Question:
Hi, I would like to know all the info you can give me on this peice of red wing pottery. It is a 10 gallon crock, with a number 10 on it in blue. Below the number 10 is written out "ice water". Below that is two birch leaves. Below that is a oval stamp. On the inside it reads Red Wing, Union Stoneware co., Red wing-Minn. All written in blue. Crock measure 18 inches tall by 15 inches in diameter. In great shape except for two hairline cracks in the bottom and one on the side, about 1 inch long. No cracks go through the piece. Took it a guy that auctions off antiques, he pecked the side and said it has a nice ring to it and said that means that no cracks go through the piece. Has 3/4 inch hole for wood spigot, which I have also. Also list on ebay now, if you want to look it up. Please email me back and tell me what you think the vales is. Thank you for your time and have a nice day. Brian

Answer: Brian, you have a Red Wing 10 gallon Ice Water with the 1st oval. The 1st oval is called the ski oval and the most collectible of all the ovals. The date on your piece would be anywhere from 1897 to 1908. Years back when Ice Waters were in high demand and being a 10 gallon such as this, in mint condition, you were looking at $3000. With the markets being down today, a mint 10 gallon Ice water with ski oval would be between $2000 & $2500. Now you mention hairlines. A hairline is a hairline and I would bet if you looked closely at the inside you would find that they do go through. Just because a crock rings, does not mean the hairlines do not go through. When a hairline is in the middle of a crock and doesn’t reach the rim, 9 out of 10 crocks will have a good ring to them. With high end collectors, these hairlines will absolutely affect the price. Lastly, this 10 gallon Ice Water would not have taken a wood spigot. The wood spigot were for the earlier pieces which have a reinforced bung hole that could have been round or hexagon in shape. It would have had a metal spigot. It is a very sharp looking Ice Water with excellent and complete stencilling, well balanced markings and fairly dark decorations. I think this Ice Water with the small amount of damage could bring $2000 or close to it. Good luck! Al Kohlman