Question:

Hello! I was wondering if you could give a close value for this jug. It has no major flaws. Also, around what year did this come from? Thank you! Phil

Answer:

Phil, the value of your Red Wing 5 gallon Beehive with 6 inch wing is between $300 & $350.  Your beehive was produced between 1909 & 1915.  Al Kohlman

Question:

I think the cover on the 20-gallon one has a different glaze and I’m curious about that. I’m happy to answer questions from the person you send this too.

Could someone help me price them or, even better, tell me who might be interested in them and where I might sell them? 

Thank you so much!!

Susan

Answer:

Susan, if your 20 gallon Red Wing crock is in perfect condition, the value on just the crock is $200.  If the Red Wing button lid is perfect as well, $275 to $300 for just the lid.  The two together make a beautifully set.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Hello,

Gee, I am sorry not to have taken a picture of my gallon crock, however, it is very plain and I will describe as much as I can.  It is a gallon crock with no lid.  Just one red wing.  The red wing is not smooth…it is rough, however, not swirly, just like it was applied half way through firing.  Does this make sense?  I hope so. No mark on the bottom or anywhere else.  I do think it is old from my husband’s side of the family.  Can you give me any info?  Thank you for considering my question.  Peggy

Answer:

Peggy, your 1 gallon Red Wing crock sounds like a vintage piece of Red Wing and not a reproduction.  On some of the pieces the Red Wing was applied (by stamp) while the clay was quite wet.  When this happens, the stamp will leave a small impression which one could feel by sliding their fingers across the red wing.  What I don’t know is the size of the red wing.  If the red wing is 4 1/2 inches long (1909 to 1930)and in perfect condition the value can run from $350 to $450.  If the red wing is 2 7/8 inch long (1930 to 1947), then the value  (in perfect condition is around $200.  Hope this is what you are looking for.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Hi,  I just purchase this Hydro-clean Toilet Cleaner 5 gallon jug and would like to know if it is a Redwing jug and to get some idea on value (photo attached).  The jug is in very good condition, no cracks, and only minor bottom rim chips.  Thank you ahead of time for your advice.   Mike

Answer: 

Mike, your 5 gal  Hydro-clean  advertising jug is Red Wing.  In perfect condition the value is $400 to $500.  Al Kohlman

Question:

I have a 4 gallon water cooler.  Except for two very small and faint x shaped lines on the inside wall, there are no chips or cracks.  These two x’s are so faint, I can’t feel them with my finger nails, but I wanted to mention them.  They do NOT appear on the outside.  A picture of them is attached.

Can you tell me the age and approximate value?

Also, I would really like to make this water cooler complete, so how can I obtain an original spigot and lid for this and about how much would they cost. 

Thank you.

Tony

Answer:

Tony, your Red Wing water cooler was produced between 1930 & 1947.  It would have a value in the neighborhood of $300 or so.  A perfect 4 gallon Red Wing water cooler lid will sell between $325 & $350.  An original “Central” spigot sells for $50.

You can advertise that you are looking for these items in the Red Wing Newsletter and you should be able to obtain both by doing this.  Al Kohlman

Question:

What is the value of this 15 gallon transitional crock? It has a hairline in the front as you can see, but it’s very faint and is only in the glazing. but it’s an elephant ear with logo, hand drawn 15 with brown interior. Jordan

Answer:

Jordan, with two large cracks such as this, the value will be $500 or less.  I would not go over $500 with hairlines this long.  Hope this helps.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Hi, 

I was wondering if you could help me on the value of this Red Wing Crock with Lid.

Thanking you in advance.

Sincerely,

Dorothy

Answer:

Dorothy, the value on the 8 gallon Red Wing button lid will be somewhat low do to the chip in the lid and the dark salt on the top of the lid.  Collectors today are looking for the creamy white lids in perfect condition.  Value $100 to $150.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Hello,

We came across a 20 gallon crock we believe to be Minnesota Stone Ware with black lettering and the double birch leaf (photo attached). After some research, I found that an unmarked crock might have been commissioned for Sears Roebuck company. Just wondering a value and approximate date range?

Thank you,

Kelsey

Answer:

Kelsey, you are correct on your statement.  The Minnesota Stoneware Company crock you have here was produced between 1895 & 1906.  Value in perfect condition is around $200.   Al Kohlman

Question:

I have a 12 gallon red wing crock with both handles. I have seen other people mention a date on their crocks but i am unable to find one on mine. I was wondering the estimated value. I have attached a photo of the crock.

Thank You,
Toni

Answer:

Toni, your 12 gallon Red Wing crock with the 6 inch wing was produced right around 1915.  In perfect condition, the value is between $150 & $175.  Al Kohlman

Question:

On April 11/12 Al Kohlman answered a question on ask the expert about a 5 gallon Western Commercial jug with a 3 inch wing. this jug is from Saskatchewan- Alberta provinces. He states that it was made between 1918 and 1930. I know of other liquor jugs from different towns in Saskatchewan and Alberta in 3 or 5 gallon sizes with the three inch wing, is it possible that these jugs were made before 1918 as these two provinces started the Liquor Prohibition on June 30 of 1915

All the best,

Andre

Answer:

Hello again, Andre.  As usual, you have some great pieces!  Yes, the jugs in your photo were made before 1918.  The reason Al gave you the 1918 to 1930 time window is that’s when Red Wing used the 2.5 (or 3) inch wing and I’m guessing he didn’t see your photo.  The wing used on your jugs is a little over 4 inches long.  I believe all three of these companies appear in the Red Wing Potteries Ledger, which contains orders placed for advertising stoneware between 1906 and 1914.

The Prince Albert Liquor Co. placed a rush order for 25 3 gallon jugs on Feb. 19, 1913.  The Western Commerical Co. ordered 100 5 gallons jugs on April 26, 1913.  Both the Western Commercial Co. and Prince Albert Liquor Co. placed multiple orders between 1906 and 1914, so Red Wing likely made more jugs than the # quoted.  There are about 150 pages to sift through in the ledger, so I didn’t have time to look through all of it and find an entry for the Kamsack jug.  But, I think I recall seeing it in there.

Best regards,

Rick Natynski

RWCS Newsletter Editor