Category Archives: Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

M-3013 Vase

Question: {mosimage}
I have a red wing M-3013 green with the very top of the narrow opening glazed a country blue inside and after the top being blue, you can see further down inside that it is white glazed or clear with the clay itself being white. The vase is approximately 15 inches tall, purchased about 35 years ago in Old Town Chicago on Wells street from an antique store that also sold odds and ends. I thought it was unusual and not at all attractive but bought it because of how different and juvenile the design was. Sorry the picture is not clearer. Can you give me an approximate value on it? Thanks Denise

Answer:
Denise, The vase is from Charles Murphy’s Decorator Line circa 1959. Silver green would be the glaze. Murphy is known for his creative interpretations of figurals. It should be worth around $300.00 or so. Hope this helps, thanks, Steve n Rose

Continue reading →

Finding Lotus Dinnerware

Question:
Hello! Very excited to find the RWCS site! My mother had the Red Wing Lotus Bronze set (pretty much a full set), and I am trying to replace it … starting from scratch. I have purchased a couple pieces via eBay (it’s the piecemeal delivery charges that are killing me! driving the prices up more than twice the price). I wonder if there is a better way to do this. Should I plan a trip to MN and go through the shops? Or, is the convention a better route in the summer? It breaks my heart I no longer have the set, which I love dearly. Any ideas? Many thanks, Mary Zimnik, Atlanta, GA

P.S. This is a dumb question, I know. Once I have the set, is it okay to use it? I know they need to be washed by hand, and I would only use for special occasions, but is it considered, in general, the idea that these collectables are to be used? THANKS!

Answer:
Mary, Ebay can be a great source for Red Wing dinnerware, but as you state the shipping charges can kill you. Lotus dinnerware is relatively inexpensive but it is heavy — the shipping could easily be more than the purchase price. And of course there’s always concern your purchase may arrive as a box of shards rather the dinnerware you expected.

Fortunately the Lotus pattern was made in large numbers and most pieces are quite easy to find. No guarantees of course, but undoubtedly you’d find Lotus available in antique and second-hand shops in MN and surrounding states. And no doubt there will be Lotus dinnerware at the RWCS convention and the many sales that take place in town that week. Somewhere along the way you’ll probably even be lucky enough to find most of the pieces you seek in one location. But where will that be? Who knows?

And there you have the two opposite ways to seek your Red Wing prey: The ease of shopping eBay from your computer, with the expensive and risk of shipping. Or the thrill of hunting out in the marketplace, with no guarantee that your travel time and expense will reap any reward.

You might consider placing a classified ad in the RWCS newsletter or on the Wing Tips website. You might just might reach the person who has what you seek, and if you are really lucky you’ll be able to complete your transaction enroute to Red Wing or at the convention.

But if that fails, you’ll have to resort to hunting in the shops the old fashioned way. Remember, the hunt is at least half the fun of collecting. I tend to seek out common pieces in shops and at auctions, and use eBay to find the more difficult pieces I need.

Once you have your set of Lotus, there’s no reason you shouldn’t use it. Special occasions are fine, but some people (like my family) use Red Wing for our everyday dishes. Try to obtain a few extra pieces on the cheap so you’ll have a spare if one gets damaged in use. Handwashing your collectable dishes is obviously the safe way to go rather than a dishwasher. Good luck! Larry

Continue reading →

Spongeware Casserole Dish

Question: {mosimage}
Hello! I recently found a spongeware casserole covered dish in brown and green and I was wondering about some information on it, mainly is it redwing and maybe an estimate on value? It measures 7 1/2" across and stands 4/5 inches tall to the top of the knob. good condition, one small rim chip. I looked through all my books and on ebay and could not find anything like it. Thanks Beth

Answer:
Hello Beth. After reviewing your photo of your spongeware casserole covered dish I cannot tell you who the manufactor of this casserole is. However, I can tell you that it was not manufactured by the Red Wing Stoneware Company. All of the Redwing Spongeware cassroles were in a red & blue sponge. Sorry I could not be of further help. Al Kohlman

Continue reading →

5 Gallon Purex Jug

Question:
I am wondering what the value is of a five gallon jug that has a blue Purex label with the address of the Purex Co. in it, and the Red wing logo is not a wing but in a blue oval. The jug is light colored on the bottom and brown cone shaped on the top part. My description isn’t too good, but maybe you will have an idea what I’m talking about. Thanks so much. Nell

