Question:
I have a large, maybe 3 qt. pot. Maybe used as a roaster, or cassarole dish, my grandmother used it for beans. It is tan,unglazed on the outside. The lid and interior are terra cotta colored and very glazed. It has one handle, and a spout. The bottom of this has the words REDWING USA 125. Can you tell me anything about this? Not even sure if it is the real thing. thanks

Answer: In the 1940s during the World War II years Red Wing introduced Provincial Cooking Ware. The line included only baking pieces such as casseroles, stock or bean pots, marmites (individual size casserole), and open baking dishes. The exteriors are bisque (unglazed), the interiors and covers have a rust-colored glaze, and the sides are marked "Red Wing Provincial Cooking Ware" along with a stock number. The bisque exteriors were impossible to keep clean, and surviving pieces today usually have a very dirty appearance.

In the early 1960s Red Wing re-introduced this line as Provincial Bakeware. The new line retained the same pieces, shapes and rust-colored interiors and covers as the 1940s line. There are two significant differences between the 1940s and the 1960s pieces. The newer line has a tan glaze on the exteriors, made to resemble the old bisque exteriors but be much easier to keep clean. And the newer pieces are marked "RED WING USA" along with a stock number on the bottom rather than on the side.

Your item has a single handle with a pour spout and is marked on the bottom, thus is must be a 1960s Provincial Bakeware casserole. Casseroles were made in three sizes: 5 quart, 3 quart and 1.5 quart — you apparently have the 3 quart size. The values for both the 1940s and 1960s versions are rather low as they include only baking items and thus don’t attract much interest from collectors, who generally prefer full dinnerware sets. Your 3 quart casserole would be worth around $20 if it is in excellent condition.

Larry