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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Anthony Mainolfa says
The tops of the acclaim series are definitely veneered, as is stated in all info about the tables. They refinish beautifully, but care needs to be taken so as not to sand through the veneer. Once refinished, the look is beautiful.
Does anyone know for how long the line was produced? I recall having read that it ended sometime in 1963 or 1964. I have 9 pieces, all of which I have refinished to beautiful effect, and the latest production date I have found is 1963. However, on another site on which I found a table for sale, the seller states that it was from the early 70’s. Any one know if they were produced that late?
Betsy says
Looking for some help. Came across a Lane server from 1957 with style no. 130-51 BUFF (serial no.756021). Would love your advice on how to value and/or research. It’s a 4-door buffet and it’s clearly marked on the back! Thanks for your help.
pam kueber says
Hi Betsy, we don’t really do valuations on the blog. Possibly: Check ebay or other online sites to see what sales prices have been. I don’t tend to think these are worth excessive amounts of money…. Good luck.
Brad says
Hi Betsy,
I see your comment is now a few years old but I am curious if you ever discovered anything further about your 1957 Lane buffet? Soon after they were married, my grandparents purchased a Lane bedroom set with your identical serial number, so I suppose your buffet was coming out of the factory on the same day as my pieces! They predate the Acclaim series but they have a veneer dovetail feature on the top surfaces with a little bit of a woven wood paneling like the Perception series has. I haven’t been able to find out more. The nightstands are stenciled “150-30.NT”
Shelly Rios says
French Polish? Sounds beautiful. What is it? (Comment made before I obsessively research on line, lol).
Lori says
I refinish furniture and have done several Acclaim pieces. The lacquer finish on most pieces has deteriorated after 50 years of wear but can be replicated with good results. Often people forget or choose not to reapply the gunstock stain. The oak detail is then too light and jumps out as a refinished piece. Yes, veneer is over walnut and is rather thin veneer so careful sanding, especially the edges which experience the most wearing. There are products such as Waterlox that offer more protection than lacquer but for my resale pieces, I stick with the lacquer and a French polish because that’s what collectors want.
Cherpdx says
Hi Lori-
Would you mind a quick step-by-step on how you get your Lane refinished pieces back to their (almost) original condition. I have used Citristrip & Citristrip Paint Stripper Afterwash to remove the damaged veneer, but didn’t know what the next step is. It looks lovely without the veneer and with a nice coating Howard Feed n Wax. However a) the Oak is indeed too light, and b) it doesn’t look original. Thanks – Cherpdx
Deb says
Hi I saw your post about restoring the Lane furniture. I picked up an old lane table. It looks like it has the veneer on top. Its style no 900 05. The edges of the table are also loose. I have no experience refinishing furniture I am looking for sites or resources that could help me restore this piece. Did you find anything from your post.
Thanks
Deb
Vida Ricks says
Greetings Lori, what is “gunstock stain”? Where can I find some?
Debbie says
While on a weekend holiday, I bought a Lane “Earl’s Court” corner desk that’s beautiful but doesn’t fit where I thought it would. Now I’m interested in selling it, but I can’t find any info on it.
Does anyone know anything about this line?
caroline says
I have a lane table style 971 Serial #851350. I can’t find anything about it, or its value. Can any help?
Cherpdx says
Madmen Season 5 – Episode 12 (spoiler alert) Lane uses a Lane Acclaim end table to assist his suicide. I had to go back and watch the scene again because I got so distracted by spotting “my” end tables.
Galen says
Was surprised to hear this Linda…The x-base coffee table i have is a walnut veneer glued to a lesser grade walnut ….Sounds like they were cutting corners with some of the production or maybe my table is unusual.
Linda says
I wish I’d taken a picture. I was surprised and disappointed. How do you know it’s walnut veneer glued to walnut? Just curious, as I wouldn’t have know this was the case had mine not fallen apart. there were wood on the underneath, that looked like it was solid, with the Lane logo burned in. But first one of the edges started coming loose, and then it fell off, and the particle board was exposed.
Shelly Rios says
Linda, you must have purchased the 314 group that, deduce, may be a later and more inexpensive model. I was lucky enough to purchase a Lane acclaim dresser chest recently with the booklet still inside. My model does not have the tapered legs and has a veneer top as well. The booklet states that there are 2 different groups: 314 (whose bedroom sets is called the “Versatiles”) and 900.
I wonder if anyone else has more information on this. I collect and sell mid-century furniture pieces, and like to be as knowledgeable as possible about them. BTW- I will be listing this piece soon. 🙂
Linda says
That could be. I don’t remember what the number was on the bottom. It was like the 900-17. I only paid $20 for it at an auction, so the investment was minimal, but I do love the line. I’ll still buy them when I find a good price, but I’ll know they are not solid. An estate sale has a great desk from this line this weekend for $325, which is probably good. But I don’t have a place for it now. They also had 3 tables.
Joelann says
Hi, I want to comment on the groups because I have a 5 piece dresser set (side table, tall boy, long 9 drawer dresser with 2 mirrors that attach to the back of the long dresser) and the numbers on it are 315-10-R and ser. num. 66056. I cant find much info on it except it was made in Altavista, VA and it’s mid-century modern. Do you have any info? I can send you pics if necessary.
linda forsyth says
joelann I have a lane cocktale table design 3185371 style #0900-1 series#263011 could u give me any info on it. maybe a value as I would sell it. tks linda
Linda says
I do love this line. However, I wonder if anybody else has discovered, as I sadly have, that the top is NOT solid wood. I bought a table at auction(luckily didn’t pay a lot for it), and had it under a tarp until I could make room in my house for it. The top came apart from humidity, and was a particle board like substance with a veneer top. the edges were wood, and fell off. So, the catalog is puzzling, in it implies they are solid walnut. Not so. Doesn’t change my love for the look, but if you think they can be refinished like wood, I’d be very careful.
MadHungarian says
Wow. I just bought the drop leaf dining table and 4 chairs for my new home. I have leads on a couple cocktail and lamp (end) tables which I will probably get too for my living room. As you can imagine I am DESPERATE for a hutch!