Question:
I have a #12, 2-birch leaf in black ink crock. The 12 was printed-stenciled on, but there is no label of who manufactured this item. I’ve checked everywhere on the crock for any markings with no success. The 2-birch leaf resembles that of the Union Stoneware Co. logo. Is this a counterfeit product? It’s in good condition, it has a flaw-crack I believe came from the manufacturing process otherwise no cracks found inside or outside of the crock. The lid does have a crack and has been chipped. It also has no label. Can you tell me who manufactured this crock? What is its worth, It’s history, It’s age,Why no label? M. Terao

Answer: M. Terao, your Minnesota Stoneware Company birch leaf crock was produced between 1895 & 1906. Many of these birch leave crocks did not have an oval. What is commonly talked about is those crocks without the ovals were produced for the Sears & Roebuck Company. Value on the crock is around $150 and it should not be a fake crock. The lid with this damage is valued between $50 & $75. Al Kohlman