History of Lane Furniture: 1940-1957

Jun 15, 2016 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns

History of Lane Furniture: 1940-1957

From pinterest – we all love our Lane!

Welcome dear readers to the latest installment in the history of Lane furniture: 1940-1957. This series now takes us through the first fifty years of Lane. Let’s pick up where we left off – WWII was at its zenith and our beloved company was building cedar chests for soldiers’ sweethearts. If there’s one thing we’ve learned during this journey together, it’s that Lane was constantly innovating. Despite a global war, this era was no less dynamic and inspiring.

Remember that research program Edward Lane funded during the company’s early days? Well by the 1930s their scope went beyond moth protection and focused on another foe of treasured items everywhere: moisture. That’s right, Lane had evicted the moths and now nasty mildew was in the cross hairs. It took nearly twenty years to develop a strong enough glue to get the job done, but following the end of WWII Lane had achieved a moisture and warp-resistant particle plywood (lovingly called Lanewood). This invention became a prominent feature in cedar chests from this time period and ushered in an era of tremendous growth for the company.

In 1946 Lane welcome a second plant location to their Altavista-based family. Located in Smyrna, Tennessee in the heart of cedar country, it quickly became the new source for all Lane cedar paneling. Keep in mind up until this time Lane was know for doing one thing very well – cedar chests. They were enjoying Kleenex-style brand recognition – you don’t ever say “hand me a facial tissue,” you say “pass the Kleenex.” Lane was synonymous cedar chest and that’s no small feat! They could have very easily rested on their laurels. But as we all know they forged ahead into a world of breathtaking furniture. I bet you’ll never guess what (or whom) inspired this new direction…

As we’ve seen in the previous historical segments, Lane survived and thrived under Edward’s leadership due to two main reasons: sound business choices and innovation. But there was a chink in the armor and their bankers pointed it out (of all people!). I obviously wasn’t in attendance at this turning-point of a meeting, but I’ll summarize it for you: “congrats on being number one in the cedar chest market, but you need to diversify.” I can imagine that meeting felt a bit rough – after all, who wants to hear at the peak of your glory that you need to re-think your position? Especially a position that has served you so well. But as we know, Edward Lane had tough skin. This constructive feedback didn’t make him shrink back into the corner frantically sketching out the next great cedar chest, no – he did what he always did, he carved a new path.

“My whole experience of life and business has taught me that nothing worthwhile is ever accomplished without teamwork. Cooperation and teamwork are behind every successful relationship or enterprise.” – Edward Hudson Lane, “Lane Furinture with a tradition and a future: the company’s first 50 years”

Following this meeting fate intervened by way of General Electric. GE contracted Lane to make television cabinets. It was a sweet deal for everyone involved (a win-win you might say, if you want to be technical!). Lane’s facilities were already set up to handle the work, their assembly teams were brilliant craftspeople, and GE handled all of the sales/marketing aspects. This relationship could prove to be fruitful for years to come. So why don’t we see an overabundance of Lane television cabinets in our local flea markets and Goodwills? Short answer: Uncle Sam. Long answer: The FCC put a choke hold on television station licenses and the entire entertainment industry slowed to a snail’s pace. Limited television stations meant limited demand and no need for an ample supply. The dream of diversifying through television ended.

Another fork in the road. Don’t you just hate it when that happens? Edward could have told his bankers that they gave it a good college try but it didn’t work out. See Mr. Banker, this is a sign we need to stick to cedar chests. But nope. Not on Edward’s watch. With the taste of that initial success still in his mouth, the following year (1951 to be precise), a collection of forty occasional tables by Lane made their debut. Forty uniquely styled pieces were there for the public to assess. They waited to gauge the reception and soon realized their customers didn’t want these tables. Rather, they wanted these tables with matching end tables, consoles, etc. This ragtag group of tables needed to be part of an overall design scheme. Now it should be noted that the table manufacturing market at this time was very competitive. And here sauntered in Lane – the cedar chest group – what could they possibly know about tables? Oh brother, did they know plenty! That signature Lane quality and aesthetic made their tables into top three territory in under five years. Boom – challenge accepted and crushed.

History of Lane Furniture: 1940-1957

From vintageadbrowser. Love this ad!

You may think, okay – well done Lane. You’ve got a couple offerings in your portfolio now, congrats on diversifying. But surely you’ve been picking up on a theme right? Edward Lane was not one to be content with status quo, oh no sir. Just as his tables were flying out of furniture stores, he and his team were back to the drawing board to sketch out more ideas. In 1956 they expanded again, purchasing the Bald Knob furniture plant in nearby Rocky Mount, Virginia. Here is where most of the furniture pieces were made and developed, including the bedroom and dining collections that we all drool over today. Lane’s success was buoyed by a strict adherence to their playbook – advertise, advertise, advertise. Staying connected with their customers and seeking out the next generation of customers continued to serve them well. Lane even commissioned some architectural research into popular housing types and related spatial dimensions, to bring the most aesthetically pleasing and functional items to market. Throughout the many iterations of this company’s evolution, craftsmanship never played second fiddle. That iconic dovetail jointing (done by hand) was the heart and soul of every piece as it made the journey from factory to home.

