Posted 9 years ago
vikkismith
(1 item)
I bought this beautiful cedar chest a few years ago really cheap from someone who needed cash. Have found out that The Red Standard Cedar Co. was founded by Mr Lane's son (Lane Furniture) in 1912. Mr. Lane declined to put his name on this company at the time as he believed it would not prosper. I emailed the Lane Company in 2011 & they stated that the first few made in 1912-13 were not made all that well as they did not really have experienced help as well as not bearing any sort of serial number. They also believed that this one was most likely a first or second year chest. This company only existed for 6 years; after that they were Lane Cedar chests. Mine has obvious faults on the inside (wood not cut straight) and has no serial number. Isn't it beautiful? The key is not original however but replaced with a 100 year old skeleton key. I wonder what it's worth?
I am generally not a big fan of cedar chests but this one is very nice... thanks for the post!
I believe you can find what little there is on the original company online. There was a period of four or five years after they stopped making chests until the name changed to Lane. The name didn't change until after WWI. These come up on sites like esty every now and then but authentication is next to impossible because of the lack of markings. That tends to keep prices of them down. If this is actually a red standard it is toward the end of their six year run. Their earlier chests were slab wood thrown together and did have a model or style number on them. I am sure you can find originals online if you research the company. The value isn't an issue unless you can authenticate it. You might be well served to also research patents and registered company logo's and marks. More pictures showing the interior and joinery would also help along with some dimensions.