Question:

Hello,
 
And thank you for your time and patience in advance in reviewing my request for information. 
 
I have picked up three Red Wing items that I am curious about history, correct names, their patterns and of course their market value and values for insurance.
 
1.  First one… is a Smart Set double casserole with stand.  (see photo)
     a.  The pottery is free from any crazing, cracks or any chips, with the one exception shown in the attached photo of the lid. (marked in red square – see photo)/
     b.  Was there any kind of rubber between the pottery handles and the wire frames…..they are not present now.  What do you know of this issue?
     c.  Also, I have added small plastic feet on the bottoms of the wire frame to avoid scratches on my table……I expect they may have been rubber?? What do you know of this issue?
    d.  And was there a black holder for a candle or for a sterno can or how did the heating originally work?
    e.  Also, I have seen these size casseroles with LlDS with the design like on the plates (not black like these have) what’s the story with that?
    f.   Finally, what would you value it at both for “market value” and “insurance value”, if they are different???
 
2.  Second piece is just the wire frame stand for a the same size casserole as in the doulbe set above. 
     a.  This has a small black holder for what I don’t know, a candle? / sterno?
     b.  What is it’s value?
 
3.  The final piece is a ‘Midnight Rose’  tid bit tray (see photo). No crazing, cracks or any chips of any kind.  Also no knife scrapes. 
    a.   What does the “Anniversary” part/name mean or is there for?  How does it relate this pattern.  Is it the name of the blanks as we guess that, that is what it means?
   b.    What would you value it at both for “market value” and “insurance value”, if they are different?
 
Would you be so kind as to email me the ‘web page link’ where my question with the answer will be posted on the website.  I haven’t been able to locate it.
 
ONCE AGAIN, WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN ANSWERING THE ABOVE!
 
THANK YOU & GOD BLESS!
Ron & Janey

Answer:

1.  First one… is a Smart Set double casserole with stand.  (see photo)
     a.  The pottery is free from any crazing, cracks or any chips, with the one exception shown in the attached photo of the lid. (marked in red square – see photo)/
     b.  Was there any kind of rubber between the pottery handles and the wire frames…..they are not present now.  What do you know of this issue?  Yes, a rubber ring or gasket was originally present.  It is quite common for rubber parts to dry out and deteriorate over time.  Yours could very well have simply dried out and fallen apart.  Attached is a photo of the same item with at least one of the gaskets in place.

     c.  Also, I have added small plastic feet on the bottoms of the wire frame to avoid scratches on my table……I expect they may have been rubber?? What do you know of this issue?  Yes, there were black rubber “feet” on the ends of the iron legs.

    d.  And was there a black holder for a candle or for a sterno can or how did the heating originally work?  Yes, there was a black cup or holder for a small heating candle that came with the stand.  Attached is a photo of a similar stand from the Bob White pattern with the two cups in place.

    e.  Also, I have seen these size casseroles with LlDS with the design like on the plates (not black like these have) what’s the story with that?  Covers for Smart Set pieces could be purchased in either contrasting black or decorated with the matching Smart Set pattern.  The choice was up to the customer. 

    f.   Finally, what would you value it at both for “market value” and “insurance value”, if they are different???  I am collector, not an appraiser.  I am willing to provide my estimate of the current market value for Red Wing dinnerware but do not get involved with appraisals or insurance values.  Value for a complete Smart Set double casserole stand with two covered casseroles would be $100-125. 
 
2.  Second piece is just the wire frame stand for a the same size casserole as in the doulbe set above. 
     a.  This has a small black holder for what I don’t know, a candle? / sterno?  It holds a small votive-type candle.

     b.  What is it’s value?   For the stand alone, around $25-30 assuming excellent condition.
 
3.  The final piece is a ‘Midnight Rose’  tid bit tray (see photo). No crazing, cracks or any chips of any kind.  Also no knife scrapes. 
    a.   What does the “Anniversary” part/name mean or is there for?  How does it relate this pattern.  Is it the name of the blanks as we guess that, that is what it means?  There were six patterns produced in the Anniversary shape. This shape was introduced in 1953, which was the 75^th anniversary of Red Wing Stoneware Company.  Numerous events were held to celebrate this anniversary, including the naming of this dinnerware line.

   b.    What would you value it at both for “market value” and “insurance value”, if they are different?  Tidbit trays were not considered to be part of the dinnerware pattern.  They were sold as giftware.  Tidbit trays were a way for Red Wing Potteries to use up surplus stocks of plates and bowls, usually after a pattern had been discontinued.  Workers drilled a hole in the leftover pieces and then assembled them into one, two or three tiered tidbit trays.  Most of these were sold at the Red Wing Potteries Salesroom along with “seconds” (flawed pieces).  Many collectors consider tidbit trays to be ruined by the hole and values are minimal, not more than $25 and usually less than $10.