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.
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Extension Dinette Table, Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern extension dinette table or game table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple construction, wi...
Maple, Lacquer
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 Paul McCobb, Winchendon, 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
Classic Modern Paul McCobb Extension Dining Table / 42"round - 72" oval
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Modernist Extension Dining Table designed by Paul McCobb ,,, part or the "Planner Group", Wonderful figured walnut, Very versatile,Measures 42" round .Comes with two 15" le...
Walnut
$2,070Sale Price|40% Off
H 29 in W 36 in D 54 in
Midcentury Paul McCobb Planner Group Solid Maple Extension Dining Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
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 ...
Maple
Pair of Rare Paul McCobb Nightstands for Planner Group
By Planner Group, Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of highly desirable and rare Paul McCobb nightstands from his Planner Group collection for Winchendon, c.1950s. The pair features an exposed wrought iron frame, single maple dra...
Iron
$2,520Sale Price|30% Off
H 29 in W 36 in D 54 in
Mid century Paul McCobb Planner Group rectangle Maple 1522 Dining Table 2 leaves
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful early 1950s Paul McCobb maple dining table #1522 with 4 tapered legs and dowel supports. Original maple tabletop with a blonde tobacco finish in good vintage condition. Leg...
Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Expanding Dining Table
By Paul McCobb
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Paul McCobb Mid-Century Modern dining table. A stunning table designed by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group line for Winchendon Furniture featuring a sleek midcentury design, a uniqu...
Maple
Maple Extension Dining Table by Paul McCobb, Planner Group
By Winchendon, Paul McCobb
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Maple extension dining table by Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group". Table with both inserts measure 60" wide. Each extension is 10" wide. Table without extension i...
Wood, Maple
$3,780Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.03 in Dm 36.23 in
Low Planner Group Coffee Table by Paul McCobb for Winchendon
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Berlin, DE
A rare low round Planner Group coffee table by Paul McCobb, in excellent condition in clear maple.
Maple
$3,900 / set
H 29 in W 32 in D 32 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Dinette Set, Classic Modern.. Great "smaller" Size
By Paul McCobb, Winchendon
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful little set...Mid-Century Modern square dining or game table with four chairs designed by Paul McCobb / Planner Group line for Winchendon Furniture. The table and chairs ret...
Birch
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Side Table - Pair
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Planner Group Mid Century Side Table - Pair Each side table measures: 19 wide x 26.5 deep x 20 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restor...
Brass
Paul McCobb Planner Group Coffee Table
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Chicago, IL
Clean-lined coffee table by Paul McCobb for Winchendon. Solid rock maple top with four conical legs.
Maple
Paul McCobb Planner Group Mid-Century Modern Extension Dinette Table
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern solid maple extension dinette table or game table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Measures: 40.25"...
Maple
Sold
H 29.25 in W 32 in D 32 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Dining or Game Table, Newly Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern game table or dining table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture, "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid birch. Measures: 32...
Birch, Lacquer
Sold
H 28.75 in W 58.5 in D 30 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Black Lacquered Extension Dinette Table, Refinished
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish mid-century modern extension dinette table or game table By Paul McCobb for Winchendon Furniture "Planner Group" USA, 1950s Solid maple construction, wit...
Maple, Lacquer
Sold
H 29.13 in W 32 in D 32 in
Paul McCobb Planner Group Ebonized Dining or Game Table, Newly Restored
By Paul McCobb, Planner Group
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern square dinette or game table designed by Paul McCobb for his Planner Group line for Winchendon Furniture. The table features a gorgeous ebonized fin...
Maple