RED WING, MN. – Held in February, the Red Wing Collectors Society’s (RWCS) Annual MidWinter GetTogether saw a 24 percent jump in attendance over last year’s event and its highest attendance since 2010.

“We were really pleased with the turnout, especially considering this is the first time the event was held in a new location after being in Des Moines for the past 14 years,” says RWCS President Larry Birks. “We also saw many new faces at the event, which is great news for our club.”

Held Feb. 6-8 at the Olympia Resort & Conference Center in Oconomowoc, Wis., about 325 Red Wing collectors attended from across the country to buy, sell, learn and network with fellow pottery and stoneware collectors. Highlights of the event included collectors selling out of their hotel rooms, educational presentations, a formal Show & Sale and a “Friday Night Lights” reception where attendees dressed in their favorite professional, college or high school football team’s apparel.

A major focus of the event, educational sessions included keynote presentations on RWCS technology by RWCS Vice President Paul Wichert and creating an endowment fund for the Pottery Museum of Red Wing by RWCS Member Stan Lueck. RWCS Historian Nancy Lambert discussed the process she went through when a creating a book about the advertising stoneware Red Wing made for businesses located in Kansas and Missouri.

Longtime MidWinter speakers and RWCS Hall of Fame members Steve Showers and Dennis Nygaard presented their findings from digging in Red Wing’s pottery dumps last year. Dinnerware experts Larry Roschen and Terry Moe, who are also RWCS Hall of Fame members, discussed Red Wing dinnerware. Mark Wiseman spoke about the Iowa potteries that operated in Des Moines, Boone and Warren counties. In addition, new RWCS KidsView education program chairperson Linda Wipperling hosted activities that informed younger collectors about the different pieces Red Wing made for professional and college sports teams, such as the Little Brown Jug trophy that is awarded to the winner of every Minnesota/Michigan college football game.

In addition, Houghton Auction Service held an auction during the event on Saturday, Feb. 7. The proceeds of more than $10,000 benefited the new Pottery Museum of Red Wing, which opened in Red Wing, MN last summer. It boasts the largest collection of Red Wing pottery and stoneware on public display in existence and is a perfect summer destination, whether you’re visiting the city of Red Wing on your own or as part of a large group. Visit www.potterymuseumredwing.org for more information about the museum.

The RWCS is devoted to those who collect a diverse line of crocks, jugs, churns, dinnerware and art pottery manufactured in Red Wing from the 1880s to 1960s. The MidWinter GetTogether was a precursor to the RWCS National Convention slated for July 9-11 in Red Wing. These two events serve as great opportunities for members to connect, renew friendships and learn about the history of the potteries that once operated in Red Wing, their diverse production lines and the impact they had on the American pottery industry.

Annual membership in the Red Wing Collectors Society costs only $35 and includes six 16-page full-color newsletters mailed to your home throughout the year. The Red Wing Collectors Society was founded in Red Wing in 1977 and is devoted to educating people about all American pottery. There are more than 3,300 members worldwide. For more information or to become a member, call the RWCS business office at 800-977-7927, e-mail membership@redwingcollectors.org or log on to www.redwingcollectors.org. You can also join the RWCS on Facebook and follow it on Twitter at twitter.com/RWpottery.

Photo caption:

Every year, a variety of rare and unexpected treasures show up for sale at the Red Wing Collectors Society’s MidWinter GetTogether. From primitive stoneware made as early as the 1870s to art pottery and dinnerware made from the 1930s to 1960s, these photos show a sampling of the goodies two dealers had for sale at last year’s affair. This year’s event will occur on the weekend of Feb. 6-8 at the Olympia Resort & Conference Center, 1350 Royal Mile Rd. in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Most dealers will start selling from their hotel rooms starting on Thursday, Feb. 5; the official Red Wing Show & Sale will take place in Olympia’s ballroom from 1:00 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7.