Just as those pieces were assembled and left the confines of the factory, we find ourselves at the end of our tale. The first fifty years of Lane’s history here in black and white for your reading pleasure. What have you learned? (Please tell me in the comments.) While I wait for your feedback, let me tell you my favorite lesson from this story: the power of perseverance and a constant inquisitive outlook. When I think back to how this story begins, how we met a nervous young man cautiously taking the reins of a factory he doesn’t quite know what to do with… and then this young man who listened to the counsel of others, weighed that against his own ideas, and added a healthy dose of bravado – took that previously deserted factory to the heights of American manufacturing. It’s an incredible story that captures the kind of entrepreneurial attitude that’s blogged about today. Sorry Silicon Valley, you didn’t invent cool it’s a vintage thing! Next time you need a boost or need a little nudge down an adventurous new path I hope you think of Lane furniture and those dovetail joints…

Replies for “History of Lane Furniture: 1940-1957”

  • Kim Fincher

    I have a 1956 end table I can’t find any exactly like it for sale it’s not at all mint condition but I’d think maybe $50-$75 can u tell me more? It has the altavista print on bottom style 1397n serial # 658206
    Thanks

    Reply ↓
    • Becky Oeltjenbruns Post author

      Hi Kim,
      I’m afraid we don’t offer value appraisals as we can’t authenticate/review pieces in person. I would recommend searching Etsy/Ebay first to get a baseline, then work with vintage shop owners to get a dialed in value amount. They can give you a better sense as they sell these pieces frequently and can also give advice if any repairs/restoration is needed…

      Reply ↓
  • brian grattan

    hi , i really enjoyed the post , i have a lane alivasta ca firebird end table dated 1957 , it still has the brass fittings style 1755 , i can find pictures of it in books but never the table itself , did this design last long ( who was the designer ) and is it a rare or common table , either way i love it , regards brian

    Reply ↓
  • brian grattan

    hi i have a 1957 thunderbird end table style 1575 dated 1957 with brass fittings , who designed this table and are they common or rare either way i love it regards

    Reply ↓
  • Paul Saladino

    We would appreciate any information you can give us on a Lane table we have in our family. I believe it is called a switchblade table. The serial# on it is 267040 and designpat#185371. The style# is hard to read but i think it is 6900-91. Thank you for any information you can give

    Reply ↓
  • Angela Taylor

    Hi Becky, I have acquired what I think may be a chest made by the Lane company and I wanted to get some information on how old it may be. It is a beautiful piece of furniture and I wanted to may be varnish it or something to bring it back to its original glory.

    Reply ↓
    • Becky Oeltjenbruns Post author

      Hi Barbara,
      Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately we don’t offer appraisals as we can’t see the pieces in person. I would recommend finding comparable pieces on Etsy/Ebay for a baseline, then take in photos to a local antique mall (here you’ll get several shop owner opinions in one location & because they are local they can see the piece in person to dial in the estimate). Between these two data points you can determine a fair value. Based on the serial number it looks like your piece was manufactured in 1962. Best of luck & enjoy!

      Reply ↓
  • Pam Drango

    I have a lane coffee table and end table that I am trying to get some information about. It is style # 1115527 and serial # 2492180. They are both square and have walnut legs and checkerboard light oak inlaid tops. I can’t find anything like them on eBay

    Reply ↓
  • Melanie Shively

    Can you offer me any help on this coffee table and the markings? It’s kidney shaped glass top. It does not say lane but has these numbers 4076101DES PAT NO. 203449 35985 STYLE NO. 1163 54

    Reply ↓
  • Jeffrey Ryder

    I am interested in the wood type of the legs on the Acclaim style of tables. I am thinking Poplar or Alder. I have two end tables that are style 992-01.

    Reply ↓
  • Shanty Slater

    I have a Lane desk with serial #550290. It is in need of a pick me up but if it is of any value I don’t want to ruin it. It is stained black and I can’t find anything quite like it. It is modern and similar to their mid-century desks styles but not quite the same.

    Reply ↓
    • Becky Oeltjenbruns Post author

      Hi Shanty – thanks for reaching out. Your piece was made in 1955 and while we don’t offer appraisals, I would recommend reaching out to a local vintage shop owner to get some recommendations for furniture restoration experts. They can help guide you as you refinish it. Enjoy!

      Reply ↓
  • Adam

    Hi, I have a couple of end tables that look very very much like Lane Acclaim style with the unique dovetails you mention in the article! But the dovetail detail on my tables is not triangular like Acclaim. Do you know if they offered another style very similar to Acclaim? and what it might have been called? Or is this a lane counterfeit/knockoff created due to Lane’s success? The stamp on the bottom says 1226 END 2II. Everything about them makes me think they are Lane, but I can’t find any reference to this style in any other searches. Any ideas?

    Reply ↓
  • Brad McGeoch

    Can you tell me the name of the Lane bedroom furniture I own? On the back is 23 303-30 Serial No 367160. Thank you for any help you could provide.

    Reply ↓

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