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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Galen Tarman says
Am curious about style # 906-17…i don’t see that this is part of the acclaim catalog styles…it’s the walnut smaller coffee table with crosses x base sitting on the floor….i see references to this being an Acclaim table but no proof….Anyone know different?
Sue A says
I brought a cocktail table at a Salvation Army furniture store years ago for $60.00. This table has beautiful ferruls at the end of each leg. I receintly brought an end table from Craig’s list and when I got it home I noticed all the leg ends were painted black. I paid $90.00 for this table and ordered chrome ferrels for $80.00. When I contacted the seller about the furniture, he said all of this style has the black painted legs. Is this true?
Lane Acclaim says
All of the Acclaim pieces have fake ferrules on the legs. They are just painted black, and have a small groove cut above the painted tip to make it look like a metal cap. I’ve only seen a single piece that had a metal foot, and that was the rolling tea cart (where the metal supported the wheels).
Sue A says
I found out what I have is the Copenhagen line. The ferrules were too expensive for Lane to continue
Sam R says
If memory serves, that line was the predecessor to the Acclaim series.
Linda says
I wish I could post a picture of our 1969 bedroom suit. I’m looking for a queen headboard to match it. Its a Mediterranean style with a green antique finish. Can you tell me how yo post a picture?
Talene Kap says
Just can across this site, I have been looking for information about my Lane dinning table. Bought it at a garage sale it gives a serial number of 4985280 Style 876 52 and Walter of Wabash hand carved the sides. Lane could not identify the piece years ago. Does anyone know about this table, know there is a hutch that matches? thanks
Cliff Swearingen says
I have a Lane swivel coffee table but it is not the Acclaim line in that it does not have the dove-tail detailing. The legs are different too being generally a ‘U’ shape with 45 degree angle support struts. The style # 908-91 and the serial # 666-150. Do you have any idea what year this was made and an estimated value. It is in good condition. Thank you.
Sam R says
May 16, 1966. Should be the “Perception” line, as previously noted.
Jenny says
I have a Lane Acclaim desk but am missing original drawer pulls (3 of them). Looking for help in finding them. I have seen it described as being designed by Andre Bus and called either a writing or student desk.
Sam R says
Something worth noting – there were at least two different styles of pulls used on the Acclaim drawers over the years.
Jamie D. says
I’ve seen 3 different pulls on Acclaim desks. The student desk by Andre Bus has a different style pull than the kneehole desk. I’ve seen pics of the kneehole desk with sort of notched-in handles too. My kneehole desk has shiny silver pulls that are a very subtle v-shape with slight curlicue thingies on the ends. They actually don’t look correct or original but they are…I’ve seen the same pulls on various Acclaim pieces online.
Sam R says
My kneehole desk has the same pulls as yours, but most I’ve seen online have the cup-style pulls.
andy says
I have a old lane round table with ceramic inlay all around in American history can’t find anything like it anywhere just would like to know more If you can help in anyway please replay back
Joseph says
Thank you for posting such a great wealth of info on the Lane Acclaim line. I have a couple questions referring to two Lane Step Up end tables that I recently acquired.
Based on the catalog information above the finish is a lacquer. Is this true to all lane finishes for this particular era?
My Step Up end tables are Style number 1487.
Serial No. 752020 Translates to a manufacture date of 02/02/57?
Marked “Lane Altavista, VA Reg. US. Pat. Off”
The finish of the tables is still glossy in most areas but there are some imperfections present which look like “chemical burns”. For example there is a finger print in the gloss, one of the tables appear to have crazing in the finish etc.
8 pictures are attached below via a photobucket link.
Is there a way to simply “correct” or smooth over these ruff patches and have them look smooth and glossy again, or does the table need to be refinished? Also if any one know for sure what the actual finish is I would love to know. I want get these tables looking good as new again. Many thanks for any comments.
Joseph says
Sorry I forgot to attach the link: http://s271.photobucket.com/user/Joey40202/library/
George K. says
I have my mom and dad’s cocktail and end tables that they bought as their first living room furniture in 1959. My grandparents’ neighbor made glass tops for both pieces as a wedding gift so they have been well protected over the years. There are family slides from their first Christmas in their apartment where the pieces are well documented. In the 70s, the end table held our first color TV while the cocktail table was in the basement, then up to the 2nd floor hall room in the 80s with all my new wave posters. I’ve had them since ’93 through two apartments and one house. In “Down With Love” which takes place in 1962, David Hyde Pierce’s character has the end table in his apartment.
Barb Whitlock says
Hi
Researched the acclaim series just yesterday because…..my husband rescued a well loved 900-92 model, lamp table, which was ready to go in the dumpster! The guy handed it to my husband, complete with the metal drawer handle, detached, but in the drawer. Refinished now, and it is an absolute beauty! Just wanted to share this.