Question:
I have a 5 gal. red wing crock, no wing, cursive for the number 5, has advertising as follows: blocked out in blue ink, silver bros. we usually have it or we’ll get it for you Luarel, -neb. below this box is an oval circle with red wing union stoneware company red wing minn. has wooden handles also stamped is patened dec. 21 1915, what is the value of this item, in good shape no flaws that i can see? thanks Mike

Answer: Mike, I have not seen this advertising before, especially on a 5 gallon Red Wing crock. It sounds really nice, but I want you to make sure that someone has not applied the advertising on it after the crock was made. To make sure your piece is not a fake, I want you to take a small pocket knife and scrape a corner of the advertising to see if it flakes off. If the advertising is original, it will be under the glaze and you will not hurt the crock or it’s advertising. If it is fake, the advertising will chip right off. Also, when looking at the advertising, it may look like it is under the glaze, however, the people who ad these advertising, apply a finish over the new ads and they look like they are under the glaze which fools many people. If after scraping the ad and it does not come off, your 5 gallon Red Wing crock would have a value between $1800 & $2500. If the ad comes off, I will bet there is a Red Wing under the ad and the crock is now worth $75 to $90. Hope this helps. Al Kohman