How do I date a Lane cedar chest by its serial number?

Lane made dating its chests easy, once you know the trick. Look inside the lid or on the bottom of the chest for a stamped serial number. Lane encoded the ship date by printing it backward, so you read the number from right to left to get the date.

Reversed, the digits usually give the year, month and day the chest left the factory, though the exact format changed over the years. A quick search for "Lane cedar chest serial number" will show the common patterns and examples. You may also find a paper tag or a small brass plate inside the lid with the model number.

Other clues help: the style of the veneer, hardware and legs, and whether it has a self-latching lock. Older Lane chests with those latches were recalled because children could get trapped, and replacement locks have been offered. Replace the latch before using or selling the chest.

Dating it is mostly for interest. Style and condition affect value more than age for most Lane chests.