Question:

Dear Experts

    I recently bought an off-white bowl with a Red Wing mark on the bottom.  It’s about 4 1/2 inches across and 1 3/4 inches high, and has ridges on the outside.  I have a number of Red Wing pieces, and have seen a lot more, but I don’t remember this mark.  Could you tell me about it, please?

    Patricia

Answer:

This upright wing ink stamp mark can be found on two kinds of Red Wing dinnerware. It was first used to mark Hotel or Restaurant dinnerware, a line of heavy durable dishes made for the restaurant trade in the 1960s. This bowl is from the Empire pattern, one of two designs in the Hotel or Restaurant line. (The other pattern is named Regal.) This ink stamp was also used to mark a variety of dinnerware items that were finished after Red Wing Potteries closed in 1967.  Workers glazed the green ware that remained after the plant closed with whatever glazes were still on hand, primarily the popular beige fleck glaze. Dinnerware items with this upright wing mark in non-standard colors were made by Red Wing and are categorized as post-production items.   

Larry

Question:

My mother recently gave me her set of Red Wing Bob White. I’ve been able to research most of the items myself, but have questions on a few pieces. I have attached pictures.

First is what she called a fish tray. It does not have the Bob White decoration but does have the coloration of the pattern and says Red Wing on the bottom. Is it Bob White and what would be a value?

Next is a tumbler. She had two of these…one for each of us boys. It’s obviously a second….the picture will show the flaw. Otherwise they’re in excellent condition. Value with the flaw please.

And finally a Bob White trivet in excellent condition. Value please.

Thanks for your help.

Steve

Answer:

The platter (fish tray) is not Bob White. It is one of numerous Red Wing items produced with the popular Beige Fleck glaze and no other decoration. These items were intended to be used with any pattern, especially those with the Beige Fleck background color (such as Bob White). Value for the platter is $20-25 in mint condition.

The Bob White trivet is difficult to find and was made for only two years (1958-1959). Value is $150 to $200 in mint condition.

Bob White tumblers are also difficult to find and were made for a limited time beginning in the early 1960s. Value in mint condition is $60-75. The flaw shown on the tumbler will reduce the value by approximately 50%.

Larry

Question:

Hello,

I received this pitcher from a friend and was wondering more about it and its value. Also anyone that would like to purchase it.

Description:

 Light rose background Slight chip (?) on bottom but it looks like it has been glazed over. Can’t see the dull clay On the bottom is Red Wing, Hand painted, USA, 2103 No other chips or marks.

Any help would be appreciated

Judy

Answer:

The photo shows a water pitcher from the Fruit dinnerware pattern. Fruit is one of many patterns made in the Concord shape. The pattern was designed by Belle Kogan and was produced from 1952 to 1955. The number 2103 is a stock or lot number; it does not identify the pattern and has no affect on value. Value for a Fruit pitcher in mint condition is $40-50. Damage will reduce the value by 25 to 75% or more depending on the extent and location of the damage.

Larry

Question:

I recently acquired this item at a local gift shop. The plate is glued to a candlestick (to form a cake plate) and so there aren’t any markings visible on the backside. The plate is 10-3/8” in diameter and the ceramic finish appears to have a sort of basket weave look. I’m not versed in the language of dinnerware and so am not able to give you the best description. I hope the photo is sufficient. I had contacted Replacements.com and they identified the plate as follows:

Pattern: REW13 by Red Wing [REWREW13]
Description: Anniversary, Brown Flower, Smooth, No Trim

However, I saw no such item on the redwingdinnerware.com website. I’m wondering if it is a Red Wing knockoff.

This search has been an education since I was totally unfamiliar with Red Wing Pottery before now.

I love the pattern and would like to pursue a collection but can’t begin without accurate identification. Thank you for any help you can offer.

Sherry

Answer:

Sorry, but I’m quite certain that neither section of this pedestal stand was made by Red Wing.  Other potteries made plates with a textured surface similar to Tweed Tex. In fact I purchased a pedestal stand very similar to this one on eBay years ago in hopes it was a Red Wing oddity, but it was not.  The giveaway is the foot ring on the bottom of the plate.  The ring on this plate is wider and closer to the edge of the plate; the ring on a Tweed Tex dinner plate is smaller and not as wide.  I’ve attached a photo of a Tweed Tex plate for comparison. 

Tweed Tex was produced from 1953 to 1956. As for how Red Wing dinnerware was decorated, it was done in production line fashion.  Each painter was assigned a color or two, and as the dinnerware came down the line the painter added the strokes needed in her colors.  Other than items made for personal use (lunch hour pieces), no one employee decorated an entire dinnerware set or even a single item.

Larry