How do you date a Lane hope chest?

Usually Lane cedar chests have serial numbers that are stamped or applied to the bottom of the chests. You can read the serial number BACKWARDS to determine the production date. For example: serial number 753150 would have been produced on 05/13/57.

Similarly, how much is a Lane hope chest worth?

Online auction sites, antique shops and secondhand stores often sell Lane cedar chests -- based on their age, condition or rarity -- starting at $99 and as high as $700 or more for older chests. But most chests, on average, are valued between $200 and $400.

Additionally, does Lane make cedar chests anymore? The last Lane cedar chest to be manufactured in the United States rolled off the production line in the summer of 2001, and the plant closed for good.

Correspondingly, does Lane still make hope chests?

The company says between between 1912 and 1987, Lane and Virginia Maid manufactured and sold an estimated 12 million cedar chests. Chests made in that timeframe latch shut without having to depress a button. However, there are still an estimated 6 million chests that need the locks replaced.

What do you put in a hope chest?

Contents of a "hope chest" or "glory box" included typical dowry items such as clothing (especially a special dress), table linens, towels, bed linens, quilts and occasionally dishware. As a bride would typically leave home on marriage, hope chests were sometimes made with an eye to portability, albeit infrequently.

What is an old trunk worth?

The average canvas-covered, flat-topped trunk in 'as-found' condition (most of the canvas is there, handles are broken, tray inside, smells like mothballs, has someone's name on the ends, some rust here and there) is worth about $100 to $200 un-refinished.

How do you read a lane serial number?

Usually Lane cedar chests have serial numbers that are stamped or applied to the bottom of the chests. You can read the serial number BACKWARDS to determine the production date. For example: serial number 753150 would have been produced on 05/13/57.

Who gives a hope chest?

It can be created by a mother for her daughter at a young age or a girl can begin one and add to it until she completes it. It can also be used as an heirloom to be added to and passed down from generation to generation. A Hope Chest is a box that can be as large as a trunk that is at the end of a bed.

How old is my Lane cedar chest?

Usually Lane cedar chests have serial numbers that are stamped or applied to the bottom of the chests. You can read the serial number BACKWARDS to determine the production date. For example: serial number 753150 would have been produced on 05/13/57.

Is Lane furniture still in business?

In big news for the furniture industry, North Carolina–based Heritage Home Group, the parent company of Henredon, Hickory Chair, and Maitland-Smith, among a large stable of brands, has announced that it will sell off the Lane Furniture group from its portfolio.

How do you restore a cedar chest?

Apply a chemical paint stripper to the exterior of the chest, using a paintbrush. Work in small sections and allow the stripper to sit on the wood until the finish begins to bubble. Alternatively, if there is little to no finish on the wood, proceed to the sanding.

How big is a hope chest?

Receive Free Shipping on this Hope Chest. This Amish chest offers 5.1 cu. ft. of storage and measures 36” L x 17½” W x 18½”H.

Are hope chests dangerous?

But what most people don't know is that some of these chests can be deadly. The danger comes from the locking mechanism on the front of the chests made by the Lane Furniture Company under the brands “Lane” and “Virginia Maid” between 1912 and 1987. You have to push a button on the outside of the chest to open it.

How do you open a cedar chest without a key?

You can open the chest without the key by removing the lock. Lane cedar chests have a safety problem on chests built before 1987. The locks on these chests automatically engage when the lid shuts, which can trap small children inside.

Where are Lane cedar chests made?

Lane Company History The company was based in Altavista, Virginia, and continued making cedar chests there from 1912 through 2001 -- the last cedar chest rolled off the production line that summer when the cedar chest division was shut down.

What can I do with a cedar chest?

Use a cedar chest as it was intended, to protect wool, silk and linen fabrics from insect damage. Paint or stain it to coordinate with other bedroom or guest room storage, but leave the inside surfaces bare.

Where did the term hope chest come from?

Hope chest history dates back to a period of time when families exchanged property and goods. The exact origins aren't clear, but it's believed that the hope chest provided the bride's dowry items, such as any clothing and personal property, to help her begin her new life.

How do you make a hope chest step by step?

How to Build a Hope Chest
  1. Step 1: Assemble the Box. Assemble the box as shown in the picture using 1-1/2″ wood screws.
  2. Step 2: Add Rails for Shelf.
  3. Step 3: Assemble Top Rail.
  4. Step 4: Install Top Rail.
  5. Step 5: Add Trim.
  6. Step 6: Assemble Top.
  7. Step 7: Assemble Cedar Shelf.
  8. Step 8: Install Hinges, Bumpers and Top.

Why are chests made of cedar?

Cedar chests sometimes are made from a different wood on the outside, but lined with cedar. Cedar is a preferred wood for storage because it repels insects and fungi, and has a fresh aromatic scent. It is especially beneficial for storing fabric items, including heirlooms.

What can be stored in a cedar chest?

Cedar chests are used to store everyday items such as blankets, sheets and clothing at the change of seasons. Photographs and other memorabilia can also be stored safely in a cedar chest.

What is a chest used for?

Chest. Chest, the earliest form of container for storing clothes, documents, valuables, or other possessions, and the most important piece of furniture in the home until the 18th century. Chests with flat tops were also sometimes used as seats or beds.

Where do you put a cedar chest?

Place your cedar chest near your entryway and use it as a convenient seat for putting on and taking off shoes. If placed in the proper spot in the bedroom it can serve a similar, and equally utilitarian, purpose.

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