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
Mid century Paul McCobb #1561 5 Drawer Desk Red Lacquer Finish Brass Pulls
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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
Rare Midcentury Paul McCobb 1562 Drop Lid Desk with 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. Flip down front door is des...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks
Materials
Steel
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1561 5 Drawer Desk Blonde Maple Finish Brass Pulls
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
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 conditio...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Paul McCobb Model #1560 Writing Desk and Chair
By Paul McCobb, George Nelson, Planner Group
Located in Raleigh, NC
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks
Materials
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Rare Midcentury Paul McCobb #1562 Drop Lid Desk with Organizer Maple Black Brass
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 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
Paul McCobb Writing Desk for Winchendon
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Mid-Century Modern writing desk by Paul McCobb features a wonderful maple finish with unique brass drawer pulls. Tapered legs and spacious four drawer design make this a stylish...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks
Materials
Brass
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1567 Four Drawer Desk Maple Black Finish Brass Pulls
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1567 four drawer desk solid maple black finish brass pulls solid maple. Desk is in original vintage condition. Ve...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks
Materials
Brass
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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.