Answer:
Nell, Your Red Wing Potteries jug has the purex label printed in an octagon style outline. I do see a fair number of these advertising jugs come up for sale. They range from $225 to $300 depending on condition and how nice, dark and clear the advertising is. Al Kohlman

Continue reading →

Union Fruit Jar

Question: {mosimage}
I would like to know what this Union Stoneware Fruit Jar is worth? It has an inscription on the bottom that indicates it was made in the late 1800s. Florence

Answer:
Florence, Red Wing manufactured these stoneware fruit jars in the 1 gallon, 1/2 gallon & 1 quart size. Yours looks to be the 1 quart. Many of these fruit jars were incised with a Patent dated Jan. 24, 1899 on their bottoms. The stamps on the front were either in Blue ink or Black. Blue seams to be more desired by collectors. After looking at the photo, I cannot tell if it is blue ink or black on the front of your fruit jar. Either way, you have a nice piece of Red Wing. It is valued somewhere between $225 & $275. Thanks Al.

Continue reading →

Number 2 Redwing Crock

Question:
I have a crock with the number 2 and a redwing. I am interested in knowing how much it is worth. Someone would like to have it and I am not sure what it’s worth. Thanks for your time, Michele

Answer:
Michele, without seeing a photo of your crock or additional information, it is hard for me to give you a fairly close value on your crock. example: Does your crock have an oval? Is the wing 2" long or 4" long? Are there chips or cracks? Therefore, I will do my best to help you out. If your crock has no chips or cracks, the average 2 gallon crock ranges from $30 to $50. Hope this helps, Al

Continue reading →

Three Gallon Butter Churn

Question: {mosimage}
It is an unmarked churn 14 1/4" tall X 8" wide. It has an incised line around the upper portion of the crock. The cobalt is in pretty good condition with only minimal ‘fry’ . It does appear to have two spots (one in the picture) that have been filled in, perhaps chips? There are no cracks at all on this piece. It is dirty. I do believe it is a Red Wing. I would like to find out it’s rarity and value. I understand from my research that it is an early piece? Thank you for your time and consideration! Respectfully, Julie

Answer:
Julie, you have an early Red Wing salt glaze 3 gallon butter churn with a leaf. This churn was manufactured somewhere between 1878 & 1895. The spot on the front which you refer to as be filled in is where another piece of stoneware or clay had touch this piece during the firing process. Your churn is very collectible among us Red Wing salt glaze collectors. Without seeing the piece up close, I would place the value of your churn between $1000 & 1500. Al Kohlman

Continue reading →

5 Gallon 1915 Crock

Question: {mosimage}
I bought this 5 gal crock in early eighties. I was told it was a first issue, whatever that might be. No cracks, very good condtion. Can you tell me if "patented 1915" has any significance and appx worth? Thanks for info. Lynn

Answer:
Lynn, on December 21,1915 the Red Wing Stoneware Company received a patent for the invention of securing a handle to a stoneware jar. Before this, Red Wing jars did not have handles. There were a small number of jars that were stamped "Patent Applied For". These were what I think you were told, first issues. These "Patent Applied For" are sought after by collectors. Your crock in excellent condition is worth between $50 and $80. Al Kohlman

Continue reading →

Thompson Dept. Store

Question:
I just purchased my second piece of advertising for the Thompson Department Store. Can you give me any background on where this store was located and when it was in operation? If you don’t know specific can you steer me in the direction of where I might look for the information. Thanks, Wendy

Answer:
Wendy, the only information I have on a Thompson is the J.B. Thompson & Son’s store in Northwood, Iowa. The general store was founded by John Thompson in 1873. Throughout the years, the business changed in name to: Thompson & Lund, Thompson, Lund & Sime and finally. J.B. Thompson & Son’s. Thompson’s businees consisted of yard goods, clothing & shoes. You can contact the Worth county Historical Society in Iowa for further information. Hope this helps. Al Kohlman

Continue reading →

Perfection Draining Jars

Question:
I own 2-30 gallon Perfection Sanitary Self Draining Jars in excellent condition and would like some back groung on them. I bought the jars in the south and wonder how they were applicable to southern usage and please give me a estimated value. Micheal

Answer:
Michael, these Perfection Self Draining jars were generally used by Dairy, Laboratories and Chemical Companies. Because of their large size, need of a stand or another crock of the same size to place on on top of for display or display upside down, these self drainers are not highly sought after. Depending on how well stamped and appealing the range of your self drainers would be valued from $200 to $250. Al Kohlman

Continue reading →

Page 741 of 745« First...710720730«739740741742743»...Last »