Question:
Yesterday, at a flea market in Pennsylvania, I purchased a lovely Red Wing coffee pot. It is off-white (beige) in color with a brown leaf and yellow flower circling the pot and upper drip section. The lid has a very art deco design. The bottom is stamped Red Wing USA with the number 252 (as best as I can make out) Can you please tell me something about this piece. History, proper name, value, etc… Thank you, Stephen

Answer: In 1943 Red Wing introduced three Dripolators as part of their expansive Gypsy Trail Hostess Ware line. The Dripolators do not match a particular dinnerware pattern or have a specific name; they were intended to be used alone or with any of the four Gypsy Trail dinnerware patterns. The three Dripolators are bottom marked RED WING USA and either 252, 253 or 254. We aren’t certain when production ended but the Dripolators were made for only a brief period; probably until around the end of World War II. I would consider all three Dripolators to be scarce – not common but not easily found either. Value for a 252 Dripolator in excellent condition would be $40-60.

Larry