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.
Modernist Drop leaf Planner Group Bar Cart Table by Paul McCobb . wood & iron
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare Midcentury bar cart #1250 designed by Paul McCobb for planner group collection, circa 1950. Featuring one dove-tail drawer and 2 fold down leaves. Retains Original finish / pati...
Iron
Beautifully Refinished Paul McCobb Planner Group Coffee Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful solid wood coffee table. From the Planner Group line designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture Company. Retains original manufacturer’s label and guaranteed authenti...
Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron and Reed Side Table
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in New Windsor, NY
Planner Group side table designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. Circa 1955. Featuring a birch top, iron frame and split reed lower shelf. Good overall honest wear and overall condit...
Iron
$4,500
H 30.25 in W 40 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb for Directional Black Lacquered Flip Top Server Bar Cart, Refinished
By Directional, Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern flip top extension rolling bar cart server By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Calvin Group" USA, 1950s Black lacqu...
Brass
$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
$3,696Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.03 in Dm 36.23 in
Low Planner Group Coffee Table by Paul McCobb for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Berlin, DE
A rare low round Planner Group coffee table by Paul McCobb, in excellent condition in clear maple.
Maple
$1,500
H 20 in W 36 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron & Tobacco Finish Birch Higher Coffee Table, Bench
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Early Paul McCobb Winchendon Planner Group high Coffee Table, Bench. Bed End Bench. Nightstand, 1950s. Featuring an open sturdy rectangular, braced thre...
Iron
1950's Paul McCobb Planner Group Desk & Chair Set
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Southampton, NJ
A striking Paul McCobb four drawer desk and matching chair set with white laminate top. All original 1950's from the Planner Group series, this scarcely seen set with original tag ha...
Brass
$4,000
H 16 in Dm 36 in
Original Paul McCobb Planner Group Model 1580 Maple & Wrought Iron Coffee Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Vintage Paul McCobb Planner Group for Winchendon Model 1580 Maple & Iron Coffee Table. Featuring a professionally refinished sturdy, balanced and Black enameled Wrought Iron x fr...
Iron
$2,395
H 29 in W 56.5 in D 36 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Drop Leaf Dining Table, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern solid maple drop-leaf dining table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 56.5"W x 36"D x 29"H....
Maple
Paul McCobb Travertine, Mahogany and Brass Bar Cart
By Paul McCobb
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate your home decor with this exquisite brass and mahogany bar cart by Paul McCobb, exclusively designed for the discerning mid-century modern enthusiast. Featuring a luxurious t...
Travertine, Metal
$2,495
H 22.25 in W 28 in D 20 in
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Maple and Wrought Iron Side Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Maple and Wrought Iron Side Table This side table measures: 28 wide x 20 deep x 22.25 inches high We take our photos in a controlled light...
Wrought Iron
$1,995
H 29.5 in W 56.5 in D 36 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Drop Leaf Dining Table, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern solid maple drop-leaf dining table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 56.5"W x 36"D x 29.5"H. Wit...
Maple
Sold
H 29.64 in W 30 in D 18 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Maple and Iron Flip Top Bar Cart in Dark Ebony
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Planner Group black stained maple bar cart, painted black iron frame with expandable top, shelves and single drawer in natural maple. Each leaf is 6". ...
Iron
Sold
H 29.53 in W 29.93 in D 30.71 in
Paul McCobb Maple or Black and Wrought Iron Bar Cart Planner Group
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
Paul McCobb bar cart with iron frame and expandable top, shelves and drawer in maple. Each leaf is 6". The top is 18" x 30" and the height is 29 5/8ths.
Wrought Iron