Question:
I have just discovered tht I have a Hamms beer popcorn bowl collection. I have a large bowl, 4 smaller bows, salt and pepper shaker, and a pitcher. My husbands grandfather was a Hamms Distributor back in the day. Curious about how much this is worth? Debbie

Answer: Your "Popcorn Set" was made by Red Wing exclusively for the Hamm’s Brewing Company in the late 1950s. The set includes a large 12" bowl, four smaller individual serving bowls, a set of salt & pepper shakers, and a 60oz pitcher. Thus the set you’ve described is complete. All pieces feature elements from the outdoor scene depicted on the large bowl. The shapes for these pieces were borrowed from the Casual dinnerware line; Bob White and Round Up are well-known patterns in the Casual shape. This popcorn set was not available for sale to the public and only a limited (though unknown) number of them were made. Hamm’s gave these popcorn sets as holiday gifts to their beer distributors and other "friends" of the brewery. A holiday card from Hamms dated 1957 is known to exist; it was found along with a boxed set in an attic. But the set may have been distributed by Hamms for more than the one year.

Today this set is highly prized by collectors of both Red Wing pottery and Hamm’s memorabilia. In past years a full set in excellent condition would sell for around $2000. In today’s economy the value is probably down a bit but not by too much.

Larry