Chest

Item:
Antique Cedar Chest
Maker: Ed Roos Company of Forest Park
Origin: Forest Park, Illinois, USA
Date: Circa 1920s–1930s
Material: Tennessee Aromatic Red Cedar
Construction: Solid cedar interior, with ornate hand-carved wood veneer exterior panels and turned spindle columns. Inset with decorative floral and foliate motifs on red paneling. Brass hardware.
Condition: Good overall; exterior shows wear and scuffs on the lid from age and use. Interior appears clean and retains the original paper label and cedar smell. Lid label intact and readable.

Description and Authentication

This cedar chest is an authentic early 20th-century piece made by the Ed Roos Company of Forest Park, a renowned American manufacturer known for high-quality cedar chests from around 1918 to the 1950s. The company’s products were widely marketed as offering protection from moths, dust, and humidity, thanks to their use of genuine Tennessee red cedar.

Your piece displays classic Ed Roos construction, including:

• A stamped manufacturer's mark inside the lid (“E.R. Co Forest Park, Ill.”),
• A large printed guarantee label stating its protective qualities,
• Membership seal of the National Association of Cedar Chest Manufacturers (stamped inside the chest),
• Stylized hand-carved Renaissance Revival panel designs, twisted rope columns, and decorative moldings on bun feet.

The overall craftsmanship and decorative design point to Roos’ high-end production lines, likely dating to the late 1920s or early 1930s. These were considered premium household furnishings at the time, often gifted to brides and young women, known colloquially as "hope chests."

Estimated Market Value (2025)

• Current Fair Market Value: $300 – $500 USD
• Replacement (Retail) Value: $600 – $900 USD
• Auction Estimate: $200 – $400 USD (depending on location and buyer interest)

Factors impacting value:

• Excellent preservation of interior labeling and structure.
• Decorative, ornate front panels increase desirability.
• Top surface shows finish wear, but restoration could enhance resale potential.
• Strong appeal to collectors of vintage cedar chests, especially Roos and Lane.

Historical Notes

The Ed Roos Company was one of the most prolific cedar chest manufacturers in the United States. At its peak, it was producing up to 1,000 chests a day from its massive factory in Forest Park, Illinois. Roos chests were especially known for blending utility and elegance, often with ornate or painted panels and hand-finished carvings, as seen in your example.

Recommendation

While the chest is not currently for sale, preserve its condition by avoiding harsh cleaning agents and consider placing a soft cloth over the lid to prevent further scuffing. If you ever choose to sell or insure the item, a professional appraisal from a vintage furniture dealer or antique auction house would support documentation and potentially increase buyer trust or insurance coverage.