Stunning Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Room Divider Etagere Walnut
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Planner Group (Cabinetmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 75 in (190.5 cm)Width: 54 in (137.16 cm)Depth: 13 in (33.02 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. This room divider unit is in good Vintage Condition inside and out - great patina all Original Walnut brown Lacquer over solid Maple.
- Seller Location:BROOKLYN, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1793226237182
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Stunning Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Room Divider Etagere blackBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in BROOKLYN, NYMidcentury American designer Paul McCobb freestanding black lacquer room divider for Planner Group. Unit black lacquer finish. This unit is in Beautiful vintage condition - Has lower cabinet and (2) lower drawers - all maple with an original black lacquer finish - Solid brass knobs...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Midcentury Paul McCobb Single Bookshelves #1516 Walnut FinishBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYPair of vintage midcentury Paul McCobb single high bookcases bookshelves #1516 original walnut finish over solid maple with black iron 4 leg base. Beautiful bookcase set by Paul McCo...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsIron
- Midcentury Credenza Paul McCobb Planner Group #1514 Blonde MapleBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful midcentury tall credenza by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1514 has 1 adjustable shelves with pins with 1 drawer on the left side and 3 drawers on the right side. Solid maple construction with a Original Blonde Maple...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain Lounge Maple Arm ChairBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful all original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain arm chair. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vint...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMaple
- Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Extension Dining TableBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful early 1950s Paul McCobb solid maple extention dining table on 4 squared tapered legs. Stunning solid maple tabletop with a slight taper on each end that has a tobacco semi ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsMaple
- Midcentury White Door Credenza Paul McCobb Planner Group #1514 Black LacquerBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful mid century tall credenza by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1514 has 1 adjustable shelves with pins with 1 drawer on the left side and 3 drawers on the right side. Solid maple construction with an original black lacquer finish. All original rare white cloth sliding front doors with brass...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Pair Paul Evans Bracket Shape Burl Walnut Polished Chrome Hanging Shelves MintBy Paul EvansLocated in Rockaway, NJPair of signed Paul Evans bracket shape burl walnut polished chrome hanging shelves Mint!Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsChrome
- Unique Milo Baughman Style Brass Finish EtagereBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis unique brass finish etagere offers plenty of stylish storage or display space, complete with staggered size shelves for added variety. Unique smoked mirror background and bottom...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Charles Hollis Jones Brass 5-Tier Etageres SignedBy Charles Hollis JonesLocated in Cathedral City, CAPair of brass plated and lucite custom shelving display design and signed by Charles Hollis Jones Each shelf is made of lucite. Provenance directly from CHJ. About Charles Hollis Jones: Charles Hollis Jones is an American artist and furniture designer who is recognized by the Smithsonian Institution for his pioneering use of acrylic and lucite. Born in Bloomington, Indiana in 1945, Jones moved to Los Angeles, California at the age of 16 and founded CHJ Designs. At the time, acrylic and plastic were not commonly used as a material for upscale furniture and art, but Jones, seeing its potential, began creating unique pieces for some of the city’s most renowned showrooms, such as Hudson-Rissman. His work was well received by both art critics and Hollywood celebrities alike. Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball and Johnny Carson were among some of the first to commission Jones Tennessee Williams commissioned Jones to design a comfortable, yet modern writing chair. The result was the Wisteria chair...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsBrass
- Contemporary Modern Decorative Chrome Etagere Display ShelfLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis unique modern display shelf features ornate decorative details including floral trim, sculpted cross supports, and faux leather glass shelves. Three shelves for optimal display ...Category
Late 20th Century Shelves
- Inlaid Corner Étagère from the Late 19th CenturyLocated in Opole, PLInlaid Corner Étagère from the late 19th century We present you this beautiful, inlaid étagère of a lightweight form. The piece is composed of five shelves supported on turned sma...Category
Antique Late 19th Century European Shelves
MaterialsOak
- Mid-Century Modern Faux Bamboo Brass Etagere with Stair Form and Smoked GlassLocated in Miami, FLBeautiful and functional etagere with stair form in three levels. The brass has a faux bamboo in very good condition and smoked glass in all shelves.Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsBrass