Question:
While living in Mankato, MN I purchased a 1953 plate for St Joseph Hospital in Mankato. It is purple in color and marked red wing on the bottom. Can you tell me how much it is worth and more about the plate? Thanks, Daniel

Answer: Your item is not a plate, it is an ashtray. The purple color is unusual for Red Wing and is found on a few pieces made in the early to mid 1950s. This ashtray is a specialty piece made for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Mankato, MN. The center of the ashtray depicts an aerial view of the hospital. Besides the name of the hospital and the city, the face of the ashtray also includes the dates 1897-1953. I’m not sure of the significance of these dates. 1897 is likely the year the hospital opened and 1953 is the year this ashtray was made. Perhaps it commemorates a construction project or a consolidation. Value is $75-100. thanks, steve n rose