Eek. I'm not an expert, but I have seen a fair amount of antiques road show :) I think if the condition is just so so, it won't ever be worth tons of money as a collectors item. You'd probably be better off fixing it up with all the changes it need.

Beautiful piece, though!

Jeanne

Why don't you google 'Paul McCobb planner group credenza' and see what it is worth before you decide how to proceed (definitely before you paint!). 1stdibs has 3 pages of PM furniture for sale, including a few credenzas like yours (but in better condition). And they're not cheap.

Plus, you'll get some ideas for restoration.

Great find!!

It's yours. I think the best way to honor it is to make it as beautiful as YOU want it to look. If you hadn't saved it it'd be in a dumpster. So paint away and make it your own. I'm sure Paul McCobb would agree.
But post photos when you are done!

it is not a holy relic--it is a piece of furniture that someone discarded. you may want to figure out what it would be worth if it was restored, and what it would take to get it there, and let that guide your decision. if you don't stand to make a profit, you might as well look at it as a sturdy, well made starting point, and do whatever you want with it.

agreed with the above two comments. it may be worth a few grand to someone in original condition, but what is it worth to you. planner group stuff was factory furniture in the 50's and 60's -- pieces like this are not unique and are not rare. this furniture is frequently refinished in new stains and paint, even today.

While it might be a "collector's piece" and worth a lot of money, who cares? Do what you want with it -- make it yours!

Laura
Just a Little Bit

Do whatever your heard desires and what will make you happy.

Paul McCobb is dead, I'm sure he won't mind.

Yeah, who cares what's "acceptable"? Do what you want with the credenza, you're the one who'll be living with it!

First decide if you want to make money off of it or use it. If you want to make money off of it do what ever it takes to sell it and get rid of it and buy something you like better. If you prefer to keep it, change it however you want to make it what you want. As it is I think it is ugly but there may be someone out there who loves it and will pay a bunch of money for it.

I would ask: "What did I get this for?" If you have it because it's an iconic piece of furniture and you want to retain it's image, then do some research and properly restore it. Maybe you'll find that the original was available in various stains and colors that might work better for you.

If you got it for it's classic form and size, then do what you will with it! I believe objects have a life of their own and need to change and grow to fit their surroundings just like us. They can retain the elements of design that make them unique or well loved, but if they get stuck stuck in a rut, they either end up unused and behind glass or in the dumpster.

I'd love to see this in a chocolate brown with a bold print on the front.

Definitely look to some of the recent "Mad Men" related posts here - the pictures fit what you've got quite nicely, and if that's the look you're going for, it's a good place to start!

Via quick Google search:
2 comparable McCobb credenzas in perfect shape are priced at $1500-$1800 apiece (If they actually sell at that price is another story...)

But guess what? Yours isn't perfect and no matter how much money you throw at it, you'll never have the original legs - so while it isn't worthless, it will never be worth anywhere near that kind of money.

Since it's already had the legs removed, I wouldn't concern myself with "Integrity" - just do whatever cleanup and fixes make it work for your home and your enjoyment.

Sure, why not paint little hearts on it? McCobb would have done the same, had he been a 12 year old girl.

Seriously, why not find some appropriate legs, clean it up and enjoy it? Your story about finding it will be better if it looks pretty much the same.

Congrats on your windfall, I think you should do whatever you want to it. Now, is it sitting on a raised surface, or are we looking over the arm of a chair or something? The former would be neat, and I would want to know what such a feature is called....

You're not "obligated" to do anything. It's a mass-produced credenza, not a lost child.

I suggest putting some sympathetic legs on it and giving it a good clean. The dings and paint splatters will give it character and history.

One thing you might consider here is that the Paul McCobb pieces for the Planner Group did not originally have attached leg bases, the attached legs were a later option as the years rolled on.

The 5' (l) x 18" 9w) x 9" (h) Planner Group bench would be a great option for you if you wished to maintain the integrity of the piece. These benches are frequently available on Ebay and there are some purists who say that the benches are the only way to go with Planner Group pieces.

All you would need to do is remove the remainder of the attached leg base and place the piece on a matching bench.
___________________________

Jonathan

http://paulmccobb.blogspot.com

Oh! And as far as color goes the Planner Group pieces were available in 35 different colors towards the end of their production... so historically there's absolutely nothing wrong with painting it a color.

___________________________

Jonathan

http://paulmccobb.blogspot.com

Thanks for all the advise!

@thorndale, that is exactly what the credenza was being used for when I found it!

Clean it up and stain it what ever color you like. I found a McCobb dining table at a thrift store for $10, it was in pretty rough shape, so i sanded it down to bare wood and put a few coats of satin poly on it. Now it looks amazing. There were a few people that were appalled that I would sand off the finish, and said that I had ruined it, but it cost me $10, and now I have a gorgeous table that I'm perfectly happy with.

i'd put it in an entry hall. not sure of dimensions and weight but can you mount it on a wall and use it for dishes in the dining room or kitchen, bath for extra supplies or family room for t.v. (flat screen of course).

don't know how sturdy the doors are but you could put molding on the inner part and then paint the molding. i'd definately retain the grass cloth, can you add grass cloth wallpaper or is it not sturdy enough?

do something with the pulls for opening. can you polish, replace or add to the existing pull that looks recessed. make it pop out, brass or black finish.

no legs looks fine to me.

What is your goal? Refinish and sell, or re-do and keep? If you're keeping it, follow your instinct and do what you want to do. It will be your piece, in your home, and should suit your taste. Good luck! Show us some pics when you're done.
~Tanya
dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com

I'd clean it up and leave it alone!

"I'd love to see this in a chocolate brown with a bold print on the front."

oh geez. when will this trend end? Sand it. clean it- sell it. or not.