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.
Mid century Paul McCobb #1560 Double Drawer Desk Black Lacquer with chair
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful vintage Paul McCobb planner group #1560 double drawer desk original Black Lacquer finish on maple with brass knobs. All solid maple wood. Desk is in great vintage condition...
Brass
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1560 Double Drawer Desk Blonde Maple Finish T pulls
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1560 double drawer desk blonde maple finish with steel T pull knobs solid maple. Desk has been professional refinished. Very beautiful designed d...
Steel
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-Century Paul McCobb #1560 Double Drawer Desk Blonde Maple Finish Brass Pulls
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1560 double drawer desk blonde maple finish with brass cone pull knobs solid maple. Desk is in good vintage condition. Very beautiful designed de...
Aluminum
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Desk, Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid maple, with original brass hard...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Writing Desk
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid maple, with original brass hard...
Brass
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1560 Double Drawer Desk Black Lacquer Finish
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb planner group #1560 double drawer desk Black Lacquer on maple with aluminum ring knobs solid maple. Desk is in great condition. Very beautiful designed desk on ...
Aluminum
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid maple, with original bras...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Writing Desk, Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black and white lacquered solid maple, with brass har...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desk and Chair Set, Birch and Laminate
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquer Double Pedestal Desk and Chair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern double pedestal executive writing desk and spindle back chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid bla...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Double Pedestal Desk, 1950s
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern double pedestal executive writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid black and white lacquered birch,...
Brass
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Modern Walnut Desk by Paul McCobb for Planner Group, c1960s
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Step back in time with this show-stopping vintage mid century walnut desk, artfully designed by the renowned Paul McCobb. This pi...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desk and Chair Set, Birch and Laminate
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
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Writing Desk and Chair
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk with matching desk chair. By Paul McCobb for Winchendon furniture, "Planner Group". USA, 1950s Black and white lacq...
Brass
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
$4,500 / set
H 29.13 in W 53 in D 25.63 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquer Double Pedestal Desk and Chair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern double pedestal executive writing desk and spindle back chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid bla...
Brass
$4,000
H 16 in Dm 36 in
Original Paul McCobb Planner Group Model 1580 Maple & Wrought Iron Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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
Paul McCobb Planner Group Desk in Tobacco Finish
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic mid-century modern double pedestal desk designed by Paul McCobb for the Planner Group, produced by Winchendon. Features clean lines, signature tapered legs, and ample storage...
Brass
Paul McCobb, Coffee Table, Maple, Iron, USA, 1950s
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in High Point, NC
A black-lacquered iron and maple coffee table designed by Paul McCobb and produced by Planner Group, USA, c. 1950s.
Iron
$4,900 / set
H 29.5 in W 48 in D 18.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Desk and Chair Set, Birch and Laminate
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
$4,600
H 30 in W 47.5 in D 23.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Bamboo Rattan Cane Two Drawers Brass Pulls Decorative Desk
By Ficks Reed, McGuire
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Bamboo Rattan Cane Two Drawers Brass Pulls Decorative Desk MINT.
Bamboo
Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron and Reed Side Table
By Planner Group, Winchendon, Paul McCobb
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
$4,495
H 29 in W 84.25 in D 36 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Extension Dining Table, Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern extension dining table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Maple, with black lacquered finish. Meas...
Maple, Lacquer
$3,995
H 28.75 in W 69 in D 36 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Dining Table, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern extension dining table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Maple, with black lacquered finish. Measures: 54...
Maple, Lacquer
$4,595 / set
H 29.25 in W 48 in D 24 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Writing Desk and Chair
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk with matching desk chair. By Paul McCobb for Winchendon furniture, "Planner Group". USA, 1950s Black and white lacq...
Brass
Four drawer lacquered wood panel desk
By Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Four drawer wood desk with ivory lacquered drawers and angular legs in the style of Gio Ponti.
Wood
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1560 Double Drawer Desk Black Lacquer Finish
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb planner group #1560 double drawer desk Black Lacquer on maple with aluminum ring knobs solid maple. Desk is in great condition. Very beautiful designed desk on ...
Aluminum
Sold
H 29.25 in W 47.75 in D 23.75 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Writing Desk
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid maple, with original brass hard...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Model 1560 Black Double Drawer Desk, 1950's
By Winchester Furniture, Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Classic Paul McCobb Planner Group for Winchendon Black Lacquer Desk. Featuring a rectangular frame with large smooth solid wood work surface, 2 spacious drawers, with 4 threaded dowe...
Metal, Enamel
Sold
H 29 in W 48 in D 24 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Solid Maple Writing Desk With Chair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk with chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple, with original brass hardware. Me...
Brass
Sold
H 29 in W 48 in D 24 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Solid Maple Writing Desk, 1950s
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple, with original brass hardware. Measures: 48"...
Brass
Sold
H 28.25 in W 48 in D 18.13 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Desk, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern four drawer writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black and white lacquered solid maple, wi...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Birch Corner Desk, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern solid birch corner desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 35.5"W x 35.5"D x 28.25"H. Good origi...
Brass
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1560 Double Drawer Desk tobacco / Black Finish
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb Planner Group #1560 double drawer desk maple tobacco finish and black lacquer drawers with brass knobs solid maple. Desk is in great original vintage condition....
Brass
Midcentury Paul McCobb #1560 Double Drawer Desk Black Lacquer Finish
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful Paul McCobb planner group #1560 double drawer desk Black Lacquer on maple with aluminum ring knobs solid maple. Desk is in great condition. Very beautiful designed desk on ...
Aluminum
Paul McCobb Planner Group Midcentury Desk
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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...
Brass
Sold
H 28.25 in W 48 in D 18.13 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Writing Desk and Chair
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk with matching chair By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black and white lacquered solid m...
Brass
Sold
H 29.25 in W 48 in D 24 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Writing Desk, Newly Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional minimalist Mid-Century Modern writing desk By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid maple, with original bras...
Brass