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Planner Group Desks

American

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.

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Creator: Planner Group
Rare Midcentury Paul McCobb 1562 Drop Lid Desk with Organizer Maple T Pulls
Rare Midcentury Paul McCobb 1562 Drop Lid Desk with Organizer Maple T Pulls

Rare Midcentury Paul McCobb 1562 Drop Lid Desk with Organizer Maple T Pulls

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Beautiful Paul McCobb planner group #1562 drop lid desk with Rare organizer inside and adjustable glass shelf blonde maple finish T-pulls all solid maple. Flip down front door is des...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks

Materials

Steel

Mid century Paul McCobb #1561 5 Drawer Desk Red Lacquer Finish Brass Pulls
Mid century Paul McCobb #1561 5 Drawer Desk Red Lacquer Finish Brass Pulls

Mid century Paul McCobb #1561 5 Drawer Desk Red Lacquer Finish Brass Pulls

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1561 double pedestal 5 drawer desk with a Red Stained finish Brass knobs solid maple. Desk is in vintage condition shows signs of use and wear. V...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Tobacco Desk
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Tobacco Desk

Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Tobacco Desk

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Tobacco Desk This desk measures: 48 wide x 18.25 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 23.5 inches Good Vintage Condition - Desk has M...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks

Materials

Wood

Paul McCobb Winchendon Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Desk in Dark Espresso
Paul McCobb Winchendon Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Desk in Dark Espresso

Paul McCobb Winchendon Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Desk in Dark Espresso

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in St. Louis, MO

Paul McCobb Planner Group desk shown in dark espresso stain, with bank of drawers with polished tapered brass pulls on left side and two tapered angular dowel legs on the right, To b...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks

Materials

Brass

Rare Midcentury Paul McCobb #1562 Drop Lid Desk with Organizer Maple Black Brass
Rare Midcentury Paul McCobb #1562 Drop Lid Desk with Organizer Maple Black Brass

Rare Midcentury Paul McCobb #1562 Drop Lid Desk with Organizer Maple Black Brass

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Beautiful Paul McCobb planner group #1562 drop lid desk with Rare organizer inside and adjustable glass shelf in original Black Lacquer finish brass cone pulls all solid maple. Flip ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks

Materials

Brass

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Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Black Lacquer Low Credenza
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Beautiful mid-century low credenza by Paul McCobb circa 1950 Planner Group. 1 adjustable shelve with pins. Solid maple construction with an original black lacquer finish. White cloth sliding front doors with brass finger...

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Paul McCobb for Planner Group MCM Blond or Ebony Maple Three-Drawer Chest
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Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Record Cabinet With Sliding Doors
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Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza, Newly Refinished
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2 Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid Century Bookcases for Winchendon
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Architect Designed Bespoke Walnut Mid Century Desk Single Drawer
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Stylish Mid-Century Small Bookcase by Paul McCobb for Planner Group
Stylish Mid-Century Small Bookcase by Paul McCobb for Planner Group

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$1,160Sale Price|20% Off

H 33.5 in W 36 in D 12 in

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Midcentury Paul McCobb #1561 5 Drawer Desk Blonde Maple Finish Brass Pulls
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1561 5 Drawer Desk Blonde Maple Finish Brass Pulls

Midcentury Paul McCobb #1561 5 Drawer Desk Blonde Maple Finish Brass Pulls

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Located in Brooklyn, NY

Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1561 double pedestal 5 drawer desk blonde maple finish Brass knobs solid maple. Desk is in original vintage condition. Very beautiful designed de...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks

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Mid-Century Paul McCobb Model #1560 Writing Desk and Chair
Mid-Century Paul McCobb Model #1560 Writing Desk and Chair

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By Paul McCobb, Planner Group, George Nelson

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Mid-century writing desk model #1560 and chair both designed by Paul McCobb, circa 1950s. Part of McCobb's iconic Planner Group series, this desk embodies the clean lines and minima...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks

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Paul McCobb Planner Group Writing Desk
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Paul McCobb Planner Group Writing Desk

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Paul McCobb writing desk from the Planner Group Collection for Winchedon, c.1950s. This maple desk features two drawers with rounded black enamel knobs resting on two dowel legs. The...

