Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Credenza or Record Cabinet
About the Item
- Creator:Planner Group (Manufacturer),Paul McCobb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33 in (83.82 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 18.25 in (46.36 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Newly refinished. Excellent condition.
- Seller Location:South Bend, IN
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: South Bend, IN
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Credenza or Media Cabinet, Newly RefinishedBy Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INA rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern solid birch credenza or media cabinet Designed by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group line for Winchendon Furniture USA, 1950s Solid ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza, Newly RefinishedBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Minimalist Mid-Century Modern sliding door sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacque...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMaple, Lacquer
- Paul McCobb Planner Group 20-Drawer Dresser or Credenza, Newly RestoredBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INA rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern 20-drawer long dresser or credenza designed by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group line for Winchendon Furniture. The credenza features solid ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Birch Sliding Door Sideboard Credenza, 1950sBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Mid-Century Modern sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch, with sliding grass cloth doors. ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBirch, Grasscloth
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Bookcase on Hairpin Legs, RefinishedBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern glass front bookcase on hairpin legs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch in black lacquered finish, with sliding glass doors and steel hairpin legs. Measures: 36"W x 12.25"D x 34.25"H. Newly refinished. Excellent condition. Two matching bookcases...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsSteel
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Bookcases on Hairpin Legs, RefinishedBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INA sleek and stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern glass front bookcases on hairpin legs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch in black lacqu...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsSteel
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Sliding Door Credenza with Drawers, Classic ModernistBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Buffalo, NYFrom the Paul McCobb Modular Planner Group line of Winchendon Furniture. Solid maple cabinet holds three drawers on one side single drawer with adj...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsGrasscloth, Maple
- Midcentury White Door Credenza Paul McCobb Planner Group #1514 Black LacquerBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful mid century tall credenza by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1514 has 1 adjustable shelves with pins with 1 drawer on the left side and 3 drawers on the right side. Solid maple construction with an original black lacquer finish. All original rare white cloth sliding front doors with brass...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury Small Maple Cabinet by Paul McCobb Planner Group #1512 B&W DoorsBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful midcentury small cabinet by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1512 has 1 fixed shelf - solid maple construction has a blonde la...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsIron
- Mid Century Modern Paul McCobb Credenza Cabinet for Planner Group, 1950sBy Paul McCobbLocated in Bedford Hills, NYNice small scale credenza cabinet by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, 1950s. Solid maple shell with original grass cloth sliders.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsGrasscloth, Maple
- Mid-Century Credenza by Paul McCobb Planner Group #1513 Blonde Doors MapleBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful mid-century low credenza cabinet with blonde maple sliding doors by Paul McCobb circa 1950 planner group #1513 has 2 adjustable shelves with pins - solid maple construction...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury All Black Credenza Paul McCobb Planner Group #1514 Black LacquerBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful midcentury tall credenza by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group #1514 has 1 adjustable shelves with pins with 1 drawer on the left...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsAluminum