Longaberger Ohio Bicentennial & 1996 Dresden Tour II Basket Pair with Lids

A highly collectible 2-piece estate lot of officially licensed, hand-woven hardwood baskets produced by Longaberger Baskets of Dresden, Ohio. This specialized pairing features commemorative regional interest pieces celebrating the company’s hometown factory heritage and state history, complete with custom-fit wooden lids.
Lot Items & Details
2003 Ohio Bicentennial Celebration Basket: A beautiful collector’s basket woven from natural maple splints, decorated with an alternating pattern of deep navy blue and brick red dyed accent splints along the upper body. Equipped with an overhead wood swing handle.
Accessories: Outfitted with a premium WoodCrafts lid featuring a detailed, full-color lithograph illustration celebrating the state of Ohio (1803–2003). The artwork depicts historical landmarks, the state seal, a northern cardinal, carnations, and silhouette cameos of historic Ohio figures. Includes a high-clarity clear plastic structural insert liner carrying an original Longaberger 1997 All-American Collection product card.
Markings: Stamped on the bottom plate with the legacy logo, hand-signed with artisan initials, and explicitly dated 1997 on the wood runner, noting its designated series mold pattern.
1996 Dresden Tour Basket II: A substantial, deep utility basket constructed with a classic plain weave from natural maple hardwoods. Fitted with a single wide, pivoting overhead wood swing handle.
Accessories: Complete with its matching drop-in WoodCrafts lid styled with a contrasting brick-red stained edge band and topped with a central, turned-wood matching red cabinet-style knob handle. Includes a clear plastic interior protective liner.
Markings: Features a bright brass nameplate on the front rim engraved with “Longaberger® 1996 Edition Dresden Tour Basket II™”. The smooth wood base plate is stamped underneath with the official corporate manufacturing logos and hand-signed by the weaver, dated 1996.
Condition Report
Weave & Woodwork: Excellent, collector-grade condition across both items. The woven hardwood splints are tight, stable, and completely free of cracks, structural splits, or loose ends. The lithograph art print on the Bicentennial lid is bright, crisp, and free of scratches or peeling. The red painted knob is firmly attached.
Plastics & Hardware: Both clear plastic interior protective inserts are bright, transparent, and crack-free. The brass nameplate on the 1996 model remains highly polished with no visible oxidation or discoloration.