Question:
Hello. I have a cookie jar that we have always called the Jack of Tarts. His crown is the cover. It is in excellent condition. I am wondering if you might tell me when and why this gem was made, how many were made, and its approximate value. Thanks. Liz

Answer: The name of this cookie jar is the King of Tarts. This jar was made in the multicolor design like yours as well as solid colors (pink, blue, yellow, and possibly others). Some of the solid colored jars have black highlights (eyes, beard, crown, heart-shaped scepter, Tarts) while others have no black at all. I do not know when the King of Tarts was introduced but I would guess the late 1940s based on the ink stamp used on some bases and the fact he does not appear in catalogs with cookie jars that were available in the early to mid 1940s. This jar was discontinued in the mid 1950s. Production numbers for Red Wing products were not made public so we don’t know how many were made. Why was it made? No reason I know other than to make a profit for the company. Value for a multicolored King of Tarts cookie jar in excellent condition (no chips, cracks, flakes, stains or glaze flaws) would be in the range of $400-600.

Larry