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Question:
These two miniature 2 3/4" high stoneware jugs look like souvenirs of the St. Louis expo in 1901 (although the expo. was in Buffalo, NY that year, and not held in St. Louis until 1904). The wording is hand applied glaze done after the firing of the jugs. The color of the wording matches exactly to the glaze of the jugs, and was no doubt done by someone at the company when the jugs were made. I am 99% sure they are Red Wing. They have the same shape, color of glaze, color of stoneware, and the "feel" of Red Wing when you pick them up. My questions are: have you seen anything like them made by Red Wing, would they be souvenir pieces created for the St. Louis 1901 expo, or were they linked somehow to St. Louis, Minnesota, which changed its name to St. Louis Park around 1901 (so as not to be confused with St. Louis, Missouri)? Also, what they would be worth. They are in extremely good condition with no cracks, chips, etc., except for the hand-applied glaze has worn off of one of the jugs. Thanks for any info! Vicki.
Answer: Vicki, first of all your mini jugs are Red Wing. I have not seen this type of advertising on any Red Wing mini jugs, but have seen other Red Wing mini jugs with painted logos that were applied after the glazing. There are two problems with this type of painted logo. First of all the logo’s tend to wear off if the jugs are handled to much. Second, the logos could have been applied at any time and the jugs re fired (this being the worst case). If original, these logo applied advertising pieces after the glazed was applied carry a value between $80 & $100. Al Kohlman