Category Archives: Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

King of Tarts Cookie Jar Blue

Question:

I have a Red Wing “King of Tarts” Cookie Jar – picture attached.  It’s blue speckled with black crown, scepter and the word “tarts”.  It’s in mint condition — no chips, cracks or other defects of any kind.

I’m wondering what the value would be?  Also, what would be the best way to reach the type of person that would pay the estimated value?

Thank you,

Pat

Answer:

The King of Tarts cookie jar was produced in several of Red Wing’s “fleck” glazes in the mid 1950s.  Fleck blue, fleck pink and fleck yellow jars with black covers and trim were made.  A King of Tarts cookie jar in one of the fleck colors is not as valuable as the earlier multicolored King of Tarts jars, but they are still very popular with collectors.  A fleck blue jar in excellent condition (no damage or staining) would be worth $350-450.

Larry

Van Briggle: bowl and frog, shell and tulip vases

Question:

Hello!

I have a few pieces of Red Wing Pottery, and while reading your website, noticed that the Splittgerber’s also know about Van Briggle pottery!  It’s my lucky day!  My mother gave me three pieces of Van Briggle that were my grandmother’s and while I’ve been able to find information about them, I’m not certain what they are worth.  Of course, they are priceless to me, as they were my grandmother’s, but more information about them would be nice.  I’ve attached photos of them.  The last two, I think are pretty run of the mill.  But the first one (planter with frog) looks like it was signed by Anna Van Briggle.  I hope you can see the signature, as it is very faint.  In the last four photos, I’ve tried to capture her signature. It says, “Anna Van Briggle Colo Springs”. I’ve not seen examples of her signature. I’m wondering when they were made and their value. They are all in mint condition, without any chips or cracks. Thanks for all you do!

Linda

Answer:

I love van briggle questions!  the bowl and frog are from the 1955-68 timeframe, it was just a new marking they came up with, (anna van)  most were done in the gloss glazes.  value around 40.00.  the shell and tulip vase are from the 40”s-60′s eras, so they were probably all bought at the same time.  the shell is worth around 50.00, as is the tulip vase.  thanks, steve n rose

816 Hanging Planter, 1593 candleholders, and M-5007 compote

Question:

 

Hello,

Several years back, I attended an auction where a large amount of Red Wing pottery and stoneware was sold.  I was taken by the beauty of the Artware, and purchased about 15 pieces, attempting to span different lines, and still stay within some semblance of a budget.  I now have Bronze Line, Chromoline, 2300 anniversary, etc.; however, I am stumped to find any information on two of my items / set:

 

(1)           #816 basketweave hanging planter (which I love).  It measures about 9” tall, not counting the chain etc. and 5-3/4” in diameter, with the planter bowl about 4”deep.  The glaze is a bisque or matte brown on the basketweave areas and a glossy chartreuse on the remainder.  

 

(2)          A three piece set with #1593 candleholders and an M-5007 compote. The candleholders are 4-3/4” in diameter and 1-3/4” tall.  The compote is 7” in diameter and 4-1/2” tall. The pinkish beige glaze is unique, in that it is not a solid finish, more like a pigment that was mixed in and not completely dissolved (I’m sorry that is a terrible description, but the best I can come up with). Any help will be appreciated.

 

We still have family in Minnesota, and after watching your video, a visit to your museum is a must for the next trip north.  We currently live in north Florida, and we do not see Red Wing down here, so I enjoy showing it off. Perhaps if I join we can learn more through the newsletter, and maybe attend a summer function.

 

Thanks again,

Claudia

Answer:

the 816 hanging planter is from 1962, value around 45.00 or so.  the candleholders and compote, date to the mid to late fifties.  I am assuming these are in the fleck glazes, pink with specks in them.  Value for the set is around 50.00.
thanks, steve n rose

Lupine Gravey Boat

Question:

Hi, I have this gravey boat marked Red Wing. What can you tell me about it?

Answer:

The item in the photo is a Lupine gravy boat. Lupine was one of 10 patterns made in the Futura shape, and was produced in 1957 and 1958. The pattern did not sell well and is difficult to find today.  Despite its relative scarcity the Lupine pattern does not attract much interest from collectors.  Value for a Lupine gravy boat in excellent undamaged condition is around $25.

Larry

8 gallon Red Wing Stoneware water cooler

Question:

Dear Mr. Kohlman,

My husband and I discovered this 8 Gallon Red Wing Water Jug at a country auction we recently attended in a neighboring county of Virginia.  We were immediately attracted to the stoneware by its beauty.  We did some research at home and discovered your website and all the different stoneware containers.  We are now “hooked” on the Red Wing Stoneware and plan to keep our eyes open for more.

In the meantime, could you please tell us the history of this piece…what age date do you put on the piece, the value of the piece and the fair selling price if we were to sell it in the future.  As you can see from the attached pictures. the piece is in perfect condition in the body with original spigot and handles. There are no spider lines, chips or cracks in the body. It has the top which at some point had a piece knock out of the rim.  The Red Wing symbol is prominently displayed in the middle under the 8 Gallon Water Cooler with the Red Wing Company name and place of origin in the circle at the bottom.  The stoneware has a glaze presence.

Thank you for any information you can share with us!

