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Planner Group

American

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.

Midcentury Paul McCobb Single Bookcase #1516 on Iron Base
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Vintage midcentury Paul McCobb single bookcase #1516 solid maple with original walnut finish on an Iron base. Beautiful bookcase by Paul McCobb circa 1950s Planner Group, single cent...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group

Materials

Iron

Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Solid Birch Dresser, Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern eight-drawer dresser, credenza, or chest of drawers By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid birch, with or...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Birch Sliding Door Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A 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

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group

Materials

Birch

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Lounge Chair, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern club chair or lounge chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered walnut frame, with upholstered seat an...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut, Lacquer

Pair of Midcentury Paul McCobb Single Drawer #1500 Nightstands Blonde T Pulls
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful pair of Paul McCobb planner group #1500 maple nightstands end tables single drawer. Black T pull knobs. Blonde finish on maple. Very modern designed pair of nightstands wit...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group

Materials

Steel

Midcentury Paul McCobb Small Single Drawer Nightstands Brass Knobs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Simple pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group maple nightstands lamp tables single drawer Planner Group brass knobs Minimalist original Tobacco blonde finish. Very delicate geometric desi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Writing Desk
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid maple, with original brass hard...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Birch Dresser or Chest of Drawers, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern six-drawer dresser or chest of drawers By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, Circa 1950s Solid birch, with original ...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group

Materials

Brass

Browse all Furniture from Planner Group
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Planner Group Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2025$5,395Dressers, CredenzasSteel, Iron, Maple1950s
2025$2,300Bookcases, ShelvesIron, Maple, Walnut1950s
2025$4,450Night Stands, End TablesSteel, Maple, Lacquer1950s
2025$1,305Beds and Bed FramesBrass, Maple, Walnut1950s
2025$3,505DressersWoodUnknown
2025$5,200Credenzas, DressersIron, Maple1950s
2025$1,450Side TablesIron, Wood, Maple1950s
2025$3,296Dressers, Bedroom SetsBrass, Birch, Lacquer1955
2025$2,082Cabinets, DressersBrass, Wood1950s
2025$6,000Shelves, Shelves and Wall CabinetsBrass, Maple, Lacquer1960s
2025$3,500Night Stands, End TablesBrass, Birch, Lacquer1950s
2025$2,155CabinetsBrass, Maple, LacquerCirca 1950s
2024$4,150Commodes and Chests of Drawers, Night StandsMaple1950s
2024$2,400Desks and Writing TablesMetal, Enamel, Wood1950s
2024$1,000ChairsMaple1950s
2024$3,300ArmchairsMaple1960s
2024$5,000DressersBrass, Birch1950s
2024$2,760Night Stands, End TablesBrass, Maple1950s
2024$2,500Tables, Desks and Writing TablesMaple, Aluminum1950s
2024$1,295BookcasesSteel, Birch1950s
$2,973
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$900-$7,800
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Planner Group

Planner Group furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Planner Group furniture 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 Planner Group furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Planner Group were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by John Widdicomb, American of Martinsville, and Paul Frankl. Prices for Planner Group furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $495 and can go as high as $16,199, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,450.

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