Mid-Century Lane Altavista Walnut Cedar Chest with Original Ephemera

A highly preserved mid-century modern cedar-lined storage chest manufactured by the historic Lane Furniture Company of Altavista, Virginia. This model features a clever faux-trompe l’oeil front facade designed to look like a multi-drawer credenza or dresser while functioning as a spacious top-loading storage trunk.
Exterior Design & Features
Cabinetry Construction: Framed in rich, smooth-grained walnut veneer with a warm satin finish, accented by clean oak or lighter hardwood perimeter trim inlay bands that frame the lower platform base and corner joints.
Faux Drawer Facade: The central front panel is detailed with horizontal scored faux seam grooves to simulate a three-drawer chest, complete with six polished silver-tone button knob pulls.
Side Panel Accents: Flanking the central faux drawers are two large simulated cabinet door panels, each beautifully anchored by an oversized, heavy silver-tone metal ring-pull drop handle.
Interior Storage & Accessories
Aroma-Tight Cedar Lining: The deep main storage trunk is lined entirely with continuous planks of 100% genuine aromatic red cedar wood, natural oil knots fully visible, ensuring an insect-resistant storage environment for woolens and fine linens.
Articulating Felt Tray: Features an upper, automated lift-out storage tray lined in its original plush forest green felt backing, perfect for small keepsake items, accessories, or jewelry.
Original Paperwork Ephemera: Retains its pristine, factory-attached advertising labels and documentation under the lid, including:
The classic red-and-white arrow shaped display poster reading “Genuine Lane Cedar Chest – The Only Tested Aroma-tight Cedar Chest in the World”.
An official blue-bordered corporate certificate reading “The Owner of this LANE CEDAR CHEST is certified to a $250 GUARANTY against MOTH DAMAGE”.
The original illustrated instruction brochure titled “One Garment Saved Pays for a Lane Cedar Chest – How Lane Cedar Chests Protect Against Moth Damage”.
An original promotional pocket envelope containing a spare key and hardware screws, titled “Enclosed is your Lane cedar chest key – The Lane Company, Inc., Altavista, Virginia”.
Factory Stamps & Serial Markings
Branding Stamp: The underside of the heavy top lid is branded with the official mid-century Lane graphic logo, stenciled “Lane / Altavista, Va. / Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.”
Quality Seal: The inner bottom cedar floor is heat-stamped with a central circular seal reading “Aroma Tight / Pressure Tested”.
Dimensions
Exterior Width: Approximately 42 inches wide.
Exterior Depth: Approximately 18 inches deep.
Condition Report
Wood & Finish: Very good vintage condition. The walnut top and side panels are flat, smooth, and structurally sound with no deep gouges, heavy ring stains, structural cracks, or veneer lifting. Colors are beautifully uniform across the grain.
Interior Wood & Paper: The interior red cedar planks are exceptionally clean, offering a very strong, authentic cedar aroma with no signs of water damage, mildew, or rot. All paper ephemera sheets are intact and remarkably free of fading or tearing. The lift-out green felt tray operates flawlessly on its metal hinges.
Safety Lock Note: To comply with updated consumer safety guidelines and prevent accidental entrapment, the operational interior push-button lock mechanism has been cleanly removed. The physical top lid strike bracket remains loose inside the green tray compartment along with original key, installation screws and the paperwork sleeve for historical completeness.