Best Regards, Steve and Martha

Answer:

Steve & Martha, nice to hear that you two enjoy this stoneware site.  Your 8 gallon Red Wing Stoneware water cooler was produced between 1939 & 1947. This was the last production era for Red Wing stoneware.  The cooler by itself has a value between $350 & $400.  The lid with the chuck taken out (many folks used a ladle rather than use the spigot) to support a ladle will have a very low value.  Value on it will be in the area of $50.   Nice piece.  Al Kohlman

Mason Fruit Jars sizes and marking colors

Question:

I have a question on the mason fruit jars. I have a 1 gallon..1/2 gallon …and the 1 qt. jars in the blue writing and also the black writing. My question is, my blue 1qt. is what they call a squatty it is 6 1/8 high with out the cap on. My black 1 qt. is 6 3/4 high with out the cap on. Do they make a squatty 1 qt. in the black ink that is the same height as the blue squatty 6 1/8 height? Is there a average height for these jars 1 gallon…1/2 gallon …and the 1 qt.? My black print 1 qt. is 6 3/4 high with out the cap on. Do they make a 1 qt. in the blue print the same height as my black print(6 3/4″)?
Tom

Answer:

Tom, this question in regards to the 1/2 inch difference between the Red Wing Mason jars is a tough one.  These were molded pieces.  Therefore there must have been a short mold and a taller mold use during this production period.  Also molds became quite worn after many uses and were discarded.  Therefore new molds were made and of course the size may very well been off by a 1/2 inch or so.  With this being said, I would believe that you should be able to find both sizes in blue or black ink as both colors were used during the production of these pieces.  Al Kohlman

5, 4, and 3 rib cage jugs

Question:

I attached a picture of 3 ribcage jugs, The seller is asking a nice amount of money and I want to be sure I am paying a reasonable dollar. I would like to know the worth of each before making a deal with them. If you can as soon as you can, I really apprecaite it.

Answer:

The set of Red Wing Rib Caged beehive jugs is quite nice.  Though value has dropped on these.  $1500 to $2000 each.  Al Kohlman

Paint removal from a Red Wing Crock

Question:

 

Hello-

 

I have a large Redwing crock with the red wing and the number 10 on the outside of it.  Unfortunately, there is old paint cake on the inside.  Is there a safe way to remove the paint without harming the crock?  

Thank you for any advice.

 

Sincerely,

 

Joan

Answer:

Joan, go ahead and use paint stripper on this paint that is on the inside of your Red Wing 10 gallon crock.  The paint stripper will have no affect on the glaze or any part of this crock.  Al Kohlman

Red Wing Stoneware 1 pound Pantry Jar

Question:

I believe this small crock belonged to my Great Grandparents.  It is 4 inches tall and 3.5 inches in diameter.  I’m guessing it was for jam??  I would like information on it’s age and use.  Thank you……Cathy

Answer:

Cathy, what you have is the smallest (1 pound) Red Wing Stoneware Pantry Jar.  With the lid, this little jar is very collectible.  It was used on the kitchen counter to store either a spice, grain or other kitchen ingredient used for cooking or baking.  In perfect condition with  the lid, the value is between $400 to $500.  You may now go ahead and sell it or go completely crazy and collect the entire set.   Al Kohlman

Gypsy Trail apple shaped bowls

Question:

Good afternoon,

 

While sorting through boxes at my parent’s house, my Sister & I discovered a box which contained the following 3 items:

 

1) covered apple shaped bowl – color is orange

 

2) covered apple shaped bowl – color is turquoise

 

3) covered apple shaped bowl – color is cobalt blue

 

All 3 are stamped “Red Wing USA”. 

 

Neither my Sister nor I can remember seeing these items so they probably have been packed away for 50+ years.  Can you please tell me anything about them?  I have not been able to discover anything on line.  There are no markings on these items other than the stamp on the bottom.  The colors are very rich and all 3 appear to never have been used. The are about 3 1/2″ high by 5 1/2″ long and 4 1/2″ wide  What are they used for, baked apples?

 

Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. 

 

Thank you. 

 

Susan

Answer:

The apple-shaped bowls were part of Red Wing’s large and extensive Gypsy Trail line.  We believe they were introduced in 1940 as that is the first catalog we have in which they appear, but they may have been introduced a year earlier.  By 1942 these bowls are no longer present in the catalog.  

The bowls were among a sizeable group of fruit-shaped items produced by Red Wing during the World War II years.  Apple bowls were made in three sizes (12″ salad bowl, 9.5″ berry bowl, and 5″ individual salad/berry bowl).  Similar bowls in the shape of a pear and pineaple were also made.  In addition, covers could be purchased for the medium and small bowls to convert them into casseroles and marmites.  Upright marmalade jars with or without stands (underplates) were also available in all three fruit shapes. Cookie jars were made in the same three fruit shapes, as well as cookie jars in the shape of a bunch of bananas, a bunch of grapes and even a cabbage.  The fruit-shaped items began to fade from the scene in 1943 and by 1944 none remained in the Gypsy Trail catalog. 

All of the fruit-shaped items were available in six colors:  Orange, Blue, Yellow, Turquoise, Pastel Green and Pastel Pink.  Towards the end of production Cream Ivory was introduced, but by then the bowls had been discontinued. Your 5″ apple bowls are worth around $20 apiece if they are in excellent, damage-free condition.

Larry

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