Question:
We picked up these pieces (enclosed photo) at a garage sale and would like to know more about them. There are 3 dinner plates, 3 salad plates, 3 coffee cups, 1 saucer, and sugar and creamer all in good shape. There are also 1 chipped dinner plate, 2 chipped salad plates 2 chipped saucers, 1 chipped cup. The set has the following markings: plates, hand painted oven proof USA 138 in blue or black, salad plates are marked 238, 338. Some also have the red or blue RED WING logo. Saucers 439, no markings on cups and sugar and creamer We would like to know the year of manufacture and what pattern these are and how collectible they are and what kind of value. Thank you for taking the time to look. Carl Mulder

Answer: The name of your pattern is Frontenac. It was introduced in 1958 and made for only about three years. Frontenac can be fairly difficult to find, but it isn’t considered to be among the more collectible of Red Wing dinnerware patterns. The ink stamp markings on the back don’t affect the value of the piece; the numbers are simply stock numbers. I’d estimate the following values for your pieces, assuming excellent condition:

Dinner plate: $10-15
Salad plate: $5-10
Cup: $5
Saucer: $5
Sugar and Creamer: $25-30 for the pair

The chipped pieces have very little value. Except for hard to find items, collectors will generally pass on buying damaged pieces and will wait for a better one to come along.

Larry