Question:
I have a cookie jar that was given to me by my mother a number of years ago. They rec’d it as a wedding present in the early 30′s. At one point I remember finding a value of $150. on it in a Red Wing book. My daughter has gotten into Ebay and brought to my attention that they have a listing for the Cat Tail Cookie Jar/approx 8" high-Cookies written on front on an angle/top and bottom in brown w/center in lite brown. She said it was listed beginning at 9.99 and has a bid of 18.00 todate. I looked it up and told her that it is a great deal and/or someone has something that they do not know the value of. Is this Mom nuts or is the seller? Thank you in advance for giving my question your attention. Sandra

Answer:
Sandra some people start their bids low, others have no clue as to what some things are worth. I used to inform people about paying high prices for new Van Briggle, but I have since given up a long time ago——– Caveat Emptor!! Your principles are good, thank you for that, but trying to educate the masses of Ebay is a daunting task. steve n rose

Question:
I am looking for an approximate value of the Red Wing dinnerware set- "Lotus Concord"- that was my grandmother’s. The following items are in the set:

1 Large Serving Platter
4 Large Serving Bowls
1 Relish Tray
1 Small Serving Tray
1 Small divided Tray
2 Serving bowls with lids
1 Butter dish
1 Sugar Bowl
1 Creamer
1 Coffee pot
1 Milk pitcher
1 Gravy boat
1 Small salt & pepper shaker
18 coffee cups with saucers
16 luncheon plates
16 bread plates
13 dinner plates
8 dessert plates
12 soup bowls
13 vegetable bowls

All of the dishes are in good shape, some of the plates have that "cracked" look. And I accidentally broke one of the handles off of one of the serving bowls w/lid, while washing it. That was when my aunt asked me if I ever looked into how much the dishes were worth. I said if you can’t use them, what is the point of having them. She suggested that I not use them until I find out, she thought I would be surprised since they are Red Wing.

Thanks for your help!

Answer:
Kris, Lotus is a very collectible pattern, although supply seems to be higher than the demand for the more common pieces in the pattern. You have a lot of the common pieces (cups, saucers, plates, bowls) and the numbers don’t match up. Essentially you have a service for 12 with numerous extra serving pieces along with quite a few accessory pieces.

You did not mention the color of your accessory pieces. They were made in chartreuse, gray or metallic brown (commonly called bronze or gunmetal). The values aren’t much different but a potential buyer well likely have a preference for one color over the others.

You describe the dishes as being in "good shape". Does that mean nearly perfect condition with no chips, nicks, cracks, hairlines or stains? Or does that mean good but used condition with a few of the usual chips and nicks that tend to occur with use? Collectors are looking for pieces in mint condition; even slight damage on a common pattern like Lotus will reduce the value significantly. The "cracked look" is called crazing, and most collectors will also reduce the value for crazed pieces.

Assuming near mint condition, I’d estimate the value of your set at $400 to $600. This may be a bit high because of the large number of common pieces included with your set. Buyers may not be willing to pay top dollar for so many extra common pieces. Again, damage will reduce this value.

Larry

Question:
I have a creamer& sugar(w/lid) set in the Capistrano pattern, EXCEPT this set is in a rust or a clay? color – the lid is the same as the green set. Could you please tell me something about it? So far, it must be "one of a kind"!!?? Also, I have two coffee cups in white/cream that I’ve not seen elsewhere – the Capistrano pattern. Thanks for any info you can supply!! Penny

Answer:
Penny, Without a photo it’s impossible to accurately assess pieces in non- production colors. Capistrano was one of six patterns made in Red Wing’s Anniversary shape. Production colors for Anniversary accessory pieces were Sage green, gray, white, black, Dawn pink, Shell pink, and turquoise. None of these could be mistaken for rust. Your rust colored pieces might be rare and unusual Red Wing test pieces. More likely they are post- production "hobby shop" pieces made from old Red Wing molds. Or maybe they are unglazed bisque pieces. Or they might be items from some other manufacturer that were "married" with your set because they fit well. It isn’t possible make a determination without a photo.

White cups in the Annversary shape were a standard production item, usually associated with the Tweed Tex pattern. Thanks Larry

Question:
I bought a box of misc old kitchen items from an auction and in this box was a small blue, possibly turquiose colored piece. It is two handled and about the size of a toothpick holder. The top is slightly wider than the bottom. It stands about 1 1/2 inches high and approx 2 1/2 inches wide. The marking on the bottom simply says Red Wing. It has a simple design across the front bottom. I do not have a picture but I attached a word doc drawing to give you an idea. Would you know what it is and i’s value if any? Thank you. Debbie

Answer:
Debbie, Your little bowl appears to be the sugar bowl from the Gypsy Trail Plain snack creamer and sugar set. This piece was made in both blue and turquoise, as well as several other colors. It’s a cute but rather common item. This set was made by Red Wing in the late 1930s and into the early 1940s. In excellent condition the sugar by itself would be worth about $10, perhaps $15 if the color is blue rather than turquoise. Thanks Larry

Question:
Hello, I have a special commemorative that I won at the 2000 convention. The Hamms beer pitcher with the song verse, I am considering puting it up for sale. I am wondering if there is outlet for such an item somewhere in Red Wing, or if my best bet would be Ebay? I am appreciative of any assistance you might be able to offer. Sincerely, Janice Palmer, Katy, Texas

Answer:
Janice, The RWCS convention auction would be my recommended sales venue for most RWCS special commemoratives. But your 2000 Hamm’s special commemorative pitcher may be of interest to both Red Wing and Hamms collectors, so you may have better success making it available to both groups. That would mean selling it on eBay. An ad in the RWCS Newsletter and the Hamm’s collectors group newsletter would be another alternative, especially if you are concerned about achieving your established price.

