Question:
We are having an estate tag sale. We have a set of Red Wing Bob White China. The appraiser told us a weird story that we can only sell it for display because the dishes were taken off the market and are considered poisonous. We doubt this as these dishes have been in the family for years and no one died from them. He was dead serious. He said any food item with lactose in it activates the glaze and the poison. Do you know of this? THank you Cathy

Answer: The only reason Bob White dinnerware was taken off the market was because Red Wing Potteries went out of business in 1967. Bob White and other Red Wing dinnerware is still in use today. Some people have concerns about lead in the glaze. I would avoid using cracked or chipped pieces, but would have no concerns about using pieces with an intact glaze. This is the first time I’ve heard Red Wing dinnerware called "poisonous", and the lactose story is a new one on me too.

Larry