Red Wing MN -RWCS Member Bruce Selfridge regretfully informed the RWCS Board of Directors in February that he had to step down from his position as RWCS Auction Manager due to several personal obligations that are consuming his time right now. We’ll miss Bruce’s involvement and we thank him for his dedication to the RWCS. Thankfully he has offered to continue volunteering during the event itself.

A brief search for a replacement yielded Scott Hardman, a member of the Golden State Red Wing Chapter who enthusiastically said he would enjoy taking on the auction manager role provided someone would be able to provide tech support to assist with spreadsheet work, etc. Luke Wegner (husband of RWCS Executive Director Stacy Wegner) was already helping with the auction and said he’d be happy to work with Scott and handle the computer end of the job.

A retired detective from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office in California, Scott now serves as a private investigator. His love for Red Wing started in high school when he bought a 5 gallon crock with a 6-inch wing and “ski” oval at an antique show. He was only 15 years old! Years later he learned about the RWCS and he and his wife Genise joined in 1996. They have two children – Kristina & Cody. Please welcome Scott as your new RWCS Auction Manager.

The submission process will remain the same only submission forms may now be sent to the RWCS office below. If you have already submitted your form to Bruce Selfridge; he will forward it along to Scott Hardman.

Red Wing Collectors Society – auction submission
240 Harrison St. Unit 3
Red Wing MN 55066

If you are planning to provide a photo of your submission please email those to director@redwingcollectors.org with your name and membership number.

To reach Scott Hardman you can email him at auction@redwingcollectors.org or call 209-602-1461.

RED WING COLLECTORS TO GATHER IN WISCONSIN, FEB. 6-8

RED WING, MN. – Collectors of Red Wing stoneware and pottery might find a new centerpiece for their collection if they come out to the Red Wing Collectors Society’s (RWCS) Annual MidWinter GetTogether at the Olympia Resort & Conference Center in Oconomowoc, Wis. from Feb. 6-8.

The big news this year is that the event is moving to Wisconsin after being held in Iowa for the past 14 years.

“We’re excited about the move to Oconomowoc because we expect it will attract a large group of collectors who have never attended the MidWinter event before,” says Stacy Wegner, RWCS executive director. “Wisconsin also has the most RWCS members living in it outside of Minnesota, so we’re hoping to see a larger attendance this year.”

The RWCS is devoted to those who collect a diverse line of crocks, jugs, churns, dinnerware and art pottery manufactured in Red Wing from the 1880s to 1960s. Hundreds of people from around the country are expected to attend the February event, which will help tie collectors over until the next RWCS National Convention in Red Wing in July. These two events serve as great opportunities for members to connect over Red Wing and learn about the history of the potteries that once operated in Red Wing, their diverse production lines and the impact they had on the American pottery industry.

As with any large antique event, the opportunity to buy and sell is top of mind for collectors and dealers. In this case, the RWCS MidWinter GetTogether never disappoints. Many attendees will prop open their doors and sell Red Wing wares from their hotel rooms during the weekend – some starting as early as the night of Wednesday, Feb. 4. A formal Show & Sale will run from 1:00 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7 followed by an auction at 5 p.m. – both of which are open to the public. Auction proceeds will benefit the Pottery Museum of Red Wing and more information can be found at www.houghtonauctions.com or the classifieds section at www.redwingcollectors.org. Whether you’re new to collecting Red Wing or an experienced collector, anyone and everyone is invited to attend this fun event and find a new piece for their collection.

The MidWinter GetTogether also includes a number of other organized activities like a “Friday Night Lights” reception featuring food, prizes and fun from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6. The theme of this year’s event is “The Big Game”. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite football team’s apparel to take part in the fun, whether their favorite is from the professional, college or high school ranks.

