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 Sectional Corner Sofa Custom Craft/ Planner Group Newly Upholstered
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb, Custom Craft Inc.
Located in Berlin, DE
Sectional corner sofa by Paul McCobb for Custom craft or Planner Group, US. Newly upholstered with fabric by Chase Erwin.
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$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
$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 Planner Group, Paul McCobb
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
$4,050
H 16.5 in W 60 in D 24 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron and Maple Coffee Table, Newly Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern coffee table or bench By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Iron frame and solid maple top, with black lacquered drawers...
Iron
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
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
$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
Unavailable|$6,495 / set
H 30 in W 136 in D 73 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Sectional Sofa - Jack Lenor Larsen Primavera Velvet
By Jack Lenor Larsen, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Directional midcentury sectional sofa with Jack Lenor Larsen Primavera Velvet Fabric This sofa measures: 136 wide x 73 deep x 30 inch...
Upholstery, Wood, Velvet
Bespoke Yellow Mohair Velvet Upholstered Sectional Sofa
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Plush bespoke two-piece sectional sofa from a Samantha Todhunter Design installation. The sofa features a large hardwood frame upholstered with a dramatic canary yellow mohair velvet...
Fabric, Hardwood
$14,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 122 in D 96 in
Vintage Preview Sectional, Newly Upholstered in Maharam Wool Hopsack
By Preview
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s, fully reupholstered in Maharam wool Hopsack. This sofa is in excellent condition
Wool
$2,880Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32 in W 19 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Paul McCobb Planner Group Dining Chairs Maple Spindle Back Chairs
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of 6 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
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Sectional Sofa
By Craft Associates, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates Sectional Sofa Sectional consist of 6 pieces plus two ottomans. Multiple sections of sofa retain Craft Assoc. labels. Each ottoman measures- 3...
Upholstery
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 2 Piece 4-Seat Sectional Sofa
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century 2-piece 4-seat sectional sofa Each piece is 51 wide x 32 deep x 31 inches high, and a total combined width of 102; the seat height is 17.5 ...
Upholstery, Wood