Question:
This is a question of Al. We recieved a red wing chicken feeder for Christmas or so we are told. Is there such a thing and if so what is the value? It sits on its side with 2 ears (legs) that cause it to tilt downward. It is a little larger then a gallon size. It has a slit on the front where supposively the chickens put their heads to eat. This offset slit it about 4 inches in. Thanks for all the help, Kelli

Answer:
Kelli, Red Wing made a number of different Chicken feeders. The one you are describing sounds like the Eureka. Red Wing made these in 1/2, 1 & 2 gallons. The most desirable of this feeder is the one which has the first Red Wing oval (ski oval) stamped on the top and the Red Wing impressed signature on the back. Without seeing a photo of this feeder, I would guess it to be the 1 gallon size. Without an oval or signature $50 to $100. With just an oval on the top $125 to $175. With an oval & signature up to $250 to $300. These prices are for mint pieces, and nice markings.
Al Kohlman

Question:
I have a redwing feeder. It is a bell type, about a foot high, with small half circle cut outs on either side of the bottom, with blue lettering. Should this have a dish that went underneath it? And what do these sell for? Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, David

Answer:
David, sounds like you have the 2 gallon Red Wing Sanitary (bell) Chicken Drinking and Buttermilk feeder. Red Wing made these in four sizes with the 2 gallon being the largest size. All of these bell feeders came with a base. Of course, the base is the hardest piece to find. Your gallon feeder in mint condition without the base would be in the range of $75 to $100. If you can locate a base for this, you would most likely pay $50 to $75 for it.
Al Kohlman

Question: {mosimage}
I have a churn. 5 gallon, with cover. Has the 5 in blue, the redwing, and Union Stoneware stamp on front. Cover has 5&6 on it. What can you tell me about it and what is it worth. Thanks Kay

Answer:
Kay, your Red Wing 5 gallon churn was manufactured between 1915 and 1930. Before 1915 the wing size was usually 6 inches long from point to point. After 1930 the wing sizes were reduced to 2 7/8 inches. Your churn has the 4 1/2 inch wing which was the standard size for this time frame. If your churn & lid is in mint condition, I would place the value at $350 to $375. Al Kohlman

Question:
I have a piece approx 4-5" tall, 5" in diameter, white with blue stripe around top and bottom and the words "RED WING BEATER JAR EGGS – CREAM SALAD DRESSING" on one side. It was my grandmothers and she was from northern MN. Love to know any info you have and will provide a photo if needed. Tami

Answer:
Tami, Your grandmother’s Red Wing beater jar was manufactured from the late 1920′s and 30′s. Red Wing also produced these with advertising for merchants to give away as premiums during holidays and special events. This piece of kitchen stoneware was very popular item during it’s time. With advertising it is very much in demand by Red Wing collectors. Al Kohlman

Question: {mosimage}
Hi, Can you tell me who made these miniature jugs? I have found many references to Red Wing or other potteries but I can’t pinpoint it to a specific company. I would greatly appreciate your help. Thanks Chris

Answer:
Chris, I am afraid I am not able to pinpoint the exact pottery who made this mini jug either. My best guess is Western Stoneware Company, UHL or Ohio (again my best guess). All of these companies manufactured mini jugs of this shape for different business throughout the United States. Al Kohlman

Question: {mosimage}
Hi, I am a collector of midwest regional pottery, particularly Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois. Recently found this piece in Milwaukee area thrift shop. Definite salt glaze/cobalt brushed – handthrown, heavy stoneware, clay very similar to Red Wing stoneware 1920-30′s. Inscribed initials on bottom – MH (Mary Huhn?) Size – 3 1/8" height, 5" major diameter, 2 1/2" opening. Flat, slightly concaved dry bottom, glaze drips over bottom ridge.

