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Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

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
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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Midcentury Paul McCobb #1560 Double Drawer Desk Blonde Maple Finish T pulls
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Steel

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Midcentury Desk by Paul McCobb, Planner Group
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Classic midcentury desk designed by Paul McCobb for Winchendon's "Planner Group". Maple wood construction, with tapered and splayed legs. Would make a great addition to any modern in...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Maple

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Double Pedestal Desk, 1950s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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,...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Writing Desk for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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 and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Walnut Desk by Paul McCobb, c1960s
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Writing Desk and Chair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Extension Dining Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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Beautiful early 1950s Paul McCobb solid maple extention dining table on 4 squared tapered legs. Stunning solid maple tabletop with a slight taper on each end that has a tobacco semi ...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

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Beautifully Refinished Paul McCobb Planner Group Coffee Table
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Paul McCobb Planner Group Iron and Reed Side Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Garnerville, 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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

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Mid-Century Modern Paul McCobb Coffee Table
By Paul McCobb
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This stunning vintage modern maple coffee table features a rectangular top with splayed and tapered legs underneath. A stylish design by Paul McCo...
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1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

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Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Coffee Table
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Located in Countryside, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group mid century coffee table The table measures: 60 wide x 18 deep x 15 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintag...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Nightstands, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern single drawer nightstands or end tables. By Paul McCobb for Winchendon furniture, "Planner Group". USA, 1950s. Black lacquered...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

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Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Extension Dining Table, Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
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...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

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Maple, Lacquer

Paul McCobb Writing Desk for Winchendon
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
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 and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Writing Desk for Winchendon
Paul McCobb Writing Desk for Winchendon
H 29.25 in W 48 in D 19 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Nightstand, Newly Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern nightstand or side table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple, with original brass drawer pu...
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Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquered Dining Table, 1950s
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Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern extension drop leaf dining table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple construction with blac...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

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Maple, Lacquer

Previously Available Items
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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

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...
Category

1950s American Scandinavian Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

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...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

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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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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"...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Desk, Newly Refinished
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Birch Corner Desk, 1950s
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

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....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Paul McCobb Planner Group Midcentury Desk
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Countryside, 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 and Writing Tables

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Brass

Paul McCobb Planner Group Black and White Lacquered Writing Desk and Chair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

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...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Planner Group Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Brass

Planner Group desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Planner Group desks and writing tables 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 and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks and writing tables 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 and writing tables by Drexel, Dunbar, and Pierre Paulin. Prices for Planner Group desks and writing tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,820 and can go as high as $4,595, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,450.

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