Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Lounge Chair
About the Item
- Creator:Paul McCobb (Designer),Planner Group (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)Depth: 33 in (83.82 cm)Seat Height: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Countryside, IL
- 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: Countryside, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Coffee TableBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Planner Group mid century coffee table The table measures: 60 wide x 18 deep x 15 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintag...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
- Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Dining Chairs, Set of 6By Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Planner group mid century dining chairs - set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 20.25 wide x 19 deep x 30.25 high, with a seat height of 18 inches Each captains c...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Square Coffee TableBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Planner Group mid century square coffee table Coffee table measures: 32 wide x 32 deep x 20.25 high All piec...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWood
- Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 20 Drawer DresserBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 20 Drawer Dresser This lowboy measures: 72 wide x 18.5 deep x 33.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restore...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
- Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 2 Tier Corner TableBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Countryside, ILPaul 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWood
- Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Sliding Door CabinetBy Planner Group, Paul McCobbLocated in Countryside, ILPaul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Sliding Door Cabinet This cabinet measures: 36 wide x 18 deep x 33.5 inches high All pieces of fu...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWood
- 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
- Pair of Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain Lounge Maple Arm ChairsBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in BROOKLYN, NYPair of rare all original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain arm chairs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsMaple
- Paul McCobb for Widdicomb Symmetric Group Mid-Century Modern Lounge ChairBy Widdicomb Furniture Co., Paul McCobbLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern upholstered lounge chair By Paul McCobb for Widdicomb, "Symmetric Group" USA, 1950s Gorgeous light tan mohair velvet upholstery, with sculpted so...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- 1950s Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Planner for Group Dining ChairsBy Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Charleston, SCA set of four dining chairs Designed by Paul McCobb's iconic for Winchendon Furniture Planner Group series, manufactured from 1950-1964. These chairs have been professionally resto...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMaple
- Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Dining Chairs Paul McCobb for Winchendon Set 5By Paul McCobb, Planner GroupLocated in Topeka, KSFabulous set of five Mid-Century Modern Planner Group style #1534 dining chairs by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. Comprised of a dark walnut finished maple. They have been newly upholstered at some point in their recent past in a brown background fabric with chenille squiggly undulating lines in gold and turquoise or teal. Beautiful condition with age-appropriate wear as you would expect with vintage pieces. Two of the chair backs do have small nicks. One has been repaired. All chairs have been re-glued. We have used restore-a-finish on the original finish to bring back its original shine. Please see photos. Circa 1949-1964. Simply Amazing!! What a fabulous set of five Mid-Century Modern dining chairs! They are part of the Planner Group for Winchendon designed by internationally known and revered designer Paul McCobb. They are style number 1534, and they are comprised of a beautiful maple frame with a dark walnut finish. The foam seats are covered in a brown chenille fabric with raised fiber squiggly undulating lines in colors of gold and turquoise or maybe its teal. The fabric is so awesome it reminds us of a comfy chenille bedspread...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Maple
- Mid Century Paul McCobb for Directional Lounge Chair 1950sBy Directional, Paul McCobbLocated in Troy, MIExceptional lounge chair designed by Paul McCobb for Directional circa 1950s Sculpted alnut frame with splayed legs and fluted armrests Uphols...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut