Question:
I was excited to find a few pieces of the "Lute Song" collection in a thrift store. A few pieces have the Red Wing stamp on the bottom but the others have no marking at all on the bottom. Here is what I have. I would like to know the value and also why some are marked on the bottom while others are not. I am including a picture
2 small bowls (1 has a chip) blue painted marking only
2 cups – blue painted marking only
1 sugar bowl with lid – blue painted marking only
1 larger bowl – brown painted marking only
1 platter – (has chip) Red Wing stamp on bottom
1 small plate – blue marking and Red Wing stamp on bottom
2 dinner plates – Red Wing stamp no painted marking

Thanks, Sabrina

Answer: I don’t know why Red Wing chose to bottom mark some pieces but not others. In my opinion marking dinnerware was not a high priority for Red Wing, which lead to inconsistencies over the years. For some items the RED WING USA mark is incorporated into the bottom of the mold that formed the item. Flatware (bowls, plates) tend to be ink stamped but not always. Smaller items may not be marked due to lack of space, but there are many unmarked large items as well. These observations apply to all Red Wing dinnerware, not only Lute Song. Inconsistency in marking was one of Red Wing’s quirks.

The brown and blue Asian characters on many pieces are part of the pattern’s design. Supposedly they are Japanese letters that spell "LUTE SONG" and "GOOD LUCK". I have no proof of this but that’s the story I heard years ago.

The basic place setting pieces in your Lute Song collection are worth $5 to $15 each. The sugar bowl is worth $15-20 and the platter and larger serving bowl $20-25 each. All values assume excellent condition; any damage reduces the value of that piece significantly.

Larry