Question:
My husband inherited what we think to be a Red Wing cookie jar. We’ve seen a similar one on ebay, and it states it was a premium for the Pillsbury Co. Because we were born in MN, it has special meaning for us. It is in the shape of the Round Up and Bob White style, having 2 ‘handles’. It is a mauve/pink color. On it is the embossed phrase, "Happy the children wherever they are who live in a house with a full cookie jar." It has a shiny glaze with small brownish flecks in it. No apparent markings are on the bottom, but there are 3 small round marks, evenly spaced on the bottom (perhaps where it was set during the process?) The embossed vines are not colored, the piece is all the same mauve/pinkish color. Unfortunately, one of our kids broke the lid when he was stationed in Korea for a year. I hot-glued it, and over the course of several more moves, it’s falling apart. I have searched for a replacement lid to no avail. Any hints on where to find one, as well as confirmation that this is a Red Wing piece would be great. We’re not concerned about value, since it was his grandmother’s, it’s priceless. I’d love to surprise him with a new lid, since he has such wonderful memories of his grandmother using this special jar! I apologize for not attaching a picture, as our camera has broken (not the kids this time :) Thanks for any help, Kris Trombley (a military wife)

Answer: The cookie jar you describe was indeed made by Red Wing in the 1960s. They are not marked with the company name. It’s my understanding this jar was originally made for the Pillsbury Company as a premium, but it is also listed as a sales item in Red Wing catalogs. I have copies of three catalogs that include this cookie jar. Each catalog lists the name of this cookie jar as "Happy", and shows a tan fleck jar with handpainted vines and flowers around the top and bottom of the jar. I’ve also seen this jar in plain tan fleck without the handpainting. But the catalogs do not mention any other colors as being available.

A Happy cookie jar in the pink fleck glaze that you describe would be unusual but not totally unexpected. This cookie jar is one of several novelty and gift items made by Red Wing during this era, and art pottery glazes were used on some of them. It would not be surprising to learn the Happy cookie jar was made briefly in such colors.

The fate of your cookie jar cover is a common one. Kids seem to have a problem holding onto those covers. It is much easier to find a jar without a cover than to find a spare cover. And if indeed your jar has a pink fleck glaze rather than the standard tan fleck, finding a replacement cover may be next to impossible. A classified ad in the Red Wing Collectors Society Newsletter would reach your target audience and is probably your best chance.

As you stated, this jar is the same shape as the Bob White and Round Up cookie jars. If I’ve misinterpreted your description and your jar is actually the standard tan fleck color, then your best bet might be to buy a Bob White cookie jar with a good cover and move it to your Happy jar. All tan fleck jars in this shape use the same cover so that would be an authentic replacement. And Bob White jars are relatively common. Good luck with your search!

Larry