Education is also a major focus of the event. Highlighting this year will be keynote presentations from RWCS Vice President Paul Wichert and RWCS Foundation Board Member Stan Lueck. Wichert will present “RWCS Technology & How to Use it” and Lueck will speak about creating the RWCS Foundation Endowment Fund to keep the Pottery Museum of Red Wing running strong for future generations.

New this year, RWCS Historian Nancy Lambert will talk about the process she went through when creating the Kansas/Missouri Red Wing advertising book. Longtime MidWinter speakers and RWCS Hall of Fame members Steve Showers and Dennis Nygaard will give separate presentations on their findings from digging in the pottery dumps this year. Dinnerware experts Larry Roschen and Terry Moe, who are also RWCS Hall of Fame members, will discuss Red Wing dinnerware. Curious about how things are going at the new museum in Red Wing, Minnesota? Members of the RWCS Foundation Board will hold a Q & A session to answer your questions. And as a carryover from the  past location in Iowa, Mark Wiseman will speak about the potteries that operated in Des Moines, Boone and Warren counties. In addition, new RWCS KidsView education program chairperson Linda Wipperling will keep with “The Big Game” theme and feature activities that will teach younger collectors about the different pieces Red Wing made for professional and college sports teams, such as the Little Brown Jug trophy that is awarded to the winner of every Minnesota/Michigan college football game.

All activities will be held at the Olympia Resort & Conference Center, 1350 Royal Mile Rd. in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, which is off I-94 just 30 minutes west of Milwaukee. Visit www.redwingcollectors.org to register or learn more about the MidWinter GetTogether, or the annual Red Wing Collectors Society Summer Convention, which is slated for July 9-11 in Red Wing.

The RWCS MidWinter GetTogether is one of three different antique shows that will have quality Red Wing and vintage advertising for sale in Wisconsin’s Waukesha County on the weekend of Feb 6-8. Featuring more than 55 quality dealers, the 64th Annual Winter Wisconsin Antiques Dealers Association Show is slated for 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Waukesha County Expo Center Forum Building, 1000 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI 53188. Call 414-510-4441 or visit www.wisconsinantiquedealers.com for more information.

In addition, 150 sales tables will be set up at the 43rd Annual Milwaukee Antique Bottle and Advertising Show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 at the Country Springs Hotel, 2810 Golf Road, Pewaukee, WI 53072. Contact David Kapsos at 608-838-8041 or bottleshow@charter.net for info. Gas prices are down, so don’t miss this unique opportunity to hunt for new pieces or sell your inventory at these great events!

Annual membership in the Red Wing Collectors Society costs only $35 and includes six 16-page full-color newsletters mailed to your home throughout the year. The Red Wing Collectors Society was founded in 1977 in Red Wing, Minn. and is devoted to educating people about all American pottery. There are more than 4,000 members worldwide. The Red Wing Potteries had diverse pottery lines that included stoneware, dinnerware and art pottery. For more information or to become a member, call the RWCS business office at 800-977-7927, e-mail membership@redwingcollectors.org or log on to www.redwingcollectors.org. You can also join the RWCS on Facebook and follow it on Twitter at twitter.com/RWpottery.

Give to the Max Day is TODAY and will be Pottery Museum of Red Wing’s fourth year participating. This day is a very important event in our fundraising efforts. We really need to reach our goal of $25,000, so will you PLEASE help us by clicking on the Give MN logo above as it will take you to our donation page.

This year we have two matching donations totaling $11,000.  RWCS Foundation board members have pledged $6,000 and the RWCS, Inc. has pledged $5,000.  If we raise $11,000 in donations we will gain another $11,000 in matching funds. If everyone could just give $20, $50, $100 or more then we would be well on our way to reaching our goal of $25,000.

Your museum has become a true destination to visit. We have been featured in the New York Times, USA Today, and many visitor tabloids and newspapers. Check us out on Facebook for all updates on that day.

