Question: Hi
Al,

I just picked up this jug at an auction and was hoping that you would appraise
it for me. I went toe to toe with another bidder who really wanted it, but I
prevailed!

It is in excellent shape, but there are three minor chips on the outside of the
spout. The markings are very dark.  I acquired the crock a few months ago.
It has a small chip on the left handle, otherwise it is in excellent shape.

Thanks,

Andy

Answer: Andy, your 4 gallon S/A jug is a real beauty.  I don’t think either piece is Red Wing, but collectors who love S/A pieces either think they are or don’t care.  They just plain love them!  Value on your 4 gallon S/A Beehive.  $1500 to $1800.  The 4 gallon S/A crock $300 to $400.  Al Kohlman

Question:
Hello – I have a 1914 August Becker Pitcher and am wondering what the current value might be.  Thank you

Carol

Answer: Carol, if you have the white August Becker Pitcher in perfect condition, the value today is between $2500 & $3000.  Al Kohlman

Question: What is the value of this crock?

Answer: The Red Wing 6 gallon salt glazed leaf crock in perfect condition would have a value between $350 & $450.  Al Kohlman

Question:

I recently purchased this small cherry band pitcher at a local auction and am 100% sure
that it is a red wing, but have not been able to find out more about it. It is in
very good condition, with only a little separation in the glaze between the pitcher and upper handle. It stands 6 1/4″ tall and is 4 1/4″ wide at the base. When was it made and what is its value? Any information you could provide would be appreciated.

Thanks, Julie

Answer:

Julie, the first Red Wing Cherry Band pitcher was advertised in a 1914 catalog.   They were quite a popular item and were produced for many years.   Value on your 6″ cherry band pitcher today is between $150 & $200.   Al Kohlman

Question:

I recently came across a 5 gallon Union Stoneware Churn with the ski oval that is double stamped on 2 opposite sides.  One side includes the number 5, two birch
leaves and the ski oval.  The opposite side includes the number 5 and two birch leaves, but no ski oval.  The churn does not have a lid and also has no cracks or chips.  It is also not bottom marked.  I am wondering on the value of the churn.

Thanks so much for your help.

Vicky

Answer: Vicky, much of the value will depend on how well it is
marked as well as being in perfect condition.  If the markings are dark
and well defined, the value on your 5 gallon Red Wing birchleaf churn could be
any where from $650 to $1000.  Without seeing the piece, I must leave
some room for flaws, decorations & details.  Al Kohlman

Question:

I am a collector of Red Wing “sponge band” (gray line) stoneware. I have seen most of what has been written on the subject in guidebooks and on the net. Currently I own most to all known production pieces.

However, it has left some questions:

1) Have any lunch-hour or non-production pieces ever turned up? For example; rolling pins, saffron ware shapes decorated as “sponge band”. Any pictures of such
items?

2) How many of the 4oz sample-size casseroles (as pictured in the “Clay Giants” book) are known to exist, and what would be the estimated value? Where do the known examples    reside?

3) Was the mug offered in more than one size? Seems like one of the “Clay Giants” books suggested two sizes. The size I own and have seen measures 4.5″ X 3″

I realize these may not be the easiest of questions to answer. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards, Matt

Answer:

Matt, your answers will be below your questions.

1) Have any lunch-hour or
non-production pieces ever turned up? For example; rolling pins,
saffron ware shapes decorated as “sponge band”. Any pictures of such
items?

I have never seen or heard of Sponge Band lunch hour pieces.

2) How many of the 4oz
sample-size casseroles (as pictured in the “Clay Giants” book) are
known to exist, and what would be the estimated value? Where do the
known examples    reside?

I have no idea of how manyof the Half Pint (4 oz) Sponge Band casseroles exist.  Value is $375 &
$450

3) Was the mug offered in more than one size? Seems like one of the “Clay Giants”books suggested two sizes. The size I own and have seen measures 4.5″
X 3″.

