Planner Group Desk Accessories
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.
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desk Accessories
Steel
1970s Italian Modern Vintage Planner Group Desk Accessories
Plastic
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desk Accessories
Teak
Early 19th Century English George IV Antique Planner Group Desk Accessories
Mahogany
1970s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desk Accessories
Wood
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desk Accessories
Ceramic
Late 20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desk Accessories
Walnut
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desk Accessories
Cherry
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Adirondack Planner Group Desk Accessories
Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Planner Group Desk Accessories
Oak
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Planner Group Desk Accessories
Brass
Mid-20th Century Modern Planner Group Desk Accessories
Marble
Mid-18th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Antique Planner Group Desk Accessories
Rattan
