The vintage Lane Acclaim line of furniture seems to have been very popular in mid century America. We speculate that — much like the popular Drexel Declaration line — the design of Lane Acclaim appealed to Mrs. America because it was a good compromise between traditional and modern. It was a little bit Early American, a little bit mid mod.
Remember: The mass of Mrs. Americas were not nuts about mid century modern. But maybe she could tiptoe in. Interestingly — also like Drexel Declaration, there’s a Shaker feel to the Lane Acclaim design — you can see how the wood is connected. Reader Dave is a big fan of the line. He recently acquired what seems to be a very hard-to-find catalog of available pieces from the Lane Acclaim Line — and graciously shares it with all of us today.
Dave writes:
After much hunting, I finally tracked down a complete Lane Acclaim catalog on Ebay and have scanned it. This is a small booklet, 3″ x 4″, that was hung on showroom pieces with a string. As someone who owns six lane pieces (all tables) I was surprised to learn how extensive the line actually was! Especially since you mostly see only the tables trading, with possibly an occasional hutch or desk. I think it would be of value for MCM fans to have access to this great historical record of a classic furniture line. It’s a valuable reference for buyers and sellers.
This story is particularly fun for me, because I have a Lane Acclaim table — it is the cocktail table 900-01 (shown in the lead photo.) My mother in law gave it to me. It was her parent’s coffee table.
But, I’ve never seen most of the furniture that is in this catalog. Look at those nesting tables above — it looks to me like the top one has the dovetailed edge and the inner one doesn’t. Very interesting.
And what is that I see — a TV snack cart on wheels? Amazing!
The Boomerang table above is one I’ve seen before — but the picture window table with the big drawer — that’s new to me.
From the Lane Acclaim catalog:
Although contemporary in classification, Acclaim furniture has a distinct hand-crafted quality that gives it unusual warmth and mellowness. Edges are softly rounded and suggest patient hand-working, rubbing, more hand-working and rubbing to achieve the soft, sculptured contours. Only the top 35% grade of walnut on the market is considered for this furniture. Then, out of 100 feet purchased, only 40 feet will meet Lane’s exacting requirements for grain and color. This fine wood is then finished with a mellow gunstock patina, enriched in character with dovetail inlays. Let your finger-tips brush across the satin-sooth dovetailing — you won’t be able to tell where the joinings are. Drawers operate easily and smoothly on steel ball bearing drawer guides.
The hutches and buffets are especially interesting. The drawer edges seem to have the same dovetail detail that the popular coffee tables have. I’d love to see one of these in the wild.
Above: Lane Acclaim chairs — who would have guessed?
Where there are chairs there is bound to be a few dining table options — again sporting the signature dovetail edges. Fantastic!
The dressers and chests in this line are also quite amazing.Being Lane — the company most notably known for their cedar chests — of course the Acclaim line had to have one. The Lane Acclaim Cedar Chest above appears to have “matchmaker changeable front panels” giving it maximum decorative versatility.
Again — I was surprised to see that there are headboards in this line — sporting the well known dovetailed motif.
The catalog also has cleaning and care instructions for Lane Acclaim furniture:
Directions: To polish, first clean the surface lightly with a moistened cloth. Then apply a good furniture polish smoothly with the grain. After it dries, gently polish the surface with a soft cloth. With brand-new furniture, do this once a week for the first month. After that time, polish occasionally to keep the beautiful finish. Dust regularly, but do it lightly because dust is abrasive.
Caution: Don’t place rubber-based lamps, telephones, radios or other objects on lacquer finishes unless the surfaces are protected by pads. Rubber can cause a chemical reaction, turning the finish yellow. It is also advisable to avoid placing furniture where it is constantly exposed to direct sunlight.
Mega thanks to reader Dave for sharing his treasured Lane Acclaim catalog with the Retro Renovation clan. To view the catalog, see our slideshow below:
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:?
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Wayne Rocheleau says
Great article. I have four pieces from this collection, the 900-01, 900-06, and two -92s.
