Question:
I spoke to a very helpful lady from Red Wing Collectors this evening who instructed me to provide this picture of the Red Wing plates I recently acquired. I believe the pattern is Golden Viking, but the coloration may indicate a varaition or possible "lunch hour" plate. I have a 40+ set of plates, bowls, etc and among the set their is some pretty distinct variation between green/yellow/gold colors.

Chip Dip
Creamer
3 serving bowls large to small:
8 dinner plates
8 salad plates
6 nappy
7 saucers, no cups
9 cereal bowl
12-14 in platter
6 – 8 platter
8 small plates

Any help with identification, date of production and value would be much appreciated. Thanks! Glenway

Answer: Stacy provided me with another photo you sent that shows your Golden Viking pieces laid out for viewing. I see nothing to indicate these pieces are anything other than standard production pieces. Lunch hour plates are almost always signed on the back by the artist. Company test or sample plates have code numbers on the back. It’s true that your Golden Viking pieces show some variation in color, but that can be attributed to slight differences in the glaze from batch to batch. Also keep in mind these pieces were hand painted, quite likely by several different workers. Slight variations in the firing process could also be a contributing factor.

Golden Viking is one of ten patterns made in the Futura shape. It was made for only two years, 1956-1957. The company brochure described the pattern as an all-over leaf pattern in "stunning shades of mustard-gold with soft brown". The brochure also calls the pattern "a contemporary Danish design". Another Futura pattern named Northern Lights has the same design but in shades of silver-gray and turquoise.

The estimated values below assume excellent condition:
Divided vegatable dish = $25-30
Creamer = $15-20
Dinner plate 10.5" = $15-20
Salad plate 8.5" = $10
Bread & butter plate 6.5" = $7.50
Saucer = $5
Cereal bowl = $10-15
Nappy = $20-25
Platter 15" = $25-30

Larry