Question:
We have one of the Red Wing chief steins – I think its called Ol Sleepy Eye – has the chief on one side and the blue scene on the other side. The bottom has NO 32. Can you tell me its history and its current value? Brenda

Answer: Brenda, your Old Sleepy Eye stein is a tough call and I’ll tell you why. First of all, the Red Wing Sleepy Eye steins (very few of them) had a hand written personalized message (which I do not see on yours). Also, the web design above and below Indian head is filled in with cobalt which I have not yet seen on the Red Wing steins, but is common in the Weir Pottery Company steins. Also, the words "Chief Redwing" is missing by his head. On the Weir steins, there is no wording such as Chief Redwing written by the Indian head. If you look at the Weir Pottery Company steins, you will see that they are identical except for the words "Chief Redwing" and other hand written personalized messages. The only thing that puzzles me is the color of the chief. In all the Weir Pottery steins that I have seen, the Indian head is washed in cobalt blue (not to say he wasn’t ever finished off in different colors), ( I am sure a Sleepy Eye Collector could better tell if us if other colors were ever used on the Weir steins). So this all leads to this. I think (but could be wrong) your Stein is from the Weir Pottery Company. This would have a value in the area of $700 to $1000 in perfect condition. If it is Red Wing and in perfect condition the value could hit $5000 or even higher. I am sorry that I can provide a positive answer for you as there are just to many variables and with so few of these around to compare it to makes it a tough call. As is stated above, a strong Sleepy Eye collector would be our best expert on your stein. Al Kohlman