Question:
I have a 5 gallon beehive jug I think is salt galzed it has a sideways 8 under the five no other markings in excellent condition. I can send a pictures to an email address to whom ever responds to this. What can you tell me about this piece?

Answer: Gretchen, looking at the top of your 5 gallon salt glaze jug along with the back of the handle where it attaches to the jug, I am quite sure it is Red Wing. The decoration is called a lazy 8. Your jug was manufactured sometime between 1867 & 1895. It is a very common decoration and a number of other stoneware companies used it as well. It has nice turkey drippings which came from a kiln that had excess crystallized salt dripping from it’s ceiling. Collectors love these drippings as long as they do not take away from the decoration. Your jug could have a value between $500 and up to $1000 depending on the desire of the person who would need it for their collection. Al Kohlman