By the way, use of the Hamm’s verse on the special commemorative was authorized by the Miller Brewing company, owner of the Hamm’s brand at the time. So it can be considered an authenticate piece of Hamm’s memorabilia. Larry

Question:
I have an old cake plate marked ‘Red Wing USA’ on the bottom. It has a base about 3 1/2" tall that flares at the bottom and is fluted. The underside of the platter is fluted as is the outside 1 1/2" of the top. The color is yellow and kind of speckled. Can you give any information on this? Thank you, Jeff

Answer:
It’s listed as a cake salver or cake plate in various Art Pottery catalogs of the late 1950s. I believe it was introduced in 1955 and it is listed in catalogs through 1958. I do not find it in catalogs from 1959 or later. According to these catalogs the available colors were Colonial Buff, Luster Black, Matte White, Fleck Zephyr Pink, Fleck Nile Blue, Fleck Green, Fleck Yellow, Cinnamon, and Meadow Green. The cake plate was also decorated in the Tampico dinnerware pattern, although it is not listed on any Tampico brochure or price list to my knowledge.

The correspondent’s cake plate is Fleck Yellow. I’m not sure about the value of this piece; I’d guess around $25 to $30 but that is just a guess. Steve and Rosa may have a better idea. Thanks, Larry

Question: {mosimage}
Hi, I did receive a set of Red Wing China from my Grandparents and could not find the name of the pattern, could you help me on this? Thanks, Ann

Answer:
Ann, The name of your pattern is Blossom Time. Larry

Question:
I have inherited a complete service for 12 of the Red Wing Golden Viking pattern (Futura Line). I believe this was produced in 1955. Can you tell me how I can determine pricing so I can sell these dishes? Thanks Nancy

Answer:
Nancy, The best price guide currently available is "Red Wing Dinnerware Price and Identification Guide" by Ray Reiss. It’s a 40 page softcover book that retails for $12.95. It is available at shops that sell books about antiques and collectibles, or can be ordered directly from the author via his website: http://www.rayreiss.com/property.html. Be sure to obtain the most recent price guide, which was released in 2003.

Keep in mind a price guide is just that — a guide, not a list of absolute values. Antique dealers will offer you prices well below the "list price" because they need to resell the items and realize some profit to stay in business. Finding a collector to buy an entire set can be difficult, especially if you hope to sell for top dollar. A significant discount is usually necessary. Selling individual pieces yourself may fetch top dollar for the most desirable items (accessory pieces such as pitchers, teapots, S&P shakers, etc) but could leave you holding the more common serving pieces (plates, bowls, cups) without a buyer. Selling pieces individually will also likely take more time and effort on your part. These are all factors. There is no right or wrong way, it’s a matter of what works best for you and your situation. Larry

Question:
I recently inheritted a set of my grandparents Red Wing BRITTANY ware. Though it’s extensive, some pieces– such as sugar bowl and some tea cups– are missing. Can you refer me to someone, or a company, from which I can purchase pieces? I’ve tried Replacements.com, but they don’t have anything. Thanks! Erik

Answer:
Erik, While I’m happy to identify Red Wing dinnerware and provide an estimate of value, I am not willing to attempt to connect buyers and sellers. My recommendation of specific seller would not be fair to others who might also have the item for sale, some of whom are likely members of the organization that sponsors this website. Brittany pieces are readily available in antique shops and eBay. In fact I’m quite certain I saw a Brittany sugar bowl listed on eBay within the past couple of days. You could also place a classified ad in the RWCS newsletter or a free ad on the Wing Tips website. Larry

Question: {mosimage}
I inherited many pieces of ? redwing pottery. I know the water pitcher is redwing because it is marked. The 21 mugs, creams & covered sugars, salt & pepper set, and onion soup bowls / individual casserole bowls are not marked. Do they look like real redwing and did redwing not mark all the items made? Thanks for any help you can give me, Ruth

Answer:
Ruth, The photo included with your question shows five items. The creamer shown in front to the left side is from Red Wing’s Bakeware pattern. This pattern is commonly called "Oomph" due to misinterpretation of a company brochure. The sugar bowl in the middle of the back row is from the same pattern but has the wrong cover — it should be brown rather than green. The other items in the photo (mug, S&P shakers, small casserole) are not Red Wing. You’ll notice the green color seems a bit more blue than on the Red Wing pieces. "Louisville" is the name I’ve seen used for these pieces, although I’m not sure if that is the name of the pattern or the pottery that made them.

Red Wing’s Bakeware and Village Green patterns, as well as "Louisville" and perhaps other patterns, feature a combination of dark brown and green colors. They are easily confused with each other, and it is very common to find these patterns mixed and combined in a single collection. Perhaps the original owners preferred certain designs from each of these patterns and combined them?

It’s true that Red Wing did not mark all of their items. Larger items tend to be marked more frequently than smaller ones but there is little consistency from pattern to pattern, or even within the same pattern. Thanks, Larry