Expert: Eileen Cronk - 10/10/2005

Question
My mother passed on to me a Lane Cedar Chest
Colonial Low Boy"Amesbury" .I just want to know approx. how old it is but I dont know where to find the info.
The Lane Furniture co. has no place to email any questions or find out about thier older items
I believe this chest was a "recall" because of the locking mechanism.Just want to know approx. age of item.
OR where could you send me to help me find more info

Answer
Hi Ester
Nice to hear from you.
First off, if the locking device has not been removed from this chest, please please do it.
Its a simple procedure and only involves the use of a screw driver.
As you may know, these locking devices were placed on the Lane chests from 1917 into the 80's.
These chests were mass produced, and the value is determined by condition and age. They are certainly not high ticket items as they are readily available.
The average chest will run around $150.00 to $250.00.
I have no way of telling you how old your chest is as I would need a catolouge with the models and year of production...if such a thing exists.
A little detective work on your part may give you a close manufacture date.
If this was passed from your Mother, perhaps the year she was married would be a starting point. Often young ladies used these chests as "hope chests" and they were given by the parents when the girl became a young lady.
Try to check with other family members also.
Personally I love these old chests, and if I had a bigger house I would have lots of them.
Not much help Ester, but we do know it is not older than 1917 because of the lock.
Kindest Regards
Eileen