Paul McCobb Planner Group Desk and Chair, circa 1955
View Similar Items
Paul McCobb Planner Group Desk and Chair, circa 1955
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Planner Group (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 48 in (121.92 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1955
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very minor wear on top and side as shown, otherwise very good.
- Seller Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1384214086961
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.
- George Nelson for Herman Miller Drop-Leaf Desk Model 4754, ca. 1955By George Nelson, Herman MillerLocated in Costa Mesa, CAGeorge Nelson for Herman Miller Drop-Leaf Desk Model 4754, ca. 1955. Professionally restored in showroom condition, this beautiful desk has a drop leaf on the left side with all orig...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMahogany
$2,796 Sale Price20% Off - Iron and Glass Dining Table or Desk by Darrell Landrum for Avard NYC, 1950By Avard, Darrell LandrumLocated in Costa Mesa, CAIron table with original opaque glass by Darrell Landrum for Avard NYC, 1950. Table has been professionally restored with new matte black powder coat and original frosted glass in ve...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsIron
$4,796 Sale Price52% Off - Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain's "Y" Chair, ca. 1955By Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Costa Mesa, CAEdward Wormley for Dunbar Captain's "Y" chair, ca. 1955. Professionally restored walnut frame with new back caning and new upholstered seat with super soft and luxurious ivory wool f...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsBrass
$3,600 Sale Price20% Off - Pair of Ebonized Oak Wishbone Dining Chairs by Hans J. Wegner, ca. 1955By Hans J. WegnerLocated in Costa Mesa, CABeautiful pair of vintage Hans J. Wegner CH24 "Wishbone" chairs in ebonized oak and woven paperboard seats. Very good vintage condition the seats have recently been re-woven with per...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsOak
$2,200 Sale Price / set20% Off - Illum Wikkelso for Soren Willadsen Model 110 Wingback Lounge Chair, ca. 1955By Illum Wikkelsø, Soren Willadsen MobelfabrikLocated in Costa Mesa, CAIllum Wikkelso for Soren Willadsen Model 110 Wingback Lounge Chair, ca. 1955. Exceptional vintage ALL ORGINAL condition, this piece is museum worthy and in wonderful vintage conditi...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Teak
$6,800 Sale Price20% Off - Early Eames DCW in Ash, ca. 1955By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman MillerLocated in Costa Mesa, CAEarly Eames DCW in Ash, ca. 1955. Iconic and classic Charles Eames for Herman Miller DCW (dining chair wood) in Ash. Marked with impressed DCW on underside. This chair is in good ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsAsh
Sold$1,200
- 1950's Paul McCobb Planner Group Desk & Chair SetBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated 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
- Midcentury Desk by Paul McCobb, Planner GroupBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated 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 Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Writing Desk and ChairBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk with matching desk chair. By Paul McCobb for Winchendon furniture, "Planner Group". USA, 1950s Black and white lacq...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Writing Desk and ChairBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk with matching chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black and white lacquered solid m...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Birch Corner Desk, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INA sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern solid birch corner desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 35.5"W x 35.5"D x 28.25"H. Good origi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Desk, Newly RefinishedBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern four drawer writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black and white lacquered solid maple, wi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass