Question:

Dear Expert -

I believe this is a Fondoso tilt pitcher.  The color is pink/salmon/tan (?) and is about 7″ tall.  I see no chips, cracks or crazing and it is very clean inside and out.  The color is consistent.  (that is camera/sun glare on the bottom half)

Thank you for your help with identification and current value.

Margaret

Answer:

Four different Fondoso pitchers were made.  “Straight” pitchers (no tilt) were available in 18 oz, 32 oz and 70 oz sizes.  The “Tilt” pitcher was made in just one size, listed as either 70 oz or 72 oz in the original Red Wing brochures.  The tilt pitcher and the 70 oz straight pitcher had an ice stop at the spout; the two smaller straight pitchers had no ice stop.  Your photos show a straight pitcher with no ice stop and is described as 7 inches high, which is the height of the 32 oz pitcher.  Thus you have a 32 oz Fondoso straight pitcher in pink. 

The “pink” color found on Fondoso items can vary considerably, from a light pastel pink to a darker shade of pink to a distinct salmon color. We don’t know if Red Wing made a conscious decision to adjust the color over time or if it the variation was due to inconsistencies in batches of pink glaze.  All Fondoso and Gypsy Trail brochures use “pink” to describe the color. 

A 32 oz Fondoso straight pitcher in excellent, undamaged condition is worth $30 to $45. 

Larry

ps.  I’ve attached a photo that shows all four Fondoso pitchers. The photo is courtesy of Todd and Ivy.

Question:

I spoke to Stacy at the office about a week ago regarding a small collection of Red Wing (Colonnes pattern) that we are looking to sell.  The pictures aren’t the best, but hopefully you get the idea of the condition the pieces are in.

Shown are as follows:

4 – cups

1 – gravy boat

1 – creamer

1 – sugar bowl

1 – large serving platter

1 – serving bowl

1 – divided serving bowl

1 – relish dish

7 – bowls

2 – saucers

2 – salad plates

We would appreciate any (and all) feedback.  We live in central Wisconsin and are willing to travel to Red Wing if the price is worth driving for.  I can be reached at any time at, 715-209-5172.

Thanks in advance,

Jody

Answer:

Thank you for including the photos of your Colonnes items. While some chips are evident, the photos don’t provide enough detail to assess them for damage such as hairlines, flakes and small nicks.  Photos can help but a complete and honest description of any damage is even more helpful.  Condition is best viewed through the eyes of a potential buyer as some have a greater tolerance for damage than others.

The following values are for Colonnes pieces in mint condition.  Any damage will reduce the value significantly, by 25 to 75% or more depending on the extent of the damage and the location.   

Cup:  $10-12

Saucer:  $10-12
Gravy boat: $30-40
Creamer:  $25-30
Sugar bowl: $25-30
Platter:  $35-45
Nappy (serving bowl):  $25-30
Divided vegetable bowl:  $25-30
Relish dish:  $25-30 
Bowl (cereal or sauce):  $10-20
Salad plate:  $15-20

Larry

Question:

Matt 

I have a question about Fondoso. I’ve collected almost every Fondoso piece that Red Wing made. I know that at some point they changed the size of the batter pitcher, and I have an example of each. One stands 8 inches high and holds 48 ounces. The other is 7 inches tall and holds 36 ounces. Attached is a photo of the two (along a syrup jug). Terry Moe, a fellow collector (and a friend of yours) tells me there might be a batter pitcher in a third size. Do you know anything about that? If it exists, what size is it? Can you share a photo of it, comparing it to the more common size? Any light you can shed on this mystery would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Matt

Answer:

I am aware that the Fondoso batter pitcher was made in two sizes.  Like you I have one each of the 7″ and 8″ pitchers (photo attached).  Sorry but I know nothing more than you about the possibility of a third size.  A while back Terry mentioned a possible third size but did not go into any detail. I believe he came across a batter pitcher at a shop or show that he believed was neither of the two known sizes.  But I have no photos of the pitcher Terry saw or have any further details.  We’ve seen Gypsy Trail catalogs and brochures that include the Fondoso batter pitcher but they make no mention of even two sizes, much less three.  In my opinion the existence of a third size is speculation at this point, although if Terry is doing the speculating there’s a good chance it’s true. 

Larry