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.
Pair of Paul McCobb for Planner Group Arm Chairs Circa 1950s
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of ebonized "captains" armchairs by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture's Planner Group, circa 1950s.
Wood
Paul McCobb "Tub" High Back Lounge Chair Model 3045, Priced Low for Reupholstery
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare Paul McCobb "Tub" chair for the Planner Group. High back with cantilevered armrests and walnut legs. Important design in need of reupholstering and is priced accordingly. This is a great opportunity to get this chair for a low price...
Upholstery, Walnut
$2,230 / set
H 29.5 in W 17 in D 19 in
1950s Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Planner for Group Dining Chairs
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Charleston, SC
A set of four dining chairs Designed by Paul McCobb's iconic for Winchendon Furniture Planner Group series, manufactured from 1950-1964. These chairs have been professionally resto...
Maple
$3,746Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 35.25 in W 21 in D 19.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Dining Chairs Paul McCobb for Winchendon Set 5
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous set of five Mid-Century Modern Planner Group style #1534 dining chairs by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. Comprised of a dark walnut finished maple. They have been newly upholstered at some point in their recent past in a brown background fabric with chenille squiggly undulating lines in gold and turquoise or teal. Beautiful condition with age-appropriate wear as you would expect with vintage pieces. Two of the chair backs do have small nicks. One has been repaired. All chairs have been re-glued. We have used restore-a-finish on the original finish to bring back its original shine. Please see photos. Circa 1949-1964. Simply Amazing!! What a fabulous set of five Mid-Century Modern dining chairs! They are part of the Planner Group for Winchendon designed by internationally known and revered designer Paul McCobb. They are style number 1534, and they are comprised of a beautiful maple frame with a dark walnut finish. The foam seats are covered in a brown chenille fabric with raised fiber squiggly undulating lines in colors of gold and turquoise or maybe its teal. The fabric is so awesome it reminds us of a comfy chenille bedspread...
Fabric, Maple
$5,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 41.5 in W 30 in D 32 in
Paul McCobb for Directional 314 Model High Back Lounge Chair in Grey Velvet
By Paul McCobb, Directional
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now we have this absolutely gorgeous Paul McCobb for Directional, model 314 wingback lounge chair. This lounge chair is stunning-- very large in scale, and clad in fine cotton velvet that has a slight sheen. This gorgeous wingback was designed in the 1950's by Paul McCobb for Directional furniture, which is known for its high quality manufacturing. Many famed designers such as Milo Baughman, Paul Evans and even Vladimir Kagan have designed for Directional furniture, as it's truly a furniture dynasty producer of legacy furniture...
Velvet, Walnut
Danish High Back Leather Lounge Chair, 1960
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great Danish high back leather lounge chair in well-aged red leather with down cushions and teak legs.
Leather, Teak
$10,933 / set
H 32.68 in W 28.75 in D 32.68 in
Outstanding, Rare Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s, For Reupholstery
By Ico Parisi, Gio Ponti, Carlo Mollino
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An extraordinary, rare pair of Italian 1950s armchairs. Structurally sound, but the original upholstery is worn out so the chairs are sold for the customer to recover in their own c...
Wood, Fabric
$2,000 / set
H 32 in W 19 in D 18 in
4 Mid-Century Paul McCobb Planner Group Dining Chairs Maple Spindle Back Chairs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of 4 All original midcentury maple Paul McCobb Planner Group spindle back side chairs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vintage condition. Original blon...
Maple
1950's Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Planner Group Sofa
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage Midcentury Modern sofa for sale. Designed by Paul McCobb in the 1950's, and part of the Planner Group series. This couch was professionally restored, and is in showroom condi...
Fabric, Wood
$2,850
H 30.5 in W 48.5 in D 33.5 in
1950s Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Loveseat Settee or Sofa
By Paul McCobb
Located in St. Louis, MO
Paul McCobb for Planner Group loveseat, settee or sofa. Upholstery needs to be updated as it has stains, foam is good. Price includes refinishing of legs. Measures: Seat 16" H, arm 1...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,000
H 34 in W 28 in D 31 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Model 1321 Lounge Chair in Walnut & Light Upholstery
By Directional, Paul McCobb
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Paul McCobb, this chair was manufactured by Directional, who was one of many partners that McCobb worked with. A prolific designer, this chair is one of the best models o...