I know you don’t do evaluations. However, do you know what those pieces might have retailed for in 1959? I know that they were not too expensive. Of course, a nice house could be bought in 1959 for less than furnishing a nice dining room today.
pam kueber says
I don’t know….
DMW says
I found a beautiful Acclaim (I know this now because of this great web site) in the trash! I saw its beauty instantly and grabbed it. It’s in great condition with only a white water mark on it, which my husband is going to try to minimize. One man’s trash…
Scott says
Too bad we can’t leave pictures here, as I bought an acclaim desk on Ebay and would love to show it.
Carrie Whitmer says
I’m not looking for a valuation, but I need help in finding the style number of a pair of nightstands I picked up at a yard sale. The serial # is 461380, which I understand means they were manufactured 8.31.64. I have searched images, etc trying to find a match. There is also the number 308-30 on the back along with the Lane brand. Any reference sites/materials would be greatly appreciated.
pam kueber says
Hi Carrie, we don’t have this expertise… Good luck.
Dale says
I have a Lane hanging wall unit of Rosewood. It is particularly striking but I can not find any info as to vintage, much less value. The unit consists of a 10′ hanging credenza with 4 bays and 8 doors It has brass hardware and keys. The shelving system associated with it has interlocking shelf supports which fasten to the wall stringers and the shelves Not at all like the strung wire Cado systems.This system is so much more sophisticated. I do have both. I sure would appreciate any help/info in finding out what I have on my wall!
pam kueber says
Dale, I am not an expert on this. Perhaps someone who knows will respond. It certainly sounds awesome!
Renee says
I have recently inherited 3 pieces of LANE altavisata,VA reg u.s.pat.off. style no’s 908-05 side table curved floating legs with bras balls also a basket weave drawer, 908-01 surf board style table with two tone walnut I believe it has very shape legs and basket weave drawer. serial no.2622290 and 908-06 serial no.269290 I think it’s a side table or bedside no drawer just a shelf and the side’s have basketweave design and it also has the round floating like legs with brass ball accents. Do you know anymore information about this series from what I have looked up there was 2 designers at this time line my tables have the design around the Lane sign like a barrel shape I guess.
pam kueber says
no, this is not our area of expertise… sounds lovely!
Nancy says
Serial no. denotes manufacture date when read backwards. Group 908 is Lane’s ‘Perception’ collection.
Kelly says
I have two end tables serial # 366130 that I have refinished. Unfortunately, I refinshed them before finding this site and I knew knowing about gunstock before I finished the process. The tables turned out beautifully, however. I’m ready to sell them but I’m unsure how I should price them. Can anyone help??
pam kueber says
Kelly, we do not do valuations here…
Alyssa Harris says
I have the boomerang/”surf board” table shown above in the color photo. Does anyone know what it is worth. I also have a 2 tiered side table. I would be interested in selling both.
pam kueber says
Alyssa, we do not do valuations here.
Sally says
I bought a small cube with veneer in a patchwork pattern. I can’t find a picture of one like it anywhere. I’m not sure if it was a table or an ottoman or much of anything. I’m trying to identify it.
jenn says
I have a a 6? Piece bedroom suite from 84′ cherry finish tallboy, long dresser w/mirror 2 side tables and head and foot board queen size. Looking for value on this set..thanks!!
Kate says
Hi Jenn,
We do not do valuations here as cost depends on condition and demand in your area. I would suggest trying to sell it on Craigslist locally based on what other, similar pieces are selling for. Good luck.
Shell says
Jenn,
That can’t be a Lane Acclaim suite you describe (as that is what this discussion is about). It would be walnut or walnut veneer and would have been produced in 1963-65. Sorry.
Becky from Iowa says
My eyes ARE old, but it seems I didn’t see a piece I have: a round end table with an enclosed, hexagonal base that opens for storage. I love ours, and it makes a handy stash for stashed, unopened bottles of liquor. 😉