Question:
Hello I have a 5 gallon crock, I think it is a water jug, with an unusual swirl design on the front. It also had a spigot near the bottom, and above the spigot it is stamped "Red Wing Stoneware Company". I am new to the collecting world, but have not seen this stamp (it is actually more like an engraving) nor the swirled design before. The piece came from my great grandparents farm. My grandpa says he remembers drinking water out of it in the barn, but they used a ladel hanging on the side, not the spigot. It is in great shape, with only a tiny hairline crack on the bottom that is very hard to see unless you look really closely. I am wondering if you could help me with the date, usage and a value. Thanks much! Jess

Answer: Jess, you have a very early, Red Wing Salt glazed 5 gallon single P water cooler that is front stamped. The single P is a very common decoration and with the small hairline and either a dirty or stained bottom, I would place the value around $4000 to $4500. Try and see if you can clean it up and the value could increase. Your cooler was produced between 1877 & 1895. A nice and hard piece to find. Al Kohlman