How To Date A Caswell Runyan Cedar Chest (2024)

FAQs

How can I tell how old my cedar chest is? ›

Learn the age of your Lane cedar chest by examining the serial number. Read this number backward to determine its age. For example, your chest's number is 2865110, so the production date is 01-15-68, or Jan. 15, 1968.

To tell how old a cedar chest is, look for a stamp or label that indicates the maker's name. In some cases, you may find a date printed on the label. Otherwise, use trusted online resources to determine the years that the manufacturer operated and when it produced chests similar to yours.

An old cedar chest's worth is based on its age, condition or rarity -- starting at $99 and as high as $700 or more. If the hardware is original then it is worth more and can fetch about $200 to $400. Find a collection of old cedar chests on 1stDibs today.

As with everything else your Lane cedar chest is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. I believe your chest was manufactured in January 1951 so is a reasonable age. In good original condition it could fetch up to $700. But most chests, on average, are valued between $200 and $400.

Cedar turns grey, over time, when regularly exposed to moisture.

A few signs that furniture is newer include consistent color, lack of patina, machine-cut moldings/carvings, and modern screws or nails. Things like mortise-and-tenon joints, wood pegs, hand-cut dovetails, and rose head nails are typically found in antique furniture.

While these are all nice, cedar chests should be avoided when housing your artifacts; historic textiles; wedding dresses, christening dresses, or uniforms, or any other family heirloom. As wood ages, it gives off an acid, which in the museum world is called 'off-gassing,' that reacts poorly with other objects.

An original Lane cedar chest from 1946 currently holds a market value of 150-200$.

Look at the bottom board's grain as well; if it runs from front to back, the chest was likely built in the early 18th century; if it runs from side to side, it was presumably made after 1750. The chest's handles should also be examined to see if they are authentic.

Antiques dealer for 12+ years and collector for 30+ years specializing in American and European porcelain, glass, art, furniture, coins, watches, sterling silver, pocket watches, and jewelry. This is a 1948 Lane cedar chest in model 2236/3 with a value of $300 to $400 in good condition.

How to read serial numbers? ›

Are old cedar chests worth anything? Old Lane cedar chests sell from $100 to about $700 depending on the age, condition and whether the hardware is original. Most are worth about $200 to $400.

The current sale price range for Lane cedar chests from the 1920s/1930s is: $20.00-$500.00.

If the dirt, mildew, or mold seems to be camping out in the corners of your cedar chest, try grabbing a cotton swab or a Q-Tip, dampening with water, to get at the tight spots more easily.

Cedar decking boards turn gray in a few short years if untreated, and can make your deck look much older and closer to the end of its life than it actually is.

The girth of a tree can be used to estimate its age, as roughly a tree will increase it's girth by 2.5cm in a year. So, simply measure around the trunk of the tree (the girth) at about 1m from the ground. Make sure you measure to the nearest centimetre. Then divide the girth by 2.5 to give an age in years.