We picked up this very nice set of tables at an estate sale recently and have been trying to investigate their history for a couple of days now with little success. They are similar to the Acclaim tables that Lane was apparently making at the same time, but they are stamped with the plain 'Virginia Maid' logo, without the 'by Lane'. The serials indicate they were manufactured in '62, which I guess means they were made at the same time as the Acclaim line? The only thing I can find about Virginia Maid is that it was a Lane trademark, but little else. This is the only picture or link with the same coffee table that I could find:
The side tables look like this:
http://westerlycreative.blogspot.com/2013/12/virginia-maid-end-table-with-drawer.html
Anybody know anything about this line of furniture? Virginia Maid seems to be known mainly for their chests, but it seems like they were making Acclaim-like furniture for at least ten years (found later coffee tables and side tables with the 'by Lane' added to the logo from '72). Any history about this company and the difference between or relation to the Acclaim line would be very helpful and appreciated. Thanks.
Edit: first post, deciding to add images if people are against copying and pasting links.
Any thoughts?
Personally, I think I like the look of this table more than the Acclaim stuff. The side tables are a little cheaper, as you can see the plywood from underneath, but the coffee table is really fantastic... the finish is still intact, save a couple nicks, slight pokes here and there, and the color and patina is pretty nice. The pictures I posted are of a refinished table, which is darker and has been made to pull out the grain more. Our tables are closer in tone to the Acclaim line, with a subtler contrast that allows the details in the wood to pop out. I'm normally not that fascinated with stuff like this, but it is crazy to me that I can't find anything about a table like this when the Acclaim furniture seems to be such a popular topic. If Lane was making these tables under a different trademark, what is the story there? Was Virginia Maid a test run, or was the company not exactly unified and running different branches independently, or what?
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