Lane had it’s beginnings as The Standard Red Cedar Box Company making ammunition boxes for the government in World War I. Using their efficient production methods, they began a peacetime project of making cedar chests for the home. With a Lane Hope Chest, a young woman stored clothing, linens, and home furnishings in anticipation of marriage. In the 1920s, Lane began to advertise its products nationally. The company's tag line: "The gift that starts the home."
During World War II, thousands of GIs were persuaded by Shirley Temple to purchase a Lane Hope Chest for the sweethearts. A Shirley Temple ad in the Virginia Historical Society’s website features a similar Hope Chest to our current auction item number 42. Take a look.
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| Bidding ends 8/28/13 starting at 6pm |
The last Lane Cedar Chest to be manufactured in the United States rolled off the production line in the summer of 2001, and the Virginia plant closed for good. But that is not the end of the story. Lane Furniture Industries is now owned by Furniture Brands International which also owns other well known brand name companies... Broyhill, Thomasville, Drexel Heritage and Maitland Smith. Today, Lane makes nine beautiful Hope Cedar Chest designs in Oak and Cherry finishes.
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| Bidding ends 8/28/13 starting at 6pm |
While the original purpose or rite of passage may have lost some of it’s popularity, Lane Hope Chests are still popular. Thank Martha Stewart, among others, for giving us proper instructions of how to fill these hope chests in a new and different way.
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| Bidding ends 8/28/13 starting at 6pm |
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| Bidding ends 8/28/13 starting at 6pm |
Whether you follow Martha’s advice, or choose to fill it with some of the treasures you find in our auctions, we know that if you choose an official Lane Cedar Chest you will have a wonderful gift that can truly start your home. Enjoy.
Happy Bidding,
Liz
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