Paul McCobb Beech wood and Leather cocktail table.Perimeter Group, Winchendon
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Planner Group (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Buffalo, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1062412366041
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: Buffalo, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Paul McCobb End Tables Perimeter Group for Winchendon Furniture Co. 1950By Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Buffalo, NYRare Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture Company, 1950."Perimeter Group" beech wood and leather end tables.Stunning tables,classic mid century modern design.. This line was very lim...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsLeather, Beech
- Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Drop Leaf Table for Winchendon Furniture Co.By Paul McCobbLocated in Buffalo, NYSeldom seen Paul McCobb "Planner Group" drop leaf table for Winchendon Furniture Co. Nice early example, beautiful honey color solid birch/ maple top. Heavy iron legs, measures 30" x...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsIron
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Sliding Door Credenza with Drawers, Classic ModernistBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Buffalo, NYFrom the Paul McCobb Modular Planner Group line of Winchendon Furniture. Solid maple cabinet holds three drawers on one side single drawer with adj...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsGrasscloth, Maple
- Paul McCobb Model 1530 Mid-Century Modern Chair, Early Winchendon LabelBy Paul McCobb, WinchendonLocated in Buffalo, NYClassic Paul McCobb Model 1530 Mid-Century Modern Chair, Retains early Winchendon Modern label. Pre Planner Group. Wonderful original condition, color, finish, patina. Functional Art...Category
Vintage 1950s American Office Chairs and Desk Chairs
MaterialsWood, Maple
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Dinette Set, Classic Modern.. Great "smaller" SizeBy Paul McCobb, WinchendonLocated in Buffalo, NYWonderful little set...Mid-Century Modern square dining or game table with four chairs designed by Paul McCobb / Planner Group line for Winchendon Furniture. The table and chairs ret...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets
MaterialsBirch
- Stunning Paul McCobb Credenza for Calvin Linear Group Cabinet, Classic ModernistBy Paul McCobbLocated in Buffalo, NYStunning Paul McCobb credenza for Calvin Linear Group cabinet, Classic Modernist Design.. Beautiful figured walnut..Aluminum trim and details..Two sliding doors (bottom).. Three draw...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsAluminum
- Blonde Paul McCobb Planner Group for Winchendon Cocktail Table with DrawerBy Paul McCobb, Winchendon, Planner GroupLocated in Ferndale, MIMaybe the cleanest original finish Paul McCobb coffee table I have ever seen. Part of the Planner Group for Winchendon Furniture. One long drawer below nicely grained maple top suppo...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMaple
- Low Planner Group Coffee Table by Paul McCobb for WinchendonBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Berlin, DEA rare low round Planner Group coffee table by Paul McCobb, in excellent condition in clear maple.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMaple
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Winchendon Coffee TableBy Paul McCobb, WinchendonLocated in Forest Grove, PAAn early Paul McCobb for Winchendon Planner Group Coffee Table. Fresh from a Bucks County PA estate.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Square Coffee Side Tables by Paul McCobb Planner Group for WinchendonBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, maple, coffee or side/end tables by Paul McCobb, Planner Group for Winchendon are newly ebonized.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMaple
- Coffee Table by Paul McCobb for Winchendon FurnitureBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYTextbook mid-century modern style and quality from one of America's most legendary designers, Paul McCobb. Made of top quality maple for the Planner Group by the Winchendon Furniture...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsMaple
- Paul McCobb for Winchendon Wrought Iron Coffee TableBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, coffee table by Paul McCobb for Winchendon features a minimal wrought iron frame with maple top.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWrought Iron