Question:

Hi….sorry no picture but…I have a 20 gallon crock with 4 birch leaves with oval trademark ref.

RED WING..UNION STONEWARE …RED WING MINN. NO APPARENT CRACKS OR CHIPS…There appears to be a small ‘bubble’ on the inside of crock??? Not sure what it is…but my question is in ref to lack of handles….The crock is totally smooth all the way around..no handles and no indentations/grips to pick it up..I am surprised there is no damage…what was this used for and is this odd that there is nothing to allow easier pick up????    I don’t plan on selling it but would like to know the value…thanks so much for your time.   Leanne

Answer:

Leanne, your 20 gallon birchleaf crock with no handles was produced by the Red Wing Stoneware Company before they came up with the red wing in 1909.  This tells me that your 20 gallon crock was produced between 1985 & 1909..  If there is an oval on your crock, it would be Red Wing’s first oval which is called the ski oval.  Red Wing used birch leaves before the red wing was produced and therefore there is no handles.  The Minnesota Stoneware Company also used birch leaves, but there pieces had molded handles.  The value of your 20 gallon in perfect condition is right around $250.  Al Kohlman