Question:
Is there an easy way to distinguish between a new water cooler lid and an original? Are there many Red Wing items reproduced to watch out for? Do you have any tips on identifying a beehive shape Red Wing cobalt decorated unmarked jug from other jugs? Thank you for your time and knowledge, Ken

Answer: Ken, there are some reproduced Red Wing water cooler lids. However all of the ones I know of are marked by the new potters. The color of these new lids versus the vintage lids is a little whiter also. They are quite easy to tell apart. Identifying unmarked beehive jugs can be a little tough. The shape of the spout and glaze colors helps, The other area I look at is how the handle is applied. Red Wing potters used both thumbs when applying the handle at the base. They would bring their thumbs together, then press the clay to the jug while pushing their thumbs apart. Many of the other potters applied the hand base by pushing one thumb in the middle of the handle base. Hard to explain but this is the best I can tell you. Al Kohlman