Paul McCobb Writing Desk in Maple
View Similar Items
Paul McCobb Writing Desk in Maple
About the Item
- Creator:Planner Group (Manufacturer),Paul McCobb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.14 in (74 cm)Width: 53.15 in (135 cm)Depth: 26.38 in (67 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Every item Morentz offers is checked by our team of 30 craftsmen in our in-house workshop. Special restoration or reupholstery requests can be done. We guarantee a very highquality standard, ask our design specialists for detailed information.
- Seller Location:Waalwijk, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: 450029071stDibs: LU933121575902
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.
Established in 2006, Morentz has a team of approximately 55 restorers, upholsterers, interior advisers and art historians, making it a gallery, workshop and upholstery studio, all in one. Every day, a carefully selected array of 20th-century furniture arrives from all over the world at the firm’s warehouse, where the team thoroughly examines each piece to determine what, if any, work needs to be done. Whether that means new upholstery or a complete restoration, Morentz's aim is always to honor the designer’s intention while fulfilling the wishes of the client. The team is up to any challenge, from restoring a single piece to its original glory to furnishing a large-scale hotel project.
- Guillerme & Chambron Corner Desk in Oak and GraniteBy Guillerme et ChambronLocated in Waalwijk, NLGuillerme & Chambron, desk, oak, granite, France, 1960s Corner desk by French designer duo Guillerme and Chambron. This beautiful desk holds the characteristic decorations and lines...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsGranite
- Paul McCobb for Planner Group Dining Table in MapleBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Waalwijk, NLPaul McCobb for Planner Group, dining table model 1522, maple, United States, 1950s Dining table ‘1522’ in maple by designer Paul McCobb. This model features blond maple wood that i...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsMaple
- Unique Italian Large Wall Unit with Writing Desk in Maple and BirchLocated in Waalwijk, NLWardrobe with writing desk, birch, maple, fabric, glass, brass, coated steel, Italy, 1950s Hailing from a skilled artisan of Italy, this exceptional set embodies a unique combinatio...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
MaterialsBrass, Steel
- French Writing Desk in Solid PineLocated in Waalwijk, NLWriting desk, pine, France, 1960s This writing desk of French origin has a splendid construction that epitomizes a simplistic, natural and timeless aesthetic. The design is charact...Category
Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsPine
- Italian Small Writing Desk in MahoganyLocated in Waalwijk, NLSmall writing desk, mahogany, brass, Italy, 1950s. Sculptural Italian desk with beautiful curved top. This writing table is both refined and elega...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Silvio Cavatorta Writing Desk in MahoganyBy Silvio CavatortaLocated in Waalwijk, NLSilvio Cavatorta desk, mahogany, brass, Italy, design 1948-1949 Beautifully shaped desk in mahogany designed by Silvio Cavatorta in the late 1940s. The...Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Writing Desk for WinchendonBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated 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
- Paul Mccobb Model 1560 Writing Desk In MapleBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Berkeley, CAOrigin: USA Designer: Paul McCobb Manufacturer: Planner Group Era: 1960s Materials: Maple Measurements: 48″ wide x 25.5″ deep x 29.25″ tall, Kneehole: 26" wide x 18" deep x 28.5" tal...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMaple
- Paul Mccobb Desk for CalvinBy Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobbLocated in Pawtucket, RIRare architectural walnut and stone desk designed by Paul Mccobb for Calvin Furniture in the early 1950's. The left hand pedestal features a slide out work surface, a small drawer...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsStone, Brass
$12,000 - Paul McCobb Winchendon Planner Group Blonde Desk with Orange and White DrawersBy Planner Group, Paul McCobb, WinchendonLocated 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
- Clean Lined Modern Desk by Paul McCobbBy Paul McCobbLocated in Atlanta, GAClean lined modern desk, designed by Paul McCobb, American, circa 1960s. This desk is currently being refinished and can be completed in your choice of finish color. The price noted ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Pedestal DeskBy Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis vintage modern pedestal desk features the iconic mid-century design of Paul McCobb. Single sided writing desk offers two drawers for storage and organization and a spacious formica-style top for work. Slender tapered legs and unique McCobb drawer pulls...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood
$1,400 Sale Price26% Off
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
You Don’t Need a Fictional Fairy to Get This Real Pinocchio Lamp
Warm chalet style meets cool Bauhaus functionality in Pietro Cascella’s cleverly carved creation.
Morentz Writes the Next Chapter for Furniture with a Storied Past
Dutch dealer Matthijs Hoveijn specializes in the best of mid-century modern design, selling it to discerning clients around the world.