Question:
In 1961 my father was a contestant on a TV game show and won a number of things including a complete dinnerware set from Red Wing. Neither my mother nor my father were familiar with the name. For all those years the dinnerware remained in my mother’s china cabinet, being used only once or twice a year, if that. It’s in perfect condition. The service is for 12, with every possible piece: dinner plate, salad plate, dessert place, soup place, cups, saucers, the tea pot, coffee pot, several casseroles, large salad bowl, many other unique serving pieces. Also included were five or six copper colored stands that warm with a candle. These were never used. Unfortunately, my parents have both passed and we are selling the family home. I have the dinnerware set now. The photo is of some of the pieces…all seem to be hand painted with an "Americana" theme. Most of the larger pieces are marked with "Red Wing USA". Some of the plates have numbering. For example, the larger dinner plate in the photo is marked with 341 and the smaller is marked 140. Can you tell me something about this dinnerware? Thank you, Mary Lohmann Grantham, NH

Answer: The name of this pattern is Hearthside. It is one of the patterns in the Casual shape and is a sister pattern to the popular Bob White and Round Up patterns. Hearthside was introduced in 1961 and was made for about three years. While there certainly are collectors of Hearthside, it is not among the more popular Red Wing patterns. Basic pieces such as plates and bowls are fairly common; supply seems to exceed the demand. But pieces such as the teapot, pitcher, and beverage server are harder to find and command a good price from collectors interested in those specific pieces.

The numbers on your plates such as 341 and 140 are stock numbers and hold no special meaning or value to collectors.

Generally complete sets of dinnerware can be difficult to sell and don’t fetch premium prices. But if your Hearthside set is complete and near mint as you’ve described, an interested collector might be found.

Here are some representative retail values for various Hearthside pieces. All values are "per each" and assume excellent condition. Damaged pieces are generally worth about half as much.

Salad bowl 12": $40-50
Platter 13": $20-30
3-section relish dish: $20-30
Butter dish with cover: $25-35
Creamer & sugar with cover: $30-35
Cup & saucer: $10-15
Vegetable bowl 9": $20-25
Rim soup bowl 8": $15-20
Dinner plate 11": $15-20
Smaller plates and bowls: $5-10

Teapot: $75-125

Beverage server with cover (coffee pot): $50-75

60oz pitcher: $50-75

Salt & Pepper: $25 pair

Larry