Paul McCobb Planner Group Three-Drawer Chest for Winchendon
View Similar Items
Paul McCobb Planner Group Three-Drawer Chest for Winchendon
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Planner Group (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.5 in (85.09 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 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 1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. There is a ring in the surface finish only on the top.
- Seller Location:Topeka, KS
- Reference Number:Seller: 414-CSG-0011stDibs: LU187334307743
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 Mid-Century Modern Full-Size Headboard Brass and BirchBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome yet simple full-size headboard from the Planner Group designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. It is in fabulous original vintage condition with no outstanding flaws we have detected. Please see photos, circa mid-20th century. Paul McCobb (1917-1969), is a 20th century design genius. He wanted to be an artist from childhood and studied drawing and painting for a time but left his studies to enlist in the Army in 1942. Only serving a short time and was medically discharged in 1943. McCobb’s design genius was first noticed while working as a design and decorating consultant for Martin Feinman’s Modernage Furniture in New York City in 1948. While there he met B.G. Mesberg who later became his business partner in the Planner and Directional furniture lines. He won many awards and is represented in museums around the world. His other well-known furniture lines are Predictor, Calvin Group, Directional, Irwin...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsBrass
$796 Sale Price20% Off - Mid Century Modern 6 Drawer Dresser by Dillingham Walnut & Pecky CypressBy Dillingham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Topeka, KSFabulous vintage Mid Century Modern 6 drawer dresser by Dillingham Manufacturing Company. Comprised of a walnut case rustic pecky c...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut, Cypress
$1,996 Sale Price20% Off - MCM 6 Drawer Dresser Framed Arch Mirror by Dillingham Walnut & Pecky CypressBy Dillingham Manufacturing CompanyLocated in Topeka, KSFabulous vintage Mid Century Modern 6 drawer dresser with framed arch mirror by Dillingham Manufacturing Company. Comprised of a walnut case rustic pecky cypress drawers, and a recessed black painted plinth/floating base. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. Specifically, one drawer front had missing wood that was repaired with filler & colored to match. There is a fresh coat of black on the base but no poly finish. We are happy to do that upon request. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Mid-20th Century. NOTE: We have this Dillingham 6 drawer dresser and mirror listed here separately if you are only interested in purchasing one or the other. Profound style, Pleasing Presence, AND Pecky Cypress? YES!!! This dresser is ALL OF THAT!!! (and maybe a little more!!) While there are plenty of dressers in this world… occasionally you come across a dresser with style that presides over the others…like this marvelous vintage 6 drawer dresser...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMirror, Walnut, Cypress
$2,796 Sale Price20% Off - American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane Dresser & Bachelor’s Chest w/ X’sBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome pair of chests from American of Martinsville and Merton Gershun’s Accord line of furniture with the signature X’s and asymmetric handles. One is the long walnut dresser with three drawers and cane doors and the second is the three-drawer bachelor’s chest. Two separate pieces but butted together make one long marvelous piece. We are pricing them as a set. Both are in wonderful restored condition. However, they are not without signs of age and use having an overall beautiful age patina which includes small nicks, scratches, and imperfections but nothing major. Please see photos, circa mid-20th century. Oh my! If you could ever say X marks the spot for a piece of furniture…you can say it with this pair. Note the metal signature crosses in their tops and their fabulous asymmetric or staggered handles. These gorgeous chests are from the Accord collection produced in the mid-20th century by American of Martinsville and designed by Merton Gershun. One piece is the longer dresser which is comprised of a bank of three drawers next to three doors with cane inserts. One door opens to the left and the other two doors bi-fold open to the right revealing three interior drawers. This dresser alone is wonderful but paired with the matching bachelor’s chest, which has the same bank of three drawers as the dresser, and butted next to the doors, making it one extra long cabinet...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsAluminum
$4,796 Sale Price / set20% Off - Modern to Post Modern White Laminate 6 Drawer Custom Dresser or Center DisplayBy Karl Springer, Milo BaughmanLocated in Topeka, KSFabulous modern to postmodern white laminate six drawer custom built dresser by Center Displays Custom Furniture and Cabinets of KCMO. Somewhat ...Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Dressers
MaterialsComposition, Metal, Brass
$2,796 Sale Price20% Off - Mid-Century Modern Tola Vanity by Alphons Loebenstein for Meredew Design, 1962By Meredew, Alphons LoebensteinLocated in Topeka, KSLovely vanity by Meredew Furniture Manufacturers. Part of the Tola bedroom furniture and Meredew Design, 1962 line attributed to Alphons Loebenstein. It is in great vintage condition...Category
Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
$1,596 Sale Price20% Off
- Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Dresser for Winchendon FurnitureBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Los Angeles, CAPaul McCobb "Planner Group" dresser for winchendon furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsSteel
- Paul McCobb for Planner Group Winchendon Modular Ebonized Maple DresserBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated 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 Planner Group Dresser for WinchendonBy Paul McCobbLocated in San Francisco, CAPaul McCobb design dresser for his debut Planner Group series for Winchendon, Mass. High quality construction using solid maple wood featuring eight drawers with aluminum o-ring pull...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMaple
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser for WinchendonBy Paul McCobbLocated in San Francisco, CAPaul McCobb Planner Group dresser for Winchendon, MA. Solid maple construction with three deep drawers and aluminum pulls on tapering angular legs. In very good original condition, r...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMaple
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Dresser for WinchendonBy Paul McCobbLocated in San Francisco, CAPaul McCobb design six drawer dresser for his Planner Group series for Winchendon Furniture Company. Made from solid maple wood that has been professionally lacquered in a light Pist...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Dresser with Steel Base for Winchendon FurnitureBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Los Angeles, CAThe Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Dresser with Iron Base for Winchendon Furniture is a timeless and iconic piece of mid-century modern design. Created by renowned American designer Pau...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsSteel