Question:
Good Afternoon,
I have been reading the stoneware ask the experts section since I found it a few months ago. It has been so helpful! I have been very fortunate in my picking/estate sale/auction purchasing lately so I would like to ask Al Kohlman about a few items of my collection. Unfortunately, I have one piece that isn’t pictured and I cannot find any information about it. I will have it in my possession next weekend. It is a butter crock about the same size as the cottage cheese labeled one in the photos but I believe it is a Red Wing and it has the same font and color as the number 4 from Granger, WA. It had butter on it and was labeled (a full name but I only remember the last) Abrams from a city in Michigan.
As far as the information I would like I was hoping to confirm they are all Red Wing, when they were made, and if at all possible an approximate value. I will not be selling these as they are loved items in my collection.
The condition of each is as follows:
Land o Lakes Butter: no chips, crackers or glaze issues.
Cottage Cheese crock: slight hairline that looks as if it came from the production run, right at center above the label.
#2 Butter churn: No lid, no dasher. There is a minor chip just inside the rim to the right of the label if looking at it. Otherwise there are no condition issues.
#5 Birch leaf crock: no cracks but a minor chip just inside the rim to the right of the label if looking at it.
1 gallon Red Wing Jug: No noticeable condition issues. The cloth was around the cork when I purchased it so I kept it that way.
15 Red Wing Butterfly: It is stamped, there are no harlines or cracks of any kind. There is a slight glaze issue and as pictured to curious depressions that look like they could either be chips or depressions made when it was made.
4 WL Barker crock: I found an article from a convention where one was auctioned off many years ago. It was stated that it was a very rare Red Wing item that, at the time in 2003 (I think) sold for $2800.
I can provide additional pictures if you would like. I chose these to limit the size of the email I am sending.
Also, is there any literature you recommend regarding information on Red Wing crockery? I soak up all I can at every antique show and from what I can find on the internet.
Thank you so much for your help and information!
Brian
Answer:
Brian, both the butter & cottage cheese crocks are not Red Wing. No idea of their value.
#2 Butter churn: No lid, no dasher. There is a minor chip just inside the rim to the right of the label if looking at it. Otherwise there are no condition issues. $150 to $175
#5 Birch leaf crock: no cracks but a minor chip just inside the rim to the right of the label if looking at it. $70 to $80
1 gallon Red Wing Jug: No noticeable condition issues. The cloth was around the cork when I purchased it so I kept it that way. $175
15 Red Wing Butterfly: It is stamped, there are no harlines or cracks of any kind. There is a slight glaze issue and as pictured to curious depressions that look like they could either be chips or depressions made when it was made. Those depressions are chips. $2000 to $2300
4 WL Barker crock: I found an article from a convention where one was auctioned off many years ago. It was stated that it was a very rare Red Wing item that, at the time in 2003 (I think) sold for $2800. In 2003 the prices of Red Wing pieces were at their prime. Since the melt down of the economy in 2008 Red Wing values have dropped. However, you still have a nice piece here. Value today, $1500 to $2000. Hope this was helpful. Al Kohlman
