Question:

Hello,

I have a collection of Red Wing Bob White dishes that I wish to sell.  What would be a fair asking price for this set?

1 set salt and pepper shaker-hour glass shape

1 set salt and pepper shaker-birds

1 hors d’oeuvres

1 gravy boat with lid

2 creamers (one has a small chip)

2 sugar bowls with lids

1 medium casserole with lid

1 large casserole no lid

2 rim soup bowls

12 cereal/salad bowls

3 sauce bowls

1 large salad bowl

4 bread and butter plates

18 salad plates (not sure if that is what they are called)

14 dinner plates

1 teapot with lid (chip on inside rim)

4 12-inch water pitchers

15 coffee cups

16 coffee saucers

1 trivet

1 divided vegetable bowl

4 small dishes or saucers that I cannot identify

1 cookie jar (small chip on inside rim)

Answer: Please let me know if you have further questions. I would like to invite you to become a member of the RWCS – it’s just $35 per year. I would be happy to mail you a membership form or you can visit the membership advantage page on our website.

Question:

Hello,
I have a Redwing plate that I have owned for several years. I have recently been interested in knowing more about it and have not been able to find the pattern on the sites I have looked at. The plate is 11″ in diameter and has a texture surface with the pattern. The back is marked Redwing and has the numbers 445 475 and what looks like a 480-2. The numbers are under the glaze. The in bright pink in top of the glaze it says keep me. There are no chips or cracks to the plate.
Thank you for your help in advance. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Cristan

Answer:

This is a very interesting plate.  It is not a standard Red Wing dinnerware piece. It’s a test or sample piece.

The plate with its textured surface is from the Anniversary dinnerware line, which was introduced in 1953.  The artwork is from the Nassau pattern.  Nassau was also introduced in 1953 but was produced on the Concord shape, not Anniversary.  Nassau did not sell well and was made for only one year.  Your plate gives reason to believe Red Wing considered using the Anniversary shape for Nassau rather than the Concord shape. The numbers on the bottom are codes for the colors used for the test plate.  “KEEP ME” was added by somebody who owned the plate at one time.  That person recognized that this is an unusual plate.  Red Wing did not mark items over the glaze in that manner.

Test and sample plates have high collector appeal and thus have high values.  Test pieces that have a recognizable Red Wing pattern generally fetch higher prices than those that are decorated with unknown designs.  This is a one-of-a-kind plate and thus it is difficult to assign a value.  Assuming it is in undamaged condition, I estimate it would sell for $500 to $800 at an auction attended by knowledgeable Red Wing collectors.

Larry

Question:

Hello,

I am hoping that you will pass this on to the dinnerware experts.  I have this butter warmer in yellow.  I don’t see it anywhere in my Red Wing book.  On the internet, I see a “smart set” and in the Bob White pattern.  Nothing in the simple yellow.  I am wondering if it is from the same time frame as the yellow chicken teapot as well.  Any information is appreciated.

Thanks for your time and effort,

Regards,

Becky

Answer:

The yellow butter warmer was made by an amateur pottery using an old Red Wing mold.  It was not made by Red Wing Potteries.  The mold is in the Casual shape, which is the dinnerware line that included the Bob White and Smart Set patterns.  But this piece was made later, probably in the 1970s or 1980s.

The company assets were sold to the public when Red Wing Potteries closed in 1967.  The molds used to form a wide variety of dinnerware and art pottery pieces were included in those assets, and many of those molds were purchased by art schools and amateur potters.  No effort was made to remove the Red Wing name from those molds because the company was no longer in business, thus there was no perceived need to protect the company name.

There are many “Red Wing” pieces out there that were made by amateur potters.  Many of them have a date and the potter’s name or initials scratched into the bottom.  As best I can tell this butter warmer does not have those features.  But the color is a shade of yellow not found on authentic Red Wing pieces.  And the numerous flakes in the glaze all over the piece are a strong indication that this was the work of an amateur potter.

Larry

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Question:

I am sending you photos of the 4 pieces of Red Wing for you to forward to the dinnerware experts for identification and value estimation.  I only know these are the Brittany pattern.

The large serving platter measures 12 inches.  The “shallow” serving dish measures approx 11-3/4 to 12 inches.  The smaller serving dish measure approx 9 inches.  The creamer is 4 inches tall.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.  Happy New Year!

Barb

Answer:

Here are the official names and approximate values of the Brittany items in the photos.  All values assume excellent condition with no damage.  Any damage (chips, flakes, cracks, hairlines, stains, etc.) will reduce the value significantly, usually by 25 to 75% depending on the extent and visibility.

12” Chop Plate  $25

Creamer  $15

Buffet Bowl  $25

Nappy (vegetable bowl) $20

Larry R

Question:

I would like to Ask the Expert the value of the Pink Morning Glory dishes
that I have.    My list includes:

Water pitcher
10 plates 10 1/2 in
Beverage Server
11plates7 1/2 in
Graves Boat with tray
1 plate 6 1/2 in
Tea pot with Lid
13 saucers
Chop Plate
8cups
Casserole with lid
creamer
Divided Relish dish
sugar with lid
2 Nappies
salt and pepper
1 Cereal bowl
10 sauce dishes
2 tier Serving Plate
extra lid for tea pot

all in good condition

thank you

Answer:

Estimated values for the Morning Glory Pink items listed. All values assume excellent, undamaged condition.

Water pitcher $25-30

Beverage server with cover $25-30

Teapot with cover $30-35

Dinner plate 10.5″ $10-15

Salad plate 7.5″ $5-10

Bread & butter plate 6.5″ $5-10

Gravy boat $15-20

Chop plate $20-25

Cup $5-10

Saucer $5-10

Casserole with cover $25-30

Creamer $10-15

Sugar with cover $10-15

Relish dish $20-25

Salt & Pepper $15-20

Nappy $20-25

2 tiered serving tray $20-30

Cereal bowl $5-10

Sauce dish $5-10

Extra teapot cover $10-15 ??

Question:

My name is Kim and I’m trying to find information on the cups in the photos below.  I purchased them at a thrift shop and I’m hoping you can tell me something about them.

I am thrilled you offer an “ask the expert” service.  I spent a couple hours looking online and on your site but have been unable to find this pattern of a yellow flower on one side a yellow heart on the other.

I hope you are able to tell me if they actually are Red Wing and a few other details such as time period and an idea of possible value.

Thank you very much,

Kim

Answer:

These cups are from the Turtle Dove pattern, one of six patterns in Red Wing’s DuoTone line.  DuoTone is also known by collectors as Cylinder.  The Turtle Dove pattern was introduced in 1962 and was made for only a couple of years because it did not sell well.

The value for a Turtle Dove cup in excellent condition would be around $5.  Adding a saucer would enhance the value to the $12-15 range.

Larry

Question:

I found these two items while cleaning out my aunt’s home. I believe they are both Red Wing and wonder about their worth.

Answer:

The photos show a green Fondoso casserole and green Gypsy Trail Plain coffee server.   The casserole should be bottom marked “Red Wing Potteries Inc” and “Design Pat. Pending”.  The coffee server should have the numbers 565 on the bottom.

The casserole is worth $30 to $40.  The coffee server is a very common piece but scarce in the green color.  It’s worth $25 to $35.  All values assume excellent, undamaged condition.

Larry

Question:

Dear Experts,

I have inherited my mothers peach wedding dishes from the late 1940′s and have been told they were made by the Red Wing Pottery company.

I am contacting you for information about the set and current values of the pieces. I have a total of 101 pieces (including lids) and all are in excellent condition with no cracks or chips and only a few minor scuffs on a few of the dinner plates.

I have:

-11 large dinner plates 10 3/4″

-10 medium plates 8″

-8 small plates 6 1/4″

-8 covered soup bowls 5 3/4″  (16 total pieces)

-10 cereal bowls 5 3/4″

-8 comma shaped bowls 5″ x 6 1/4″

-12 cups 2 3/4″ high 3 1/4″ diameter

-12 saucers 6 1/4 ”

-I small serving bowl 7″

-1 pitcher 8″ total height with handle

-1 sugar bowl with lid

-I creamer

-8 spoon rests

-1 salt and pepper set

Most of the pieces appear to be a little tilted with one side higher than the other-is this normal? I would appreciate any information you can give me.

Thank you,

Chuck

Answer:

Your peach-colored dishes were indeed made by Red Wing Potteries.  Town and Country dinnerware was created by celebrated designer Eva Zeisel, and it the only design she produced for Red Wing. This pattern is known for its tilted plates and bowls, for rounded shapes that easily fit in the hand, and for its Shmoo salt & pepper shakers. Town and Country was introduced in 1947 and was initially available in seven colors that could be mixed and matched by the consumer: White, Dusk Blue, Sand, Metallic Brown, Chartreuse, Peach and Rust. By 1949 White, Peach and Sand had been discontinued and replaced by Forest Green and Gray.  The pattern was discontinued in 1956.   It’s unusual to find such a large collection of Town & Country all in a single color.  Apparently most homemakers preferred to mix and match colors.

Town and Country pieces were not marked with the company name and for years were not recognized by most people as Red Wing pottery. But interest in Eva Zeisel and her work escalated rapidly in the 1990s, as did interest in and values for Town and Country dinnerware.   Values peaked in the 2000s.  As with many antiques and collectibles, values dropped during the recession and haven’t yet fully recovered.

The values below are estimated values for a single piece (or base with cover) in excellent condition.  Any damage or discoloration will reduce the value.  White pieces are very scarce and values are significantly higher for them.  Metallic Brown also seems to command a higher price than other colors.

Dinner plate 10 3/4″:  $15-25

Salad plate 8″:  $10-15

Bread & Butter plate 6 1/4″: $10-15

Marmite (covered soup bowl) 5 3/4″: $20-25

Salad or Cereal bowl 5 3/4″:  $20-25

Sauce or Relish dish (comma shaped bowl) 5″ x 6 1/4″:  $10-15

Tea cup 2 3/4″ high 3 1/4″ diameter:  $10-15

Saucer 6 1/4″:  $10-15

Soup bowl (small serving bowl) 7″:  $25-30

Pitcher 3 pint (8″ total height with handle):  $60-75

Sugar bowl with lid:  $20-25

Creamer: $20-25

Coaster (spoon rest):  $20-25

Salt and pepper set:  $60-75

Larry

Question:

Hi there-

I have 5 glazed egg cups that are marked Red Wing USA, June Johnson. 4 are dated ’57, the try is dated ’58.
Can you tell me about these and their value please?

Thank you,
Jeanie

Answer:

These egg cups are not part of any Red Wing dinnerware line and thus I don’t know a lot about them.  To my knowledge they were not shown in any Red Wing brochure or sales literature.  One theory says they were made for a custom order from the Old Mill restaurant.  Red Wing is known to have made an ashtray for the Old Mill, which was located in Austin, MN.

While I don’t know a lot about egg cups, I can state with confidence that these egg cups were not made by Red Wing Potteries despite the RED WING USA markings.  When Red Wing Potteries closed in 1967, the company’s molds were sold to the public with no attempt to obliterate the RED WING markings in the molds. Many of these molds went to art schools and hobby shop potters.  Non-Red Wing items formed by genuine Red Wing molds turn up fairly often but usually they are quite easy to tell from the authentic Red Wing product.  Colors and decoration are not the same. Weight is another consideration; amateur pieces are usually heavier or lighter than the original item due to the clay used to make the piece.  Amateur potters and art school students usually mark the piece with their name or initials and the year of production scratched into the wet clay.

These egg cups display several of these non-Red Wing characteristics.  The inside and bottom of the authentic Red Wing egg cups that I’ve seen are glazed the same color as the exterior; these egg cups have white interiors and bottoms.  The pink color resembles an authentic Red Wing glaze but the brown glaze does not.  The brown glaze slops over the rim and slightly into the interior.  Red Wing artists weren’t perfect but they would not produce such an imprecisely colored rim.  Finally, the name and number scratched into the clay does not fit the profile of an authentic Red Wing lunch hour piece.  The makers of lunch hour pieces used the factory’s colored glazes to mark their items.  Names and numbers scratched into the clay are essentially a dead giveaway that the item was made in an art class or by a hobby shop potter with an old Red Wing mold.

As for value, I’m sorry to say that hobby shop pieces like these have minimal value. They don’t hold much interest for collectors, though someone may be willing to pay a few dollars to add such an oddity to add to their collection.

Larry R