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.
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Record Cabinet With Sliding Doors
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern black lacquered solid maple record cabinet or bar cabinet with sliding doors By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Meas...
Maple, Lacquer
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Minimalist Mid-Century Modern sliding door sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacque...
Maple, Lacquer
Thomasville Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Campaign Bookcase, Newly Refinished
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style bookcase By Thomasville USA, Circa 1970s Green lacquered walnut, with brass accents and brass finished stee...
Brass
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Sideboard Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid birch, with sliding gra...
Birch, Lacquer
Paul McCobb Black Lacquer and Brass Dresser or Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern eight-drawer long dresser or credenza By Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture. USA, 1950s Black lacquered walnut, with brass finished trim and ...
Walnut, Lacquer
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bookcase on Hairpin Legs, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Lane Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern bookcase or display cabinet By Paul McCobb for Lane Furniture, "Components" Collection USA, 1960s Gorgeous walnut, with steel hairpin legs, ...
Steel, Chrome
Black Lacquer Double Glass Sliding Doors Bracket Feet Petit Bookcase Shelves
By James Mont, Harvey Probber
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Black lacquer double glass sliding doors bracket feet petit bookcase shelves.
Glass, Mahogany
Paul McCobb Planner Group - Model 1514 Iron Base Credenza - Black Sliding Doors
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Decatur, GA
Paul McCobb Planner Group Model 1514 Iron Base Credenza with Black Pegboard Sliding Doors, Late 1950s An exceptional Paul McCobb Planner Group credenza, manufactured by Winchendon F...
Metal, Iron
Midcentury Low 4 Drawer Dresser by Paul McCobb Planner Group #1504 All Black
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful mid century low dresser credenza by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1504 with 4 drawers - solid maple construction has a Black Lacquered finish. All original aluminum...
Aluminum
Mid-Century Modern X-Frame Black Iron & Wood Bookcase / Étagère (c. 1970s)
Located in St. Louis, MO
A striking 1970s architectural Mid-Century Modern X-form étagère / bookcase featuring bold industrial construction infused with classic Neoclassical and Directoire details. Note this...
Brass, Iron
Avicenna Black Ebony Midcentury Style Credenza With Fluted Push Latch Doors
By Brett Paulin, Alex Stap
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Avicenna Credenza is a beautifully understated piece with stunning Minimalist design that echoes midcentury aesthetic. The cabinet is an oak veneer construction with an ebony fi...
Oak
Early Paul Mccobb 1950s Black Birch Cabinet on Iron base mid century modern
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
An early piece from Paul Mccobb for Winchedon Modern. The cabinet features 6 drawers on a rare form iron base. These pieces rarely surface on the iron base and are highly coveted a...
Iron