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Paul McCobb Planner Group Midcentury Desk

Paul McCobb Planner Group Midcentury Desk

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Located in Franklin Park, IL

Paul McCobb planner group midcentury desk This desk measures: 48 wide x 18.25 deep x 29 high, with a chair clearance of 23.5 inches All pieces of furniture can be had in what w...

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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks

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Paul McCobb Planner Group Drop Front Desk with Sliding Door Credenza, Refinished
Paul McCobb Planner Group Drop Front Desk with Sliding Door Credenza, Refinished

Paul McCobb Planner Group Drop Front Desk with Sliding Door Credenza, Refinished

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in South Bend, IN

A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern drop front secretary desk cabinet with a lower sliding door credenza. By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid maple, with white grass cloth sliding doors and original brass hardware. Measures: 36"W x 15.25"D x 46.18"H. Desk height...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks

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Paul McCobb Planner Group Midcentury Modern Secretary Desk with Grasscloth Doors
Paul McCobb Planner Group Midcentury Modern Secretary Desk with Grasscloth Doors

Paul McCobb Planner Group Midcentury Modern Secretary Desk with Grasscloth Doors

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Decatur, GA

Stellar Paul McCobb model 1564-b drop down desk with moss green grasscloth sliding doors, circa 1953. This example is unique on the market currently. Desirable inset splayed tapered ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Drop Front Desk with Sliding Door Credenza, Refinished
Paul McCobb Planner Group Drop Front Desk with Sliding Door Credenza, Refinished

Paul McCobb Planner Group Drop Front Desk with Sliding Door Credenza, Refinished

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in South Bend, IN

A rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern drop front secretary desk cabinet with a lower sliding door credenza By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 195...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks

Materials

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Paul McCobb Winchendon Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Desk in Dark Espresso
Paul McCobb Winchendon Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Desk in Dark Espresso

Paul McCobb Winchendon Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Desk in Dark Espresso

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in St. Louis, MO

Paul McCobb Planner Group desk shown in dark espresso stain, with bank of drawers with polished tapered brass pulls on left side and two tapered angular dowel legs on the right, To be refinished in dark espresso finish, the desk shown is sold, so custom color options are available. Please allow several weeks for refinishing. Paul McCobb Winchendon branded Label on outside of drawer. Lower Drawer inside dims. 12.25"w x 15.75" s x 9.75" h, small file...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Paul McCobb #1567 Four Drawer Desk Blonde Maple Finish Brass Pulls
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1567 Four Drawer Desk Blonde Maple Finish Brass Pulls

Midcentury Paul McCobb #1567 Four Drawer Desk Blonde Maple Finish Brass Pulls

By Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1567 four drawer desk blonde maple finish brass pulls solid maple. Desk is in original vintage condition. Very be...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks

Materials

Brass

Rare Midcentury Paul McCobb #1562 Drop Lid Desk W/Organizer Maple T Pulls
Rare Midcentury Paul McCobb #1562 Drop Lid Desk W/Organizer Maple T Pulls

Rare Midcentury Paul McCobb #1562 Drop Lid Desk W/Organizer Maple T Pulls

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in BROOKLYN, NY

Beautiful Paul McCobb planner group #1562 drop lid desk with Rare organizer inside and adjustable glass shelf blonde maple finish T-pulls all solid maple...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks

Materials

Steel

Paul McCobb Planner Group Drop Front Desk with Sliding Door Credenza, Refinished
Paul McCobb Planner Group Drop Front Desk with Sliding Door Credenza, Refinished

Paul McCobb Planner Group Drop Front Desk with Sliding Door Credenza, Refinished

By Planner Group, Paul McCobb

Located in South Bend, IN

A rare and exceptional mid-century modern drop front secretary desk cabinet with a lower sliding door credenza By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 195...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks

Materials

Grasscloth, Maple, Lacquer

Planner Group desks for sale on 1stDibs.

Planner Group desks are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Planner Group desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Planner Group were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Florence Knoll, Dunbar, and Knoll. Prices for Planner Group desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,610 and can go as high as $9,950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,200.