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 Model 1531 Dining Chair for Planner Group & Winchendon Furniture
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a Model 1531 Dining Chair, originally designed by Paul McCobb for Planner Group and Winchendon. This particular example dates to the 1950s. The chair's design is comprised en...
Maple
$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 Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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
$4,995 / set
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 Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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
4x Planner Group Paul McCobb chairs, United States, 1950s
By Planner Group, Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Nashville, TN
Item Details: 4x spindle-back dining chairs Creator: Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture Planner Group Series, labeled ...
Maple, Wood
$840
H 30.5 in W 21.5 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb Model 1530 Mid-Century Modern Chair, Early Winchendon Label
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Paul McCobb Model 1530 Mid-Century Modern Chair, Retains early Winchendon Modern label. Pre Planner Group. Wonderful original condition, color, finish, patina. Functional Art...
Wood, Maple
Pair of Paul McCobb for Planner Group Arm Chairs Circa 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Peabody, MA
Pair of ebonized "captains" armchairs by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture's Planner Group, circa 1950s.
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
$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
$2,250 / set
H 30 in W 22 in D 22 in
Pair Planner Group Arm Chairs by Paul McCobb for the Planner Group, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of Paul McCobb Planner Group Arm Chairs. Solid Maple construction with original black lacquer finish. Original condition with wear. Structurally sound and ready to use.
Maple
$6,895 / set
H 33.5 in W 18.5 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb "Planner Group" Iron & Maple Dining Chairs for Winchendon Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb "Planner Group" iron and maple dining chairs for Winchendon Furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is ...
Iron
Dining Chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller, 1950s
By George Nelson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An early dining chair by George Nelson for Herman Miller, having tubular zinc-plated frames with floating upholstered seats and backs.
Steel
$7,500 / set
H 35.25 in W 20.75 in D 19 in
Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb "Bowtie" Dining Chairs for Winchendon Furniture
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb "Bowtie" dining chairs for Winchendon Furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history ...
Leather, Foam, Walnut
Sold
H 34.25 in W 18.25 in D 21 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple and Iron "Shovel" Side Chair, Fully Restored
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern "shovel" dining chair, desk chair, or side chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid maple seat an...
Iron
Sold
H 34.25 in W 18.25 in D 21 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple and Iron "Shovel" Side Chairs, Fully Restored
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern "shovel" dining chairs or side chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid maple seats and ...
Iron
Sold
H 31.25 in W 19.25 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Solid Maple Spindle Back Side Chair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous minimalist Mid-Century Modern solid maple spindle back side chair, dining chair, or desk chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measu...
Maple
Sold
H 33.75 in W 18.25 in D 17.5 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Maple and Iron "Shovel" Chair, 1950s
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern "shovel" dining chair or side chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted black lacquered solid mapl...
Iron
Sold
H 34.75 in W 19 in D 19 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Birch and Cane Dining Chairs or Side Chairs, Pair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern side chairs or dining chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid birch, with ca...
Upholstery, Cane, Birch
Sold
H 34.75 in W 19 in D 19 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs or Side Chairs, Pair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern side chairs or dining chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid birch, with ca...
Upholstery, Cane, Birch
Paul McCobb Black Lacquered Shovel Chair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic, mid-century modern black lacquered, dining, side chair designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture features a scooped maple "shovel" seat with matching spindle ladder ba...
Wrought Iron
Paul McCobb Maple and Iron "Shovel" Chairs, Newly Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional set of four mid-century modern "shovel" dining chairs or side chairs By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid maple ...
Iron
Paul McCobb Maple and Iron "Shovel" Chair, Newly Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern "shovel" dining chair or side chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Sculpted solid maple seat and back s...
Iron
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Spindle Back Armchair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
Offering a rare and beautiful Mid-Century Modern captain armchair designed by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group line for Winchendon Furniture. The chair features solid maple construc...
Maple
Set of Four Paul McCobb Planner Group Dining Chairs, 1950s
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Paul McCobb Planner Group for Winchendon set of four 1534 Maple Side Chairs. Featuring fine American Mid-Century Modern design, graceful lines, comfort and sturdy support. With origi...
Maple
Sold
H 29.5 in W 17 in L 29.5 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Spindle Back Dining Chair, Restored
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
Gorgeous and iconic Mid-Century Modern spindle back dining chairs Designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple and black lacquer ...
Maple, Lacquer