Question:

I recently bought this 30 gallon Red Wing Crock that does not have any bale or pressed handles.  The stamp date looks like it says 1881.  The condition is excellent (no cracks at all), but the fit & finish make me wonder if it was hand-crafted rather than casted.  Any idea on the value?  I paid $350.

Thanks,

Matt

Answer: Matt, you have the Red Wing Potteries oval. It reads “Red Wing Potteries, Inc. Red Wing Minn”.  That oval was used from 1936 to 1947.  So it is kind of funny to see that oval, yet on handles on the crock (Red Wing began placing handles on their crocks in 1915.   The crocks from 4 gallon to 30 gallon without handles are usually older than those with handles.  With all this being said, you have a newer 30 gallon than one would have thought when first seeing it.  If it is free of all chips, cracks, hairlines the value on these is between $300 &$350.  So you are in the ball park with what you paid for it.  Nice piece.  Al Kohlman