Category Archives: Ask the Experts

Ask the Experts

5 gallon salt glazed churn, possible Western Crock

Question:

My sister in law asked me to email you and get some information about theses crocks from the Hallstrom greenhouse salt glaze collection.

Answer:

This 5 gallon salt glazed churn is what is called a lazy 8 target design.  The  three small ribs in the lazy 8 is ussually seen on Western Stoneware pieces, but I have seen a 4 gallon crock (only one) with this design stamped Red Wing.

I myself would not purchase these pieces unless they are signed because of this.  However, it is a sharp piece of salt glaze and therefore salt glaze collectors look at the beauty of the piece regardless of who may have produced it.

Produce in the mid to late 1800′s. Because it very well could be western, I have no idea of value. My opinion only.   al

6 gallon salt glazed with a bird

Question:

I was wondering if you could give me some info. and value on this crock. its a 6 gal. salt glazed with a bird, one VERY small 2 inch hairline crack on one side that doesn’t go all the through other than that it’s perfect. It has been in my family for years and some people think it’s a Red Wing.  has no marking on it.  Thanks any any help you can give Chris

Answer:

this is a tough one.  I (personally) think this piece is not Red Wing, but Ohio. I may be wrong on this one, but it is a piece that one would really need to see it in person to make a better call.  I question the markings ex: the number 6, the cobalt lines under the 6, how the lazy 8 is drawn, the little brown spec’s in the clay and the cut line which goes through the number 6.  These small details look Ohio to me.

 Still a nice piece.  Would guess, (just a guess) that the value would be $2500 to $3000.   Again a piece that would need to be seen in person and by more than one strong collector.   al

Two Step Dinnerware: bowls, cups, saucers, plates, creamer, and sugar bowl

Question:

I acquired a partial set of red wing dinnerware, was told they may be the Contemporary style but could not find anything exactly like this. I have a cream, sugar, 3 tea cups, 2 small plates, 1 large salad bowl and 1 smaller bowl. I was just wondering what this style was called, year it was made, and if they have any value. One plate has a crack through it, otherwise a very nice looking set. Thank you! Brad

Answer:

Two Step is a hand painted pattern made in the Village Green shape. The colors are similar to Red Wing’s extremely popular Bob White pattern. Two Step and its sister pattern Picardy were introduced in 1960. Neither pattern sold particularly well. The 1961 dealer’s price lists includes both patterns with a full complement of available items. But the 1962 price list shows only a limited set of available pieces, as Red Wing focused attention on the new DuoTone (Cylinder) line introduced that year. Thus Two Step and Picardy were in full production for only a couple of years.

Two Step isn’t rare by any means but it is isn’t common either. It also isn’t especially popular with collectors, so values are no better than average when compared to other Red Wing patterns.

The following values are for Two Step items in excellent, undamaged condition; any damage reduces the value significantly.

Creamer:  $10-15

Sugar with cover:  $10-15

Tea Cup (without saucer): $5-10

Small plate (6” or 8”):  $5-10

Small bowl (3 or 4 bowls fit this description):  $10-25 depending on the bowl type

Large salad bowl (12”):  $40-60

Larry

Blue vase marked 864

Question:

this is a long shot….attached vase has similarities to other red wing pottery:

color, base and top lip shape, bottom foot, side scrolls.  it has USA and 864 or 664 in mold, very shallow and hard to see.

7 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ x 3″

could this be red wing?  the side scrolls have a bit of a leaf contour in them.  thank you so much…i’ve also checked camark and niloak to no avail.

thank you so much, jan.

Answer:

Hi Jan
it is similar to a lot of Red Wing, but the shape doesn’t look familiar to me, and the numbers don’t match anything in the books.  I would have guessed Camark as well.  sorry we can’t be of any more help.  thanks, steve n rose

one gallon bottom signed Minnesota Stoneware Company crock

Question:

Hello,

I apologize if this message is coming to you in error, but this is the only address I could find on your site to send my question.  I have a few typical red wing crocks, and today, I came across a much smaller crock without the traditional red and blue trademark stamp on the side.  The bottom of the crock is stamped with Minnesota Stoneware Co. Red Wing  Min.  The crock itself stands 8 inches tall and the outer diameter is 8 1/4 inches (inside is 7 1/4″).  I have attached a couple of pictures in case it helps you provide me with any more information like size or year.

Thank you so much for your time.  I would not call myself a collector, but I have established a small collection of these things for someone who doesn’t claim to collect anything!

Happy Holidays and thank you!

Jody

Answer:

this is a one gallon bottom signed Minnesota Stoneware Company crock. Value is around $30 because of being bottom signed.  If it had decoration or advertising the value would be much greater. al

3 gallon birch leaf crock, Minnesota Stoneware Co.

Question:

Hi we are hoping you can tell us the value this crock, a little history on it and perhaps where we can sell them?  We have tried looking in the books about them and also online but havent found out much specifically.  Thanks !

Kelli

Answer:

this is a 3 gallon birch leaf crock which was produced by the Minnesota Stoneware Company between 1895 & 1906.  In perfect

condition, they have a value in the area of $60 to $70.   al

King of Tarts Bank

Question:
I have a King of Tarts bank. It appears to have been made at the factory out of a King of Tarts cookie jar, except the coin slot and the hole in the bottom are both done prior to glazing. It is clearly stamped RED WING on the bottom. If you look in the hole you can see where the lid was attached. Can you give me any ideas about this item and its value? It has no chips or cracks.
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Town & Country “Shmoo” by Eva Zeisel

Question:
I am currently researching Eva Zeisel for a graduate school project. I am interested specifically in the salt and pepper shakers from the Town and Country line. I am wondering if you have the original price listings for the set? I am also trying to find records of prices on the secondary market so that I can analyze the results, but have had little luck. The few records I have found have been from major auction houses, which is not very helpful. Do you happen to know any of the smaller auctioneers, or dealers who frequently have Shmoos?
Thank you, Claire S.

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Lion Stoneware Door Stop

Question: Aloha,

I  have been doing some research about a stoneware lion that my parents gave
to me.  They got it from a relative who lived in Red Wing many
years ago.   I recently caught sight of a picture of the exact lion on
an auction site that listed it as a Red Wind Lion Door Stop.  It said there
are four known to exist.  I am now excited that I might be able to date this
critter and maybe even get more information on it if you have any.  I am
attaching a picture of it (it is from the auction site but it is the same
lion).

Please let me know if you know any more about it or if you could point me in
a direction in which I could find something.  I have loved this lion since I
became conscious  and am so happy to know a wee bit about it.

Mahalo!

Susan

Answer: there is not a lot of history on this Lion Doorstop.  They think if was produced after the turn of the century as it is not listed in the  1895 -96 price list.  However, it could have been produced before that era.  They reportedly came in two sizes, but I do not know the sizes as they are so rare ($7,000 to $10,000) rare (I have only seen one for sale in my 25 years and that was last year at convention).  One can only wish to own one.  Al

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