Description: WHAT YOU ARE BUYING/BIDDING ON #43046 Mid century Caswell Runyan Co cedar Hope chest. Made of walnut and cedar featuring art deco / waterfall styling. At the turn of the 20th century, one of the most valuable items in any family’s household was the cedar chest. They stored valuables, linens and clothes, and the sweet smell of the cedar kept moths and other insects away. They were a traditional wedding item for a young bride handmade by her father. In 1907, John Wallace Caswell and Winfred Runyan had the idea to create the first company to commercially produce the household staple. They moved from their hometown of North Manchester and eventually gave Huntington the honor of being “Home of the Cedar Chest.” Caswell and Runyan purchased a 15,000-square foot factory at 1025 E. Franklin Street and initially hired seven employees. Within 10 years, the factory had expanded not only in size, but also in the products they turned out, adding a line of floor lamps and telephone stands. They also added a subsidiary corporation, the Wabash Shade Company, which made lampshades. In 1925 they added again to their line and became the first to commercially produce radio cabinets, and later, jukeboxes. At their height, Caswell-Runyan turned out hundreds of varieties of chests. In 1929, Caswell-Runyan merged with the Utah Radio Products Co. to produce both radios and cabinets. During World War II, many factories retooled to assist in the war effort. Caswell-Runyan maintained one line of cedar chests and sewing cabinets, but the rest of the company focused on filling war contracts, which led them to add a metal division. Following the war, the company continued to grow, expanding to multiple buildings and hundreds of employees. Caswell and Runyan were not only involved in their business, but also in civic affairs of the city and in social circles. When Runyan’s son, Richard ‘Dick’ Caswell Runyan, died at the young age of 15 in 1924, Winfred purchased the YMCA Boys Camp on Lake Tippecanoe near North Webster where Dick had spent his previous four summers. It was dedicated and renamed “Camp Dick Runyan’” that summer and for decades since countless children have spent summers there. Caswell was a director at the First National Bank and build a beautiful home that still stands on North Jefferson Street. Winfred Runyan died December 25, 1942, of a heart attack. J.W. Caswell died one month following on January 25, 1943. The company went through ownership changes after that, until June 7, 1962, when the one of the most devastating fires in the history of Huntington destroyed the factory. Smoke could be seen for more than 25 miles and the damage reached $3 million. CONDITION Fair condition, wear and distressing, heavy scuffing / marking, missing veneer, fading. DIMENSIONS 48" x 18 5/8" x 22" PAYMENT The sooner you pay, the sooner you get your item. The Designers Consignment insists on receiving payment within 3 days of your winning bid or Purchase, otherwise we reserve the right to make a second chance offer to the second place bidder or re-list the item. Please let us know if you have any additional questions. SHIPPING & HANDLING We are currently unable to ship to international US locations. This includes Guam, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.We are sorry for the inconvenience. We will ship any item anywhere. We do are very best to package and secure all our items so they make safe trips to their new homes. Most of our items ship out same day, excluding items with odd/abnormal dimensions and freight items. We include insurance and tracking on all of our items and also offer a 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE to ensure satisfaction. We also will combine shipping, provide storageand local pickup. If for any reason the cost of our calculated shipping is above or below current rates we will contact you and make adjustments and/or issue necessary refunds. We strive to get your items delivered in the most safe and cost effective manner. Our shipping methods include, USPS, UPS, FedEx, Greyhound, Private Transport, Brinks and various LTL carriers for when crate shipping is necessary. Please let us know if you have any additional questions. Add a map to your own listings. FREE Trial!
Price: 640 USD
Location: Dayton, Ohio
End Time: 2024-12-22T10:23:29.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: 20%
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Antique: Yes
Type: Trunk
Item Height: 22 in
Style: Art Deco
Material: Walnut
Item Length: 48 in
Item Width: 19 in
