Measuring Guide
Measuring Guide
your exhaustive resource for miniature Lane Cedar Boxes
Brands and Stamps found on the Inside of Box Lids
Lid Logos
Lid Logos are found in most boxes, especially those distributed as part of the Girl Graduation Plan. With the exception of the Diamond logo (see below) the Lane logos were located on the inside of the lid. Although evidence has not been found about the origin of the logos' shape, the line in the design of the logo around the perimeter has been attributed to an old-time scroll being unrolled on each side to reveal the name of the company. Again, this is only a theory as there is no direct evidence to support this assertion. After "Presented by" most often appears a retailers name and then their location - city, state and/or address. In some cases, the retailer's catch phrase may also appear. It is also assumed in the circumstance where the retailer had multiple locations, the location (city, state, address) would not be included so the boxes could be shared between the various locations. The method used to generate the logo imprint changed over the years moving from a labor intensive, error ridden, inconsistent quality heat related branding method to a much more user friendly and cost effective ink based method. This change took place during the era of the short boxes in the mid 1960's. Lid logos without "Presented by" are generally attributed to boxes not distributed as gifts as part of the Girl Graduation Plan but rather sold by Lane directly or by retailers. Once their chronology is understood (shown below oldest to newest) logos can be a useful tool in placing an age/manufacture date on a particular box.
Diamond
This logo is NOT found under the lid like all others. Rather, this logo has only been found on the bottom of Large Hasp with Feet (LHF) boxes. The logo is stamped in ink and is very rare. No retailer has ever been seen represented in a LHF box. The diamond shape of the logo is very similar to a logo shape used by the Peterson Brothers box manufacturer of Chicago, IL. See Box Variations for more details.
LANE
Altavista, Va
This branded/burned logo is found under the lid in all Tall Hasp with Feet (THF) and all Tall Hasp with Bun Feet (THBF) boxes. The retailer's name doesn't always appear. If it does it appear, it is rubber stamped in ink likely by the retailer.
A large version of this brand is also found on the bottom of a LHF box as well as jewelry boxes and prototypes made including those made of mahogany.
Double Line
LANE
CedarChests
Altavista, Va,
Presented by
This branded logo appears in all Tall, Fluted with Feet (TFF) and some Tall (T) boxes. With this logo, the retailer name appears and was branded at the same time as the logo in the Lane factory. In this photo, the logo is branded over a routed-out area. The routing was done to "erase" a previous branding.
Double Line
LANE
CedarChests
Altavista, Va
This branded logo has only been found in one Short (S) box. This box has no label on the bottom, a pressed-in lock set and inset felt feet. This is the only double lined logo that has been found in a Short box. This logo does not say "Presented by" and has no dealer named.
Double Line
LANE
Cedar Chests
Canadian
This branded logo was found in a Tall, Fluted with Feet (TFF-C) with a Canadian label on the bottom and a Canadian ink dealer stamp under the lid.
Gold Double-Line
LANE
Cedar Chests
Altavista, Va
Presented by
This RARE logo has only been found in only one Tall box so far. The only thing special about this logo are that it is gold in color. Nothing else is known about why it was branded in gold.
Single Line
LANE
Cedar Chests
Altavista, Va
Presented by
Most common logo brand found (so far) in some Tall (T), some Short (S), all Short Beveled (SB), and all Short Rounded (SR) boxes. Always appears with a retailer named.
Gold Single Line
LANE
Cedar Chests
Altavista, Va
Presented by
This RARE logo has only been found in only one Tall box so far. The only things special about this logo are that it is gold in color and it is "Presented by" J. Arthur Krauss - the Lane executive and idea-man behind the Girl Graduation Plan.
Single Line - Ink Stamp
LANE
Cedar Chest
Presented by
This ink stamped logo is only found in Tall (T) boxes distributed by Canadian retailers. The retailer stamp may have been affixed by the retailer.
Lane
PRESENTED BY
No Surround
This logo is found only in Short (S) boxes and always appears with a retailer named. This logo is more refined than burned-in versions as it uses a more sophisticated process that is easier to set up and change in the factory.
Lane
No Surround
Shown on cedar
This logo is found only in Short (S) and Short with Rounded Base (SRB) boxes. "Presented by" has been omitted and, therefore, retailers do not appear.
Lane
No Surround
Shown on Pine
This logo is found only in Short (S) and Short with Rounded Base (SRB) boxes, "Presented by" has been omitted and, therefore, retailers do not appear. Photo shows logo in pine rather than cedar.
Four Square
Lane
HOME FURNISHINGS
This logo is found only in a Short (S) box. The miniature dept. in Altavista was closed down in 1998. 5000 boxes were purchased by Lane from the company that bought the machinery to make the boxes for a special run. Ironically, Lane had to buy boxes with this logo in 2004.
Four Square
Lane
HOME FURNISHINGS 90th Anniversary
This logo is found only in a Short (S) box. Given Lane was founded in 1912, the 90th anniversary would have been 2002. However, the miniature dept. in Altavista was closed down in 1998. 5000 boxes were purchased by Lane from the company that bought the machinery to make the boxes for a special run. Ironically, Lane had to buy boxes with this logo in 2002.
Lane
HOME FURNISHINGS
90th ANNIVERSARY
This logo is found only in a Short (S) box. Given Lane was founded in 1912, the 90th anniversary would have been 2002. However, the miniature dept. in Altavista was closed down in 1998. 5000 boxes were purchased by Lane from the company that bought the machinery to make the boxes for a special run. Ironically, Lane had to buy boxes with this logo in 2002.
Lane date ink stamp
This rubber stamp, and many similar to it (different years, etc), are found on boxes made by Lane and either sold directly to consumers or through retailers and companies like JCPenney's, Disney, etc. Boxes with this type of stamp may or may not have a simple "Lane" (one word, script only) inscription on the inside of the lid. This photo to the right also show a fully rounded bottom, rather than the routed ridge found on most boxes. Boxes with these stamps on the bottom were made after the Girl Graduate Plan was all but discontinued. See Box Variations and Joinery & Bottoms for more details.
NON-Lane box information below - Proceed with Caution!
Peterson Brothers - Bottom Logo
This manufacture's mark is found on the bottom of the box seen in the inset photo. It reads, "PETERSON BROTHERS MFGS, 165-171 N. ELIZABETH ST., CHICAGO, ILLINOIS." The similarity between this diamond shaped logo and the Lane company Diamond shaped logo on LHF boxes seen above is striking and further evidence Peterson Brothers likely manufactured and sold boxes to Lane in the early years of the Girl Graduate Plan.
Pilliod - Bottom Logo
This manufacture's mark is found on the bottom of the box seen in the inset photo. It reads, "ART BOXES, Pilliod, SWANTON, OHIO." Given the similarity of box size, wood species used, type, style and joinery, it is likely Pilliod manufactured and sold boxes to Lane in the early years of the Girl Graduate Plan.
Pilliod - Bottom Logo
This is just another example of a Pilliod manufacture's mark. See description above regarding relevance to Lane boxes in the Girl Graduate Plan.
D.F. Duncan - Bottom Logo
DF Duncan is another box company in Chicago. The hypothesis is that Peterson Bros. (above) who is at a very similar address, also made Duncan boxes. Note that Duncan, Peterson Bros., and Lane all use the diamond logo which likely relates the three.
Address is "167 Elizabeth St., Chicago..".