiscent of desig...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Ash
- Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Dining Table and Leaves for CalvinBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in Garnerville, NYMahogany and Brass dining table with leaves designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin. Signed with brass plate on the table top runners, Calvin, Grand Rapids, The Irwin Collection, Designed...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Minimalist Iron and Maple Chair in the Manner of Paul McCobbBy Paul McCobb, Clifford Pascoe, Luther Conover, ArbuckLocated in Garnerville, NYContoured solid maple back and seat supported by a durable iron frame, circa 1950. Good condition.Category
Vintage 1950s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsIron
$760 Sale Price20% Off
- Pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple Six Drawer Double DressersBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated 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" DresserBy Paul McCobbLocated in Dallas, TXTimeless mid-century modern 6 drawer dresser designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, circa 1950s. Maple wood construction sits on a b...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsIron
$3,840 Sale Price20% Off - 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
- 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
- Pair of Refinished Paul McCobb Three Drawers Dressers Planner Group Tapered LegsBy Paul McCobbLocated in Rockaway, NJPair of Mid-Century Modern solid birch three drawers dresser by Paul McCobb.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBirch
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Winchendon Lacquered Maple Modular Dresser UnitBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, 2 piece, lacquered black and white, modular, maple dresser unit by Paul McCobb Planner Group Winchendon features a 2-drawer dresser wi...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass