Question:
Hello! I just picked up this (almost) exact crock at an antique store. (I found this photo online when I got home). The markings are identical except I think the wing on mine is smaller than this photo; mine is 4" across, and the oval is about 2 1/4". I’m thinking this means it was made more towards the 1936 end rather than the 1906 end of "Red Wing Union Stoneware Co." Also the red of the red wing seems to have eaten its way through the glaze and it looks sort of bubbled up and chippy in parts. Hope it’s not glowing!! :) But the coolest part (I think) is, the crock I have also has a lid. The lid has a handle in the center of a 10 petal flower embossed in the clay and it also has a number"2" on one of the petals. I’ve never seen a lid before so I grabbed it! The lid has two pretty big chips but otherwise is in one piece. I happily paid $45 for this crock, and I suspect I made out pretty well! What would you say it is worth? Thank you! Jeny Pomber, Seattle WA

Answer: Jeny, your Red Wing 2 gallon crock with the 4 inch wing was made between 1906 & 1930. I have seen quite a few Red Wing 2 gallon crocks and it is not uncommon to have the red Wing so dark that it looks almost embossed into the clay. The lid you mentioned is indeed the correct Red Wing lid for this crock. The crock along in mint condition can fetch anywhere from $45 to $65. The lid (by inself) for this crock in mint condition sells between $100 & $125. All in all, I would say you did alright. Al Kohlman