Upholstery, Walnut
$4,795 / set
H 30.25 in W 21.5 in D 21 in
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner group mid century dining chairs - set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 20.25 wide x 19 deep x 30.25 high, with a seat height of 18 inches Each captains c...
Wood
$1,200
H 30.75 in W 22 in D 22 in
Paul McCobb Authentic Furniture Products Sweden Captains Arm Chair Planner Group
By Paul McCobb
Located in Forest Grove, PA
An "Authentic Furniture Products" captain's chair made in Sweden and designed by Paul McCobb. Slightly different than the Planner Group Captain's chair, the information we have found...
Maple
$2,459 / set
H 36.23 in W 28.15 in D 31.11 in
Nino Zoncada Attributed Lounge Chairs, Italy, 1950s, for Reupholstery
By Marco Zanuso, Nino Zoncada
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An pair of Nino Zoncada attriuted lounge chairs, Italy, 1950s. The fabric has marks and the filling is slightly tired so these chairs are sold for reupholstery by the customer in the...
Brass
Captain's Chairs by Paul McCobb for Planner Group
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in New York, NY
Paul McCobb Planner Group Captain arm chairs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Solid maple seat and curved back on tapered legs. Original vintage condition.
Maple
Sold
H 31 in W 21.75 in D 22.25 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Spindle Back Armchairs, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern solid maple spindle back armchairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 21.75" W x ...
Maple
Sold
H 29.75 in W 21 in D 21.5 in
Set Four Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple Captains Chairs, Model 1532
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Classic set of four Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" maple dining armchairs, 1950s. Featuring steamed bent maple arms and pegged construction. Arm height 25.5 H. ...
Maple
Sold
H 29.75 in W 21 in D 21.5 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Spindle Back Armchairs, Set of Four
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare set of four Mid-Century Modern solid maple armchairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 21"W x 21.5"D x 29.75"H. Seat height...
Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Spindle Back Armchairs, Pair
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare pair of Mid-Century Modern solid maple captain armchairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 21"...
Maple
Paul McCobb Club Chairs for Planner Group, Pair
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Wilton, CT
A restoration with flair. A pair of club chairs designed by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, a design wonderfully executed. The proportions of this chair are quite generous yet visuall...
Velvet, Wood
Sold
H 30.91 in W 21.86 in L 30.91 in
Stained Solid Maple "Planner Group" Paul McCobb Armchair for Winchendon
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Mid-Century Modern, maple wood, spindle back, windsor style chair by Paul McCobb for Planner Group in restored condition.
Maple
Solid Maple "Planner Group" Paul McCobb Armchair for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Berlin, DE
Mid-Century Modern, maple wood, spindle back, windsor style chair by Paul McCobb for Planner Group in restored condition.
Set of Four Paul McCobb Planner Group Chairs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Set of four circa 1952 Paul McCobb Planner Group for Winchendon birch armchairs. With a saddled seat, curved crest rail and angled tapered legs.
Birch
Paul McCobb Lounge Chairs for Winchendon, Planner Group Series
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Paul McCobb. Manufacturer: Winchendon. Period and model: Mid-Century Modern, Planner Group Series. Specifications: Maple (possibly walnut), caning, fabric. Conditio...
Cane, Fabric, Maple
Pair of Paul McCobb Dark Maple Modern Windsor Style Armchairs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Paul McCobb for the Planner Group maple wood arm chairs refinished in dark walnut. Modern take on the traditional style Windsor chair, barrel back with the McCobb "shovel" se...
Maple
Paul McCobb Lounge Chairs for Winchendon, Planner Group Series
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Paul McCobb. Manufacturer: Winchendon. Period and model: Mid-Century Modern, Planner Group Series. Specifications: Maple, caning, fabric. Condition: These Paul M...
Maple, Cane, Fabric