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.
Pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple "Step" End Tables
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon Furniture #1589 Step Tables, 1950s-1960s. End Tables. Side Tables. Nightstands. Featuring solid two-tier rectangular form, deep single ...
Metal
Paul McCobb "Connoisseur Collection" Mahogany & Brass Side Table
By Paul McCobb, H Sacks & Sons
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection for H. Sacks & Sons Mahogany End Table. Featuring a sturdy, balanced rectangular framework with smoothly refinished Mahogany surface, turned legs, detailed with square tubular buffed Brass cross stretchers. With Brass tag...
Brass
Pair Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin Solid Dark Walnut & Chrome Tables
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin attributed Black Walnut & Chrome End Tables, Side Tables, Nightstands, circa 1970. Featuring open rectangular interior (16 x 24.5 x 19.75H...
Chrome
T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Square Mahogany Coffee Table
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Bainbridge, NY
T. H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb square mahogany Coffee Table. Side Table. Circa 1960. Featuring a solid board surface, beautifully grained Mahogany veneer, with solid turned ma...
Mahogany
Pair of Swedish Modern Dark Espresso Stained Walnut Nightstands, 1940s
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Pair of Swedish handcrafted dark walnut Bedside Cabinets, circa 1950. Featuring a finely crafted, sturdy square, beautifully grained deep Walnut frame on splayed legs with single pia...
Walnut
Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron & Tobacco Finish Birch Higher Coffee Table, Bench
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Early Paul McCobb Winchendon Planner Group high Coffee Table, Bench. Bed End Bench. Nightstand, 1950s. Featuring an open sturdy rectangular, braced thre...
Iron
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Mid Century Maple and Brass Side End Tables - Pair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Mid Century Maple and Brass Side End Tables - Pair Each side table measures: 30 wide x 24 deep x 22.25 inches high We take our photos in a controlled light...
Brass
Pair of Paul Mccobb Calvin Group Mahogany and Brass Nightstands for Directional
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paul Mccobb Calvin Group Model 1047 two-tier nightstands/side tables for Directional (ca. 1954, USA). Composed of a stained mahogany frame with extendable lower shelf with nickel pul...
Brass, Nickel
Pair of Mahogany and Brass Connoisseur Collection Nightstands by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb, H Sacks & Sons
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant two-tier, single-drawer side tables/nightstands designed by Paul Mccobb for his the "Connoisseur Collection" manufactured by H Sacks and Sons (ca. 1953, Brookline, MA, USA). Composed of a red mahogany frame with inset "hidden" drawer with brass pull tucked below the surface. Lower, glass tier is framed by brass stretchers which delicately brace the long, tapered legs. Additionally, the sides are deeply sculpted/partially recessed resembling a half-bowtie, revealing the drawer within and adding a nice detail to an otherwise simple form. Relatively large size offering ample storage options between the shallow drawer and lower surface. Sleek, minimal pieces designed with unique and unexpected features indicative of an ingenious design highlighting the marriage of form and function. Excellent, restored condition (wood has been refinished and brass has been polished). Only minimal wear remains. Signed with applied brass manufacturer's label to the drawer of each example: "Connoisseur Collection designed by Paul McCobb H Sacks...
Brass
Paul McCobb, Side Tables, Brass, Mahogany, USA, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass and mahogany side tables designed by Paul McCobb and produced by The Irwin Collection, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 14.9"H x 20.1...
Brass
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Side Table - Pair
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Side Table - Pair Each side table measures: 19 wide x 26.5 deep x 20 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restor...
Brass
Mid Century Modern Walnut & Brass American of Martinsville End Tables - a Pair
By American of Martinsville
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Mid Century Modern Walnut & Brass American of Martinsville End Tables. Item features brass capped feet, banded tops, stretcher base, solid wood frame, beautiful wood grain, c...
Brass
