Question:

Good Afternoon,

I have been reading the stoneware ask the experts section since I found it a few months ago.  It has been so helpful!  I have been very fortunate in my picking/estate sale/auction purchasing lately so I would like to ask Al Kohlman about a few items of my collection.  Unfortunately, I have one piece that isn’t pictured and I cannot find any information about it.  I will have it in my possession next weekend.  It is a butter crock about the same size as the cottage cheese labeled one in the photos but I believe it is a Red Wing and it has the same font and color as the number 4 from Granger, WA.  It had butter on it and was labeled (a full name but I only remember the last) Abrams from a city in Michigan.

As far as the information I would like I was hoping to confirm they are all Red Wing, when they were made, and if at all possible an approximate value.  I will not be selling these as they are loved items in my collection.

The condition of each is as follows:

Land o Lakes Butter:  no chips, crackers or glaze issues.

Cottage Cheese crock:  slight hairline that looks as if it came from the production run, right at center above the label.

#2 Butter churn:  No lid, no dasher.  There is a minor chip just inside the rim to the right of the label if looking at it.  Otherwise there are no condition issues.

#5 Birch leaf crock:  no cracks but a minor chip just inside the rim to the right of the label if looking at it.

1 gallon Red Wing Jug:  No noticeable condition issues.  The cloth was around the cork when I purchased it so I kept it that way.

15 Red Wing Butterfly:  It is stamped, there are no harlines or cracks of any kind.  There is a slight glaze issue and as pictured to curious depressions that look like they could either be chips or depressions made when it was made.

4 WL Barker crock:  I found an article from a convention where one was auctioned off many years ago.  It was stated that it was a very rare Red Wing item that, at the time in 2003 (I think) sold for $2800.

I can provide additional pictures if you would like.  I chose these to limit the size of the email I am sending.

Also, is there any literature you recommend regarding information on Red Wing crockery?  I soak up all I can at every antique show and from what I can find on the internet.

Thank you so much for your help and information!

Brian

Answer:

Brian, both the butter & cottage cheese crocks are not Red Wing.  No idea of their value.

#2 Butter churn:  No lid, no dasher.  There is a minor chip just inside the rim to the right of the label if looking at it.  Otherwise there are no condition issues.  $150 to $175
#5 Birch leaf crock:  no cracks but a minor chip just inside the rim to the right of the label if looking at it. $70 to $80
1 gallon Red Wing Jug:  No noticeable condition issues.  The cloth was around the cork when I purchased it so I kept it that way. $175
15 Red Wing Butterfly:  It is stamped, there are no harlines or cracks of any kind.  There is a slight glaze issue and as pictured to curious depressions that look like they could either be chips or depressions made when it was made.  Those depressions are chips.  $2000 to $2300
4 WL Barker crock:  I found an article from a convention where one was auctioned off many years ago.  It was stated that it was a very rare Red Wing item that, at the time in 2003 (I think) sold for $2800.   In 2003 the prices of Red Wing pieces were at their prime.  Since the melt down of the economy in 2008 Red Wing values have dropped.  However, you still have a nice piece here.  Value today, $1500 to $2000.  Hope this was helpful.  Al Kohlman