There are two sizes of Sponge Band mugs, your sizes listed in your question is correct.  Al Kohlman

Question:

We bought 9 beautiful pieces at a garage sale. we do not the value or history of them, the 15 gallons have a crack on the side. we have them as a decoration. we love to know more about them.

Thanks you so much for your help.
Mark

Answer:

Mark,  your 3 gallon Red Wing crock was produced between 1909 & 1930.  Value in perfect condition is $60 to $70.  The 2 gallon Red Wing crock was produced between 1936 & 1947.  Value $40 to $50

The 3 crocks (2 with lids and one without a lid) and pitcher with a red wing are reproduction pieces.  No idea of value or history.

The 15 gallon with the large 6 inch wing was produce between 1909 & 1915.  Value is around $150 to $175.  The cracked 15 gallon Red Wing crock is a flower pot piece.  Maybe $30.

The churn with bird is a newer piece of pottery and not Red Wing.  No idea of value or history.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Hello!

Thanks for such a great website! I’m a newbie at
collecting Red Wing crocks. I’ve attached four crocks that I’ve recently bought
at estate sales/garage sales. I’ve read your website and learned about ski
ovals, birch leaves, etc.  Could you tell me a little more about the
crocks that I’ve bought, and their value. They are all in excellent condition,
without any cracks, lines, or chips…except for the ski oval which has one
minor chip on the rim.

Thanks for your help!

Linda

Answer:

Linda, your first crock is a 5 gallon Red Wing Drop 8 salt
glazed Red Wing crock.  It was produced between 1880 & 1895 or
so.  Value is between $300 & $350

The 2 gallon Red Wing birch leaf crock was produced between
1895 & 1909.  Value is around $60

2 gallon Red Wing with birch leaf and ski oval was produced
between 1895 & 1909.  Value  is around $60.  If the leaves
were fully printed, the value would be higher.

3 gallon Minnesota Stoneware Company Elephant ear crock was
produced between 1895 & 1906.  Value is between $70 & $90.
Al Kohlman

Question:

Good Evening Mr. Kohlman…My husband and I recently attended a country auction here in Virginia and came upon this beautiful 8 gallon Red Wing Cooler. The cooler is in excellent condition, no hairline cracks, original spigot intact and solid, both original handles, the top and a nice glaze covers the item. The top is the only part that has an issue, a broken piece out of the rim as seen in the picture. The markings on the front are crisp with the Red Wing sign and an oval at the bottom above the spigot with the Red Wing information inside. Could you please provide us with any information you can share about the date of the piece, the value of the piece, a sale price if we were to sell it and any other information you have on the piece.

Thank you for your time and any information you can share with us…Steve and Martha

Answer:

???

Steve & Martha, your Red Wing 8 gallon water cooler was produced between 1936 & 1947.  This was the newest version of the Red Wing water coolers.   The cooler itself in perfect condition and being a larger size than most found has a value in the area of $400 to $500.  The lid with the piece knocked out is valued around $50.  When folks were using these coolers a number the had taken a hammer and knocked out a small area for a ladle.   If the lid were perfect, it would have a value in the $500 range.  Hope this helps.  Al Kohlman

Question:

I was recently given my great grandmothers red wing ! gallon crock pot with lid.  It has not seen the light of day in 70 years.  My grandmother had it stored away in her home and then my mother.  No one has ever used it or displayed it. There are no chips in the pot and only a small hairline crack in in the handle of the lid.  My mother figures it circa 1910.  I have attached a picture of the lid and the crock.

Can you plea shed some light on the value of this piece?

Thank you,

Laurie

Answer:

Laurie, your grandmothers Red Wing one gallon crock is quite hard to find in perfect condition and with the larger 4 1/2 inch wing.  Value is between $400 & $450.  It’s lid with the hairline has a value around $50.   Nice little find for you!  Al Kohlman