Question:
The time has come to downsize! I have my parents collection of Red Wing dinnerware that would appear to be the Orleans Provincial (1941)design. The set has been untouched since 1987 and is in good (some spalling but no cracking and a noticable chip on one soup bowl lid) to excellent (some pieces look almost new) condition. I have the pitcher, approximatley 9" tall, that is the sample picture on your website and, other than that the flowers on mine are painted on a more vertical line, they are identical. I would note that the color of the main flowers on my pitcher as well as the entire set are in a light violet tint while your picture makes them look more orange but that may either be the size of your picture or the artisans were given leeway to use different hues. To save time I am not including pictures but would be glad to if it were important to you. The set has the following pieces:

PIECE # Dinner plates 8 (10" diameter)
Lunch/Salad plates 5 (7" diameter)
Fruit plates 7 (6" diameter)
Soup bowls 8 Soup bowl lids 8 (with flower handle)
Coffee cups 7 Coffee saucers 8
Tea pot w/ lid 1
Vegetable server 1 (w/ handle & 8" diameter)
Veg. server lid 1 (w/ flower handle Fruit bowl (shallow)
1 (12" diameter)
Pitcher 1
Platter round 1 (14" diameter)
Salt shaker 1
Pepper shaker 1

I am also curious as to whether these pieces are dishwasher safe. Our dishwasher does not have a heating/drying element but uses the retained heat from the water to dry.

As further background, my sense is that this set would have been purchased through Macy*s New York as my father was an executive with them for nearly 40 years. I remember these plates mostly used as everyday service when I was a little boy in the mid-1950′s so would have to assume they were purchased some time in the 1940′s.

If there are any questions you have that would help you please send them to me at the email address provided. Thank you for your input, Michael

Answer:
The Orleans pattern was introduced in 1941 and made until 1950.

I do not recommend washing Orleans dinnerware in a dishwasher. This dinnerware was made long before automatic dishwashers became a common household appliance. Red Wing did not make this dinnerware with dishwashers in mind, and Red Wing’s older patterns such as Orleans are subject to crazing (tiny cracks in the glaze). Crazed pieces would be more liable to be damaged in a dishwasher.

Approximate values for the pieces listed:
10" Dinner plate: $15-25
7" Salad plate: $10-15
6" Bread & Butter plate: $10-15
Cream Soup bowl with cover: $25-40
Cup & saucer: $15-20
Teapot w/cover: $70-90
Water pitcher: $40-60
Covered casserole: $30-50
12" Platter: $25-40
14" Platter: $30-50
S & P shakers: $15-25
All values assume excellent condition. Chips, cracks, stains, etc reduce the value considerably, usually by half or more.

Larry