Paul McCobb Furniture
American, 1917-1969
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.
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Creator: Paul McCobb
Vintage Paul McCobb Sofa for Directional
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Paul McCobb sofa for Directional
reupholstered at one point. In pretty nice condition with fabric being usable as-is. minor wear.
finish to wood and legs shows...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Paul McCobb Perimeter Group Walnut Leather Side Table
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Baltimore, MD
Spectacular 1960s rare mid-century end/ side table designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture Company, 1960s "Perimeter Group". Features an oval shaped top in beautifully grain...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Leather, Walnut
Paul McCobb Square Center Birch Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern square center table with con tapered legs.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Birch
Paul McCobb Brass X Base Stool
By Paul McCobb
Located in Highland, IN
A Paul McCobb classic, his X-base stool, is a timeless design: elegant without being fussy, refined without feeling precious, and like so much of McCobb's work, perfectly proportione...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid-Century Brass X Base Stool Ottoman
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin mid century brass x base stool ottoman.
Stool measures: 20 wide x 20 deep x 15.5 inches high.
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Winchendon Modular Ebonized Maple Dresser
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, modular dresser system by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon features two 24 x 18 x 8.5 inch dressers with signature aluminu...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Paul McCobb "Tub" Lounge Chair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Highland, IN
This uncommon design by Paul McCobb is classic mid-century modern design. With it's clean lines and splayed tapered legs, it is stylish but unpretentious. A generous seat makes it ve...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 2 Tier Corner Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb For Planner Group mid century 2 tier corner table
The table measures: 30 wide x 30 deep x 21 inches high
All pieces of furnitur...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Square Coffee Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group mid century square coffee table
Coffee table measures: 32 wide x 32 deep x 20.25 high
All piec...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Paul McCobb Two-Tone Planner Chairs, PAIR
By Paul McCobb
Located in North Miami, FL
Beautifully lacquered in two tones, white and natural wood in brown stain. We have a second similar pair of McCobb chairs that can make a lovely set of ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Toledo, OH
Paul McCobb Planner Group coffee table for Calvin Furniture, Co. Walnut coffee table with a single drawer and full lower storage. 54" long x 32" w...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Dresser by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful vintage modern sideboard by Paul McCobb with a sleek marble top. This stunning case piece offers plenty of room for storage within its many drawers hidden by unique foldi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Maple
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Side End Tables, Pair
By Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century side end tables, pair
Each table measures: 36 wide x 18 deep x 10 high
This price includes getting this set in what we call Restored Vinta...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Paul McCobb Brass Side or End Table with Uncommon Textured Top
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Highland, IN
The Paul McCobb side or end table features a brass base and a most unusual top with a wonderful textured pattern. This table is more commonly seen with a travertine or vitrolite top....
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb for Planner Group Side Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Usual size Paul McCobb for planner group occasional side table.
Measuring: 24 in W x 18 in D x 20 in H.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Maple
Midcentury Paul McCobb Brass Tripod ‘Torchiere’ Accent Lamp
By Paul McCobb
Located in Kensington, MD
Subtle details make this torchiere lamp by Paul McCobb an MCM Classic. An open milk-glass light perches atop a brass pole with a 3-pronged base.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Server
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large server by Paul McCobb with ample storage and both metal and wood hardware.
Location: Brooklyn NY.
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
$6,500
Paul McCobb Cache Console with Two Drawers, Wood and Steel by Karakter
By Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Console with two drawers designed by Paul McCobb in 1952. The foundation of the Cache series, part of Paul McCobb’s extensive Planner series, is a beautifully simplistic and easy tab...
Category
2010s Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Steel
Low Console Table Designed by Paul McCobb for Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in Stamford, CT
A square brass armature console table with travertine marble top designed by Paul McCobb.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Directional Dining Table with Brass Stretchers by Calvin
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb Directional Dining Table with Brass Stretchers
One of the more desirable dining table forms with brass stretchers by Paul Mccobb....
