Question:
Hi, I have had this cobalt pitcher for a very long time. Red-Wing 251 U.S.A is written into the clay. The base is 4" across, from spout to handle, 12", 3 1/4" x 3 1/2". Under the curves handle are ridges. I suppose for an easy hold of the pot. The pot is flawless, no crackling, chips, anything! The only flaw, if it is a flaw, was in firing, there is a little white on the handle, where not enough cobalt was applied. Thank you for all your assistance! I can’t beleive I found you, as I had searched high and low for a resource. Thank you again! Jan

Answer: After the successful introduction of several Gypsy Trail dinnerware patterns, Red Wing introduced a line of accessory pieces under the name Gypsy Trail Hostess Ware. The earliest Hostess Ware catalog I’ve seen is dated April 1940. Hostess Ware was glazed with the same bright and pastel colors used for the Gypsy Trail dinnerware patterns and was intended to be mixed and matched with any of them.

Your 251 pitcher first appears in a June 1942 Hostess Ware catalog. The initial pitchers were made like yours, with a long looping unsupported handle. The handle was an obvious weak point. A full pitcher carried by the handle with no other support often broke at some point along the handle. Soon Red Wing revised this pitcher to include a support brace under the handle. The revised pitcher features a vertical bar that extends from the back of the pitcher’s opening up to the handle.

An early version 251 pitcher in excellent condition is worth at $50-80. Blue is a desirable color, so your pitcher would be at the upper end of that range.

Larry