Question:
Hello there I have a large planter with the grape cluster/oak leaf pattern. Labeled "Red Wing USA 310" It stands approximately 10" high and is 12" wide at the top. It is a glossy tanish/very light brown in color… It also has the initials "AM" under the glaze…was there a specific artist or potter with those initials. It is in decent shape with a small bite here and there, no cracks or major chips. I do not know much about RW items and I am learning as I go. I have never seen any initials on the bottom of any RW piece. I know it must be hard to determine value without a picture…but I am most interested in the initials and why they would be there. Thank you for your time. Bernie

Answer: Hi Bernie

No pic necessary, your piece is from 1966, a year before Red Wing closed it”s doors. I’m not familiar with who "AM" would be. sometime the employees did put an inital on them, or to someone they knew. It could also be an aftermarket or hobby shop item, done after Red Wing closed. some of the molds were used by hobby shops after the factory closed. A lot of those pieces do carry initials. The original glaze color is an ivory background with a dark brown glaze "wiped" in to highlight the detail. that would tell if it was done at Red Wing or later on. Value is around 45.00. condition is everything, the dings will hurt it’s value. thanks, steve n rose