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Vintage Paul McCobb Calvin Milk Glass and Cane End Tables
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Vintage Paul McCobb milk glass and cane end tables
Fully marked with Calvin labels on the interior drawers.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Cane, Milk Glass, Wood
Mid-Century Paul McCobb Calvin Group Dining Set
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage dining set features the unique Mid-Century design of Paul McCobb produced for the Calvin group. Stylish aluminum trim contrasts with the rich walnut finish of this expan...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
$6,800 / set
Pair of Paul McCobb Brass Stools Silver Shagreen Leather
By Paul McCobb
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of Paul McCobb brass stools, shagreen silver leather, with brass criss-cross bases, adjustable feet.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul Mccobb Vintage Dresser for Calvin The Irwin Collection
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul Mccobb vintage dresser for Calvin The Irwin Collection.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Paul McCobb Brass x Wall Mirror
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
PAUL MCCOBB Brass X Mirror. One of Mccobb's strongest Mirror Designs. Brass Pegs at each corner to suspend the mirror off the wall. Large brass X form on front of mirror. Decorative ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb for Dunbar Parsons-Style Dark Finished Wooden End / Side Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century wooden square end / side table with four square wooden legs with a dark brown stained finish. (PAUL MCCOBB FOR DUNBAR FURNITURE COMPANY)
Some wear to finish.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Paul McCobb Brass Inset Leather Caned Magazine Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Paul McCobb magazine table. Caned shelves with leather top. Brass edging. High quality Paul McCobb.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rattan Shelf Side Table by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern side table with shelf designed by Paul McCobb. Constructed in light walnut wood with a round top of opaque Vitrolite glass and features a rattan lower shelf. Cra...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Glass
Desk Organizer by Paul McCobb for Winchendon, 1949
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A small table top maple storage unit with two drawers supported by a black steel frame base. This desk organizer is a product from the Planner Group, a coordinated contemporary furni...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Steel
Vintage Paul McCobb Two-Toned Planner Chairs, PAIR
By Paul McCobb
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a pair of two-toned, white and brown stained wood, Planner chairs designed by Paul McCobb. There is a second pair of McCobb chairs in similar two-tone that would complement b...
Category
1950s American Vintage Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Maple
Predictor Group Lounge / Easy Chair by Paul McCobb, 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Kensington, MD
Paul McCobb for O’Hearn Furniture Predictor Group Arm Chair from the early 1950s.
Modernist interpretation of the classic Windsor chair has a back with vertical spindles.
Has its ori...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Walnut
Price Upon Request
Paul Mccobb furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Paul McCobb furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Paul McCobb furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 901 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 16 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original furniture by Paul McCobb were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Dunbar, George Nelson, and John Widdicomb. Prices for Paul McCobb furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $195 and can go as high as $25,995, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,826.
Creators Similar to Paul McCobb
Questions About Paul McCobb Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022You can sell Paul McCobb furniture in a number of ways. Options include selling directly to someone else by advertising on social media or in the newspaper or going to a vintage furniture shop. You can also work with an auction house or choose a reputable online platform. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Paul McCobb furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022To refinish Paul McCobb furniture, start by stripping away the old finish with a chemical stripper. Then, use a fine wire brush and steel wool to remove any lingering chemicals. Sand every surface and apply a wood conditioner. Finally, apply three to five coats of lacquer. Find a collection of Paul McCobb furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The best way to identify Paul McCobb furniture is to look for the signature hallmarks of his style. He didn't sign or add a brand marker to his pieces. McCobb preferred clean, simple lines with no ornamentation. Slightly angled legs and boxy drawers and chair backs are indicative of his work. On 1stDibs, find a variety of expertly vetted Paul McCobb furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022In most cases, Paul McCobb used a natural lacquer wood finish. In doing so, he emphasized the natural color and grain of the hardwoods used to build his tables, desks, cabinets and other furniture. Shop a collection of Paul McCobb on 1stDibs.
More Paul McCobb Furniture
Paul McCobb Dressers
Paul McCobb Lounge Chairs
Paul McCobb Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Paul McCobb End Tables
Paul McCobb Bedroom Furniture
Paul McCobb Side Tables
Paul McCobb Dining Room Tables
Paul McCobb Credenzas
Paul McCobb Dining Room Chairs
Paul McCobb Cabinets
Paul McCobb Chairs
Paul McCobb Commodes and Chests of Drawers