Paul McCobb Desks
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
Original 1950s Mid-Century Modern Desk by Paul McCobb for Planner Group
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Lafayette, IN
This fantastic little desk is an original 1950s piece designed by the renowned Paul McCobb for the Planner Group and manufactured by the Winchendon Furniture Company. Desk has lots o...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Wood
Mid century Paul McCobb #1561 5 Drawer Desk Red Lacquer Finish Brass Pulls
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1561 double pedestal 5 drawer desk with a Red Stained finish Brass knobs solid maple. Desk is in vintage condition shows signs of use and wear. V...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Connoisseur Collection Mahogany and Brass Writing Desk, Refinished
By H Sacks & Sons, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern writing desk
By Paul McCobb for H. Sacks & Sons, "Connoisseur Collection"
USA, 1950s
Mahogany, with brass trim, stretchers, and hardware....
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Brass
Rare Midcentury Paul McCobb 1562 Drop Lid Desk with Organizer Maple T Pulls
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb planner group #1562 drop lid desk with Rare organizer inside and adjustable glass shelf blonde maple finish T-pulls all solid maple. Flip down front door is des...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Steel
Mid-Century Paul McCobb Model #1560 Writing Desk and Chair
By Paul McCobb, George Nelson, Planner Group
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century writing desk model #1560 and chair both designed by Paul McCobb, circa 1950s.
Part of McCobb's iconic Planner Group series, this desk embodies the clean lines and minima...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Metal, Nickel
Vintage Paul McCobb Planer Group Writing Desk
By Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
48” x 18.5” x 29”H; knee hole 21.5” x 24”H
Single pedestal writing desk designed by Paul McCobb for the Planner Group line.
•solid maple
•tobacco finish
•original cone-shaped so...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1561 5 Drawer Desk Blonde Maple Finish Brass Pulls
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1561 double pedestal 5 drawer desk blonde maple finish Brass knobs solid maple. Desk is in original vintage conditio...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Brass
Rare Midcentury Paul McCobb #1562 Drop Lid Desk with Organizer Maple Black Brass
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb planner group #1562 drop lid desk with Rare organizer inside and adjustable glass shelf in original Black Lacquer finish brass cone pulls all solid maple. Flip ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Brass
Ebonized Predictor Group Desk by Paul McCobb for O'Hearn Furniture Company
By Paul McCobb, O'Hearn Furniture 1
Located in Dorchester, MA
This hard-to-find desk is a Paul McCobb design for his Predictor series, manufactured by O'Hearn Furniture only from 1951 to 1955. The ebonized maple case sits on slender canted legs. To the left a door conceals three drawers, the lower of which is file-deep. To the right three narrow but long drawers feature round brass pulls. To the back is a narrow shelf...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Brass
Clean Lined Modern Desk by Paul McCobb
By Paul McCobb
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined modern desk, designed by Paul McCobb, American, circa 1960s. This desk is currently being refinished and can be completed in your choice of finish color. The price noted ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Blond Maple Student Desk (model 1560)
By Paul McCobb
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century blond maple student desk with a rectangular desktop supported on the left by two drawers with circular knob pulls resting on two short...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Wood, Paint, Maple
Paul McCobb for Winchendon Maple Double Pedestal Desk
By Paul McCobb
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century (circa 1950) maple double pedestal desk with vintage finish and solid brass "golf tee" hardware, three drawers on one pedestal and two la...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Brass, Metal
Ebonized Mahogany Desk by Paul McCobb, Connoisseur Collection, C. 1950s
By Paul McCobb
Located in Westport, CT
Ebonized Mahogany Desk from Paul McCobb's Connoisseur Collection, meticulously restored by Stamford Modern. Crafted in the 1950s, this mid-century icon boasts minimalistic lines and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Writing Desk for Winchendon
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern writing desk by Paul McCobb features a wonderful maple finish with unique brass drawer pulls. Tapered legs and spacious four drawer design make this a stylish...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb Refinished Blond Maple Student Desk (model 1560)
By Paul McCobb
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century blond maple student desk with a rectangular desktop supported on the left by two drawers with circular knob pulls resting on two short...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Wood, Maple
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1567 Four Drawer Desk Maple Black Finish Brass Pulls
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1567 four drawer desk solid maple black finish brass pulls solid maple. Desk is in original vintage condition. Ve...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb 'Cache Desk Organiser' Wood and Steel by Karakter
By Paul McCobb
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Storage unit 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 table with ...
Category
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Steel
Paul McCobb for Calvin MCM Ebonized Mahogany Brass and White Laminate Desk
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin mid century ebonized mahogany brass and white laminate desk
Desk measures: 54.5 wide x 26 deep x 29 inches high, with a cha...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb for Winchendon Walnut Stain Maple #1560 Desk & Spindle Chair
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome and very original condition, Desk + Chair, designed by Paul McCobb and built by Winchendon Furniture Co, circa 1950s. These are part of the Planner Design Group, which is ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Brass
Paul McCobb White Finish Wooden Student Desk 'Model 1560'
By Paul McCobb
Located in Queens, NY
American mid-century wooden white-painted student desk with a rectangular desktop supported on the left by two drawers with circular knob pulls resting on ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Wood, Paint
'Cache Desk Organiser' Wood and Steel by Paul McCobb for Karakter
By Paul McCobb
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
'Cache Desk Organiser' Wood and Steel by Paul McCobb for Karakter
Storage unit designed by Paul McCobb in 1952.
The foundation of the Cache series, p...
Category
2010s Danish Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desks
Materials
Steel
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Paul Mccobb desks for sale on 1stDibs.
Paul McCobb desks 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 desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 23 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 2 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original desks by Paul McCobb were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Herman Miller, George Nelson, and Drexel. Prices for Paul McCobb desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $555 and can go as high as $12,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,500.
Creators Similar to Paul McCobb
Questions About Paul McCobb Desks
- 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, 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, 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, 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.