The Lane Cedar Chest is perhaps one of the most hand-me-down items from the 20th century. And deservedly so!
The chest is functional, beautiful, and well crafted. AND it comes with “Moth Free Insurance” for your woolens and linens!
Edward Hudson Lane founded the Lane Company in Altavista, Virginia, in 1912.
The company got a big boost during World War I by producing pine-made ammunition boxes. The focus obviously changed once the war was over and boxes of this type were no longer in demand. So, the Lane Company created the Lane “Hope Chest” and advertised it to the young, unmarried woman.
This hope chest has sentimental value in our household.
It belonged to Mary Barrett from southern Connecticut. She was a Great Aunt.
Mary Barrett married sometime in the early 1930s, so we can guess that this hope chest was purchased in the late 1920s, which fits the time period when the Lane Company boosted production and sought female consumers of the jazz age.
4 Comments
Can you please tell me what year and what type of chest this is?
Hi Michael -
Thanks for your question!
To the best of my knowledge this hope chest was purchased in the 1920s by a relative. She was a teenager at that time and was given the chest.
In terms of the type, other than it being a Lane Cedar, I’m not sure of the type. I don’t see any markings other than the “Moth Protection” sticker and the Lane Cedar stamp.
I hope this answers your question!
Thanks again!
April
do you know how much the chest would be worth at today’s market
Hi Luisa -
Thanks for your question.
Generally, the older the Lane Hope Chest the more valuable they are – this chest from the 1920s is worth more than one from the 40s. I would value this one (from the late 20s) between $250 and $400. If you have a chest like this, in similar condition (great condition), then I would value it the same. However, I would recommend taking it to a furniture appraiser, just to make sure.
Thanks again for your question!
April