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.
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Dining Table, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern extension dining table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Maple, with black lacquered finish. Measures: 54...
Maple, Lacquer
Mid-Century Modern Credenza by Paul McCobb for Planner Group #1513
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Time capsule condition low credenza/hutch by Paul McCobb for The Planner Group. Model #1513. Mostly solid wood construction with some veneer on the trim. A nice rich walnut finish. T...
Glass, Wood
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Writing Desk and Chair
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk with matching desk chair. By Paul McCobb for Winchendon furniture, "Planner Group". USA, 1950s Black and white lacq...
Brass
Paul McCobb for Planner Group MCM Blond or Ebony Maple Three-Drawer Chest
By Winchendon, Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Single Paul McCobb Planner Group chest / dressers for Winchendon. Three drawers with solid brass cone pulls on angled tapered legs. The chest is shown sold, but have another in a mor...
Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Dining or Game Table, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern game table or dining table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid birch. Measures: 32"W x 32"...
Birch, Lacquer
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquer Double Pedestal Desk and Chair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern double pedestal executive writing desk and spindle back chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid bla...
Brass
Set of Eight Stained Maple Dining Chairs by Paul McCobb for Perimeter
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of eight stained maple dining chairs designed by Paul McCobb for his Perimeter Group and manufactured by Winchendon Furniture (circa 1957). Shapely backrests and long tapered leg...
Leather, Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Drop Leaf Dining Table, Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern black lacquered solid maple drop-leaf dining table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 56.25"W x ...
Maple, Lacquer
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Square Coffee Table, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern square coffee table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group". USA, 1950s. Solid birch, with black lacquered finish. Measure...
Birch, Lacquer
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Ebonized 6 Drawer Dresser
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Ebonized 6 Drawer Dresser This dresser measures: 48 wide x 18 deep x 33.25 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - Finish on Dresser is Heavi...
Wood
Paul McCobb Planner Group White Lacquer and Brass Twin Headboards, Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern twin headboards By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s White lacquered maple, with brass spindles. Meas...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Writing Desk, Refinished
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 and white lacquered solid maple, with brass har...
Brass
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Vintage Paul McCobb Iron Rod Planner Group Side Table Abstract Midcentury
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Hyattsville, MD
The early 1950s lesser seen end table model from the Planner Group. Beauty through function and cost-effective materials. The Planner Group Line by Paul McCobb, Model#1305 table, Win...
Iron
Mid-Century Coffee Table by Paul McCobb for Planner Group
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Raleigh, NC
Mid-century minimalistic coffee table designed by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, USA. This low-profile coffee table is made from beautifully crafted solid maple wood. Flared long leg...
Wood, Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Chicago, IL
Clean-lined coffee table by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. Solid rock maple top with four conical legs.
Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Cabinet on Bench for Winchendon
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare combination of a green and black McCobb Cabinet on a white McCobb Bench. Original very good condition with some lacquer chips.
Maple
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Bench Coffee Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Bench Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 48 wide x 18.25 deep x 15 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call re...
Wood
Paul McCobb Planer Group Maple Wrought Iron Side Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Minimal, mid century modern, side table by Paul McCobb for Planner Group features a wrought iron frame with graduated tiers of maple and slat maple. The lower tier is 6.5 inches heig...
Wrought Iron
Coffee Table by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Textbook mid-century modern style and quality from one of America's most legendary designers, Paul McCobb. Made of top quality maple for the Planner Group by the Winchendon Furniture Company, this coffee table is sure to provide practical style...
Maple
Nicely Refinished Paul McCobb for Winchedon Planner Group Blond Chest of Drawers
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Ferndale, MI
Nicely refinished McCobb for Winchendon blonde maple chest of drawers with aluminum ring pulls . Early branded mark inside drawer.
Aluminum
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Winchendon Modular Ebonized Maple Dresser
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern, modular dresser system by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, Winchendon features two 24 x 18 x 8.5 inch dressers with signature aluminu...
Aluminum
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Square Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group mid century square coffee table Coffee table measures: 32 wide x 32 deep x 20.25 high All piec...
Wood
Paul McCobb Coffee Table for Planner Group by Winchendon
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic and clean-lined, this vintage two-tone coffee table was designed by Paul McCobb for his iconic Planner Group series by Winchendon Furniture. Crafted from solid maple with McC...
Maple, Wood, Hardwood
Desk Organizer by Paul McCobb for Winchendon, 1949
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A small table top maple storage unit with two drawers supported by a black steel frame base. This desk organizer is a product from the Planner Group, a coordinated contemporary furni...
Steel