Mid Century Modern Paul McCobb for Winchendon Planner Group Desk
View Similar Items
Mid Century Modern Paul McCobb for Winchendon Planner Group Desk
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Planner Group (Retailer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.016 in (73.71 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 24.13 in (61.3 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1953
- Condition:Repaired: Top refinished. Overall presents in very good vintage condition throughout; minor wear to legs and finish in a few areas; top refinished and of a slightly brighter hue, very attractive; original pulls; sturdy and stable throughout.
- Seller Location:Shippensburg, PA
- Reference Number:Seller: 109IKL18L1stDibs: LU1059026321882
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.
- Danish Mid Century Modern Adjustable-Height Teak Desk and Chair circa 1960sLocated in Shippensburg, PADANISH MODERN TEAK ADJUSTABLE-HEIGHT DESK AND CHAIR Circa 1960s Item # 112XHP08A A most striking adjustable-height desk or perhaps lectern, it is executed in solid teak and teak veneers with legs drilled for several height options. The desk lid...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Danish Modern Teak Peter Lovig Nielsen Flip-Top Writing Desk, 1975Located in Shippensburg, PADANISH MODERN PETER LØVIG NIELSEN TEAKWOOD FLIP-TOP WRITING DESK With Lovig Dansk brand to underside Denmark, manufactured in 1975 (marked to two drawer undersides) Item # 306OPB21A This brilliant desk was designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen and originally was offered finished in teak, oak and rosewood. The present example is the soothing teak veneer. We love with this design how Lovig utilizes a hinged shelf on the desk top that flips down, allowing the profile and working space to be flexible - flipping down the shelf allows a much larger desk space, while still allowing all of the shelves to be used for storage and organization. The flipping shelf is comfortably divided with open paper compartments, two with a removable dovetailed box...Category
20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- 18th Century French Provincial Black Painted “Mazarin” Pedestal DeskLocated in Shippensburg, PAPROVINCIAL EIGHT-LEGGED "MAZARIN" PEDESTAL DESK IN BLACK PAINT France, circa last quarter of the 18th century Item # 403ZLJ18Q An absolutely stunning eight-legged "Mazarin" pedestal...Category
Antique 18th Century French French Provincial Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood, Paint
- French Antique Art Deco Macassar Bureau Plat Writing Desk circa 1930Located in Shippensburg, PAART DECO MACASSAR EBONY, PARCHMENT AND BRASS BUREAU PLAT Likely French, circa 1930 Item # 111PZN03Z A very fine Art Deco period bureau plat, it features chaotically grained Macassa...Category
20th Century French Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- English George III Mahogany & Leather Pedestal “Rent” Writing Desk ca. 1800Located in Shippensburg, PAGEORGE III MAHOGANY & TOOLED LEATHER PEDESTAL DESK WITH "RENT" COMPARTMENTS England, ca. 1800 with numerous hidden compartments Item # 311EFP30W A rather special find, this positiv...Category
Antique 19th Century English George III Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- French Modernist Cerused Oak and Lacquered Skin Pedestal Desk ca. 1950sLocated in Shippensburg, PAMODERNIST WAXED AND CERUSED OAK DESK WITH LACQUERED SKIN WRITING SURFACE Probably French, circa 1950s Item # 311JOS13Q A remarkable Modernist pedestal desk from the 1950s, the utter...Category
20th Century European Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsOak
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk, Newly RefinishedBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid maple, with original bras...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Winchendon Planner Group Blonde Desk with Orange and White DrawersBy Winchendon, Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Ferndale, MIPaul McCobb designed desk for Winchendon Furniture in Mass. Part of the large Planner group collection Introduced in the early 1950s. Planner group being a collection of modular furn...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsMaple
$2,800 Sale Price20% Off - Midcentury Desk by Paul McCobb, Planner GroupBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYClassic midcentury desk designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon's "Planner Group". Maple wood construction, with tapered and splayed legs. Would make a great addition to any modern in...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMaple
- Paul McCobb Writing Desk for WinchendonBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis Mid-Century Modern writing desk by Paul McCobb features a wonderful maple finish with unique brass drawer pulls. Tapered legs and spacious four drawer design make this a stylish...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Maple Desk By Paul McCobb For Planner GroupBy Winchendon, Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern, model #1567, natural maple desk by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon features 4 drawers with aluminum ring pulls. The chair opening measures 21.5 inches w...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsAluminum
- 1950's Paul McCobb Planner Group Desk & Chair SetBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Southampton, NJA striking Paul McCobb four drawer desk and matching chair set with white laminate top. All original 1950's from the Planner Group series, this scarcely seen set with original tag ha...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass