Category Archives: Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

1 gallon Red Wing crock with the 4 1/2″ wing and lid with wing stamp

Question

Hi I am Ed and I thought you could help identify, date and possibly give me some idea what the crock is worth. My wife and I purchased our home. Along with the house came a lot of junk and this curious crock with lid. The crock is plain with the only markings of a 4 1/2 inch red wing center mass of the crock. Measuring approximately 7 3/4 inches high and 7 3/4 inch wide diameter. The crock is near perfect other then a 1/2 inch by 1/4 inch not very deep chip on the bottom edge. The lid is perfect with no damage other then old looking. In the center of the lid is a button handle with a number 1. Radiating out from the center is a multi-pedal design circling to a non glazed circle then to the glazed edge. The lid also has a 2 inch red wing and a little yellowing color compared to the crock itself. Was this lid made for this crock originally? Thank you for any information.

Answer

Ed, you have a couple of nice pieces here.  The 1 gallon Red Wing crock with the 4  1/2″ wing with small chip on the bottom is valued right around $400.  The lid is much rarer than the crock because of the small red wing on it.  The red wing on the lid is not very well stamped so it will hurt the value somewhat.  $600 to $650.  Also, that lid was made to fit any Red Wing 1 gallon crock and not necessary yours.  Hope this was helpful.  Al Kohlman

3 gallon Elephant Ear beehive jug

Question

Good Afternoon:  I’m just beginning research on this piece. We found it yesterday in our parents home as we work through it for closing the estate.  Is it work anymore research – we can’t find much about it?  I can get you more details I you’d need them.

Carma

Answer

Carma, you have a 3 gallon Elephant Ear beehive jug which was produced by the Minnesota Stoneware Company between 1906 & 1909.  All cleaned up and if in absolutely perfect condition & I mean perfect, no chips, cracks, hairlines etc, the value is between $3000 & $3500.  Any damage & the value will drop to half what I posted.  Nice hard to find piece.  Al Kohlman

Bisque Flower Pot saucer

Question

Could you give me some idea what this saucer is worth?  Sure would appreciate it. Mary

Answer

probably around 20.00 or so, a lot of flower pots were bisque, unglazed.  thanks steve n rose

Streamlined Covered Ice Box Jug

Question

I found this piece pictured below.  I looked on several sites online and did not see anything like it.  I was wondering if anyone in your organization would have any knowledge of what it is.  The lid fits loosely on the bottom with no openings.  On the bottom side it says Red Wing Pottery Patent pending.  Any information you have would be helpful.

Thanks for your time,
Doug

Answer

The item in the photo is an orange ”Streamlined” Covered Ice Box Jug. In 1940 Red Wing introduced several items under the ”Streamlined” banner as part of the company’s rapidly expanding Gypsy Trail Hostess Ware line. Each piece in the Streamlined group had a design on each side that consisted of three raised ovals of decreasing size on top of each other. The items were a 64 oz water jug, covered ice box jug, 8″ and 9″ covered casseroles, and 2 cup and 5 cup covered teapots. The water jug had an over-the-top handle and was the only Streamlined item that did not have a cover. By June 1942 the water jug was the only remaining Streamlined item in the catalog and by 1944 it too had been discontinued. In later years the pitcher was listed as “Modern” rather than Streamlined. Streamlined items were available several colors including yellow, blue, turquoise, orange, pink, green and cream ivory.

All of the Streamlined items I’ve seen are bottom marked with same “Design Pat. Pending” wording along with the copyright symbol.  Most likely a patent was eventually issued but I am not certain of that, nor do I know the assigned patent number. Value for a orange Streamlined Covered Ice Box Jug in excellent condition would be in the $75-100 range.  It’s a difficult piece to find, especially complete with the cover.

Larry

Red Wing 2 gallon single P

Question

I think this is a Redwing single P 2 gallon salt crock. What would the value be on it? Dixie

Answer

Dixie, you do indeed have a Red Wing 2 gallon single P.  The decoration is a bit week.  With this being said, value $80 to $90 if unsigned.  Al Kohlman

Bob White Teapot and stand cleaning question

Question

Hello:

I recently purchased a Bob White teapot at an auction. It is in perfect condition and it came with the copper warming stand. I am wondering if the copper warming stand is indeed made out of copper? I tried to clean the copper stand using vinegar and salt, as I use on other copper items I have, and it did nothing. The copper warming stand is blotchy looking – tarnished. Is there a way to clean this? I am also missing the copper cup which sits in the holder.  The tea pot says “Red Wing, USA on the bottom and I don’t see any markings on the warmer. I paid $55.00 for the set at the auction, which I thought was a fair price as I really wanted the tea pot and the warmer was a bonus.  Thank you very much,  Kathleen Fiske

Answer

Red Wing Potteries made the Bob White teapot but they did not make the copper-colored stands. The stands and other metallic accessories were made for Red Wing by a metal works company.  These stands were not made of solid copper.  A magnet will stick to the stand, proving the primary metal is steel or iron covered by a thin copper-colored coating.

I am not aware of a cleaning method that would remove the blotchy appearance because the blotches represent damage to the coating. I would be wary of trying an abrasive cleaner because it will remove more of the thin copper coating.  A fresh layer of the copper-colored coating would be required, and the expense would likely be cost-prohibitive.  The $55 you paid for the teapot and stand is a very fair price if the teapot is in undamaged condition.

Larry

4 gallon Minnesota Stoneware Company beehive jug

Question:

Can you tell me how old this jug is? No chips, cracks or any damage. What value if any.

Thank you, Annie

Answer:

Annie your 4 gallon Minnesota Stoneware Company beehive jug was produced between 1906 & 1909.  Value would be in the area of $650 to $750.  Al Kohlman

5 gallon elephant ear beehive with the Minnesota oval

Question:

Hi all! I am looking to sell this crock and have been told it is rare. However, many are appalled by my asking price. Can you help me get in the right range? There are a couple of small chips, but not a crack in it!

Thanks! Ashley

Answer:

Ashley, your 5 gallon elephant ear beehive with the Minnesota oval is a tough find.  If it were in perfect condition you would be looking at a $5000 or so.  However to a collector the chip in the front of your jug is huge.  It takes the value of your piece to half or little less.  $1800 to $2500.  Collectors want perfect pieces and shy away from damage such as this.  Al Kohlman

Albuquerque Advertising Crock, Salt Glaze

Question:

I am attaching a photo of a Red Wing Crock I found.  I wanted to know if you could give me any more information about it. (Age, value, what is it used for?)

It is marked:
4
A.W. Cleland, Jr.
Grocer
Albuquerque

Bottom marked with Red Wing Stoneware Co.

Thank you,

Patricia

Answer:

Patricia, you have a rare one here.  It is a Red Wing salt glazed advertising piece that was produced between 1877 & 1895.  If it were in perfect condition, the value would be around $5,000 or so.  With hairline crack and chips, I think $2,500 to $3,000 is a safe bet!  Nice find.  Al Kohlman

8 gallon salt glaze leaf crock, Minnesota Stoneware, back stamped

Question:

Hello,
I have a 8 gallon salt glazed crock from my grandmother.  It has a minnesota split oval stamp and a small hairline crack on the back.  I’d like to learn about when it was made and value.  Pictures attached.

Thank you,  Sue

Answer:

Sue, your Minnesota Stoneware Company 8 gal leaf crock was produced between 1883 & 1895.  It is a good piece, but the hairline crack hurts.  $800 to $1000.  Al Kohlman

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