At first purchase, I thought this might be a Max Howell (of Century House , Madison, WI 1948-63), but further inspection leads me to believe this a a potential RWS lunch hour item . Piece does not appear contemporary (appears true salt glaze) and is too well modelled for a " ceramics class " item or student item.
Thanks, Anthony

Answer:
Anthony, the only photo I received is of the bottom with the initials MH incised in the clay. The initials, small dark specks in the clay, along with the photo make me believe (at this point) this piece is not Red Wing. Also, the thought of a piece being a lunch hour piece again makes things difficult as there is not another known piece such as this to compare it to. Al Kohlman

Question:
Hi I have a 5 gallon shoulder jug, I can’t find anything about it. Maybe you can help? In the Red Wing Stoneware book on page 37 is a jug that looks something like it. My jug doesn’t have a dark brown top it looks like carmel to me, it has a 5 with a wing under it with an oval under that. Oval Red Wing Union Stoneware Co. Red Wing, Minn. Hope you can help and what is it worth? Jerry

Answer:
Jerry, Your jug is Red Wing and would be in the same price range as stated in your Red Wing Stoneware book. The Albany slips came in both the dark shiny color (more desirable with most collectors) and the carmel color. Also, the size of the wing on your jug would also contribute to the cost. The larger the wing, the greater the demand. Either way, this is a rare jug. If no damage, your jug is worth between $400 & $500 depending on wing size and appeal. Al Kohlman

Question:
I am an avid collector of advertised red wing stoneware. I have my eye on a piece and wonder if it is Red Wing or not. This advertised piece is a tall 1 gal or little less jug. It doesn’t have a shoulder and is more like a beehive except it is taller and skinnier. The shape of the jug doesn’t come off as Red Wing, but the advertised stamp does. It is stamped with the shield design. It reads "Haarmann Pickle and Vinegar Co. Established 1897 Omaha, Neb." The shield and print is dark blue. There is a Haarmann’s Bros. bailed jug on redwing net under the advertising part of the gallery section with a outlined red shield. That piece is bottomed marked Red Wing and the shield is identical to the one I’m looking at except it is not red. Thus I know Haarmann’s did do business with Red Wing. In my research, whether this is true or not, it was noted in a Q&A part of a red wing website that Haarmann’s did business with other stoneware companies.

So my questions are as follows:
1. How do I know if this Haarmann’s is Red Wing? This will be the deciding factor on whether I buy the piece.

2. Is there any signs that it is or is not that I should be looking for?

3. If it is Red Wing, what is a fair price? I don’t mind spending some money, but on the other hand, they don’t need to get rich off me.

4. Sorry, I don’t have a pic.

Do you consider it inappropriate to walk into an antique mall and take a pic of an item that you are interested in just for the sake determining the maker? I think it is crossing the line, but with all the info. out there, we do live in a tech world. Etiquette?

Thanks for your help.
Dan, Red Wing Collector in Omaha.

Answer:
Dan, without seeing a photo of this jug, it would not be fair to say it is Red Wing or not. The shape of the jug as described in your email has me concerned. So without the photo I am not comfortable in giving you advice on this piece. If I were you, I would take a digital camera to the mall and take a photo of this jug. I do this all the time in both malls and homes. Haarmann’s had a few pieces of Red Wing advertising on their molded bailed jugs that used the shield design. However, your description of the jug does not sound like a bailed jug. So grab your camera and shoot me a photo and I will be happy to try and help you out on this one. It sounds like a great piece of advertising so don’t let it just slip away without making every effort to identify it to make sure it is what you want. Al Kohlman

{mosimage}Question:
Hi, Is this jug a Redwing? Beehive? It measures aprox. 13 1/2\" high x 10\" across the bottom. No makers marks on the jug. As you can see it has a three on the front. Please id this jug and give aprox. value. It is in great condition. Thank you, Allen

Answer:
Mark, the only photo I received of your jug was a left side view. In viewing this photo, the left side of the handle base in which it was applied looks to be Red Wing. I would be extremely helpful to know how the 3 was applied. Is the 3 stamped into jug or was it etched into the Albany slip by a sharp object such as a nail?

Knowing this would better identify the jug. Now as far as value. The most common of these Red Wing beehives is the 5, follow by the 4′s. I see very few 3′s. If your jug is Red Wing and in Mint condition, I would place the value between $300 & $500. If not Red Wing $50 to $100.

Hope this helps. Al Kohlman