Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple and Iron "Shovel" Side Chairs, Fully Restored
About the Item
- Creator:Planner Group (Manufacturer),Paul McCobb (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 34.25 in (87 cm)Width: 18.25 in (46.36 cm)Depth: 21 in (53.34 cm)Seat Height: 17.5 in (44.45 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Professionally restored and refinished. Excellent condition.
- Seller Location:South Bend, IN
- Reference Number:
Paul McCobb
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.
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 Saarinen, 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 Planner Group furniture and other Paul McCobb furniture 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 Maple and Iron "Shovel" Side Chair, Fully RestoredBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern "shovel" dining chair, desk chair, or side chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid maple seat an...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple and Iron "Shovel" Dining Chairs, Fully RestoredBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional set of four Mid-Century Modern "shovel" dining chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid maple seats and back suppor...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple and Iron "Shovel" Dining Chairs, Fully RestoredBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional set of six Mid-Century Modern "shovel" dining chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid maple seats and back support...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron and Maple Coffee Table, Newly RefinishedBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern coffee table or bench By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Iron frame and solid maple top, with black lacquered drawers...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsIron
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron Base Stool or Side TableBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INA newly refinished planner group iron base stool or side table By Paul McCobb USA, 1970s Maple and iron Measures: 20" W x 20" D x 13.75" H...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsIron
- Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Nightstand, Newly RefinishedBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INA sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern nightstand or side table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple, with original brass drawer pu...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Paul McCobb for Winchendon MCM Maple and Iron Model 1533 Shovel Chair - PairBy Winchendon, Paul McCobbLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Winchendon Mid Century Maple and Iron Model 1533 Shovel Chair - Pair Each chair measures: 18.25 wide x 23 deep x 33.25 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearanc...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Paul McCobb for Winchendon Mid Century Maple and Iron Model 1533 Shovel ChairBy Winchendon, Paul McCobbLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Winchendon Mid Century Maple and Iron Model 1533 Shovel Chair This chair measures: 18.25 wide x 23 deep x 33.25 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 17...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Maple and Iron "Shovel" Chairs by Paul MccobbBy Paul McCobbLocated in Brooklyn, NYPaul Mccobb Shovel Chairs model #1533 designed in the 1950s for Planner Group and produced by Winchendon. Composed of solid maple seats with sculpted edges and deeply carved back res...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Wrought Iron
- Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Iron & Maple Dining Chairs for Winchendon FurnitureBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Los Angeles, CAPaul McCobb "Planner Group" iron and maple dining chairs for Winchendon Furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsIron
- Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain Lounge Maple Arm ChairBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in BROOKLYN, NYBeautiful all original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain arm chair. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vint...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMaple
- Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Dining Chairs Maple Spindle Back ChairsBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in BROOKLYN, NYAll original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group spindle back side chairs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vintage condition. Original blonde finish...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMaple