Curious About a Chest

I inherited this chest from my grandfather, but my family doesn't know much about it. There was speculation that it came from Japan when he was stationed there. Then today I discovered a stamp on the bottom saying New York - but I don't know if that is a maker's stamp, or a transport stamp, or what...

I was hoping someone might have more insight into this, and whether it is something unique and antique, or just a sturdy run of the mill storage piece.

Here's the pictures:

Thank you!

Front:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/iwqzq1pzlj0kawk/20150909_140621.jpg?dl=0

Front, open:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vcpu2txjuzry0au/20150909_140658.jpg?dl=0

Side/handle:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/9gm9vyhwg5jkair/20150909_140743.jpg?dl=0

Full underside:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2s9ffknzjjcej1m/20150909_140832.jpg?dl=0

Stamp:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vnopzcgjrqmsbsc/20150909_140849.jpg?dl=0

 

I agree. I've got one very similar holding up my TV.

 

It also says Pueblo, Colorado.

 

Ruh Roh!
~
What service please?
Thank you for his service!

 

American cedar chest. 40s seems about right to me.

 

I have one similar but no wheels and a bit older.

 

The two locations stamped on it is part of why I was confused as to whether they were transport marks? Like a to/from stamp rather than a maker's mark. And I can't find a maker's mark on this one, not even in the seam around the lid. So I'm guessing it had been a sticker that got peeled off at some point.

Given that this isn't anything particularly interesting, is it worth anything? Would the value be ruined if I sanded the top and did a decorative stain?

you guys are so helpful. Thank you.

 

I hadn't looked at the stamp til now. I find a New York Furniture Company with R. Katz as proprietor listed in Pueblo, CO in their 1923 city directory. No mention as to whether this was a manufacturer or a retailer but does explain the two cities together.

http://files.usgwarchives.org/co/pueblo/history/directories/1923/pueblobu37nms.txt

 

The bottom looks like aromatic american red cedar.

sand the top....stain it softly....enjoy the box !!!!