The Lane Cedar Chest

Lane Furniture Company started manufacturing in 1912 under the Standard Red Cedar Chest Company name. During World War I the company made pine ammunition boxes for the government. After the war, they took advantage of this capacity to grow their cedar chest sales. In 1922, they changed the name to the Lane Furniture Company and branched out into making other furnishings in the 1950’s but they sadly went out of business in 2022.

One of their most successful campaigns was the Girl Graduate Plan, which gifted miniature cedar chests to girls at high school graduation. These chests had to be picked up at a Lane dealership, where they would be offered a discount on a full-sized version to use as a hope chest to start saving things for marriage.  I often see this miniatures at estate sales.  I would say most young ladies have no idea what “hope chest” is!

To figure out how old your Lane furniture or cedar chest is, look for the stamped serial number on the back or bottom of the piece. This 6- or 7-digit number, when read backwards from right to left, gives the exact date of manufacture.  Reading right to left, the serial number 658101 translates to 10/18/56, or October 18, 1956. If this number was 7 digits and started with a 4, then the 4 would designate the plant number where it was built.

The locking mechanism on the cedar chest was recalled in 1996 because they are an entrapment hazard. The chests instantly lock when closed, and this has resulted in the deaths of children who got trapped inside. This is important: if you are selling these chests you must remove the original locking mechanism so that it is non-functional. Before the company closed in 2022, you could contact Lane directly and get a replacement lock.  It is best to disable or remove the locking mechanism, especially if you do resale.

These chests make great storage or benches at the end of your bed or can also be used as a coffee table.  Although I don’t like to see beautiful wood painted, they paint up quite well, especially the mid-century modern models.  Happy Collecting!