Best regards,

Robin Wipperling
Museum Manager
Pottery Museum of Red Wing
240 Harrison Street
Red Wing, MN 55066

Phone: (651)-327-2220

Website: www.potterymuseumredwing.org

PDF Download Link

PDF DOWNLOAD 2014 WINNERS

Convention Buttons Still Available!

A limited inventory of RWCS Convention buttons remains available for purchase from the RWCS Badger Chapter. Designed by Badger Chapter Members Barb Williams, Paul Wichert and Doug Saubert, the stoneware buttons were made by the Red Wing  Stoneware Co. and are formed in the shape of a jug. While they were made in salt  glaze and zinc glaze, only zinc glaze remain. Each button was hand-made, so each is unique and has its own charm, imperfections, etc. Buttons are $5 each and postage is $2.50 for one button, $3 for two and $3.50 for three. Order yours today by sending your name, address and a check made payable to the RWCS Badger Chapter, PO Box 170,  Cedarburg, WI 53012. For more information, contact Badger Chapter Treasurer Diana Bailey at dbailey45@wi.rr.com (misprint email address in newsletter dbailey@wi.rr.com) or 414-303-2691.

Red Wing, MN? In most years, reporting that a 70 gallon Red Wing jug sold for $17,000 at the Red Wing Collectors Society (RWCS) Auction would be big news in itself. But pair that with the grand opening of the new Pottery Museum of Red Wing, and you have one of the most memorable RWCS Conventions ever.

Much to the enjoyment of more than 400 attendees, the RWCS Foundation proudly opened the doors to the new Pottery Museum on Wednesday, July 8 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and fundraising event. The 13,000 sq. ft. facility, which is located in the Pottery Place Annex building at 240 Harrison St. in Red Wing, has more than 6,000 pieces of Red Wing stoneware and pottery on display – largely in thanks to the donation of longtime RWCS member Louise Schleich and her late husband, Jerry. The couple created a museum to display their collection in Lincoln, Neb. many years ago, but it was always their intention to move the collection to Red Wing once a permanent, adequately sized location could be acquired.

The 38^th Annual RWCS Convention officially kicked off the next day, with the Schleich Family presenting the keynote address at Red Wing High School. They discussed their longtime passion for collecting and the process of moving the collection back to where it was made.

This year’s Convention brought nearly 1,500 visitors to the city of Red Wing during the week of July 7 to buy, sell and learn more about the many lines of Red Wing stoneware, art pottery and dinnerware. This year’s event was sponsored by Red Wing Stoneware, Red Wing Pottery, Larry’s Jugs Antiques and other local businesses.

Events throughout the week included the annual business meeting, a “Crock Hunt” scavenger hunt around the historic Mississippi River town, and the always anticipated Saturday Show & Sale. There was also a special display room at Red Wing High School, where members created their own unique displays for the education and enjoyment of attendees, combined with some fun and creative competition. Members bought and sold items throughout the week in the parking lot at Pottery Place Mall. About 200 volunteers helped make this year’s Convention a success.

As mentioned earlier, the “big” news from the always anticipated RWCS Convention Auction was that a 70 gallon shoulder jug sold for $17,000. The jug, which had been restored, is one of only three that the Red Wing Stoneware Co. made for the 1923 Minnesota State Fair. Only one other of these jugs is known to have survived, and it is now part of the Pottery Museum’s collection; it was one of the pieces donated by the Schleich Family.

Other items of interest in this year’s auction, which was operated by Houghton’s Auction Service, included a 4 gallon salt glaze crock with triple target decoration (hairline), $5,000; a 4 gallon North Star salt glaze water cooler with upturned leaf (mint), $2,000 and a mint “Minne-ha-ha Brand” advertising crock, $1,900; Two 1977 (first-year) RWCS Commemoratives sold for $1,150 and $1,050, respectively.”

Notable art pottery items included a blue/green #687 Chromoline vase, $650, and an M3016 Decorator Line vase in silver green glaze, $400. Top dinnerware lots included two sample Red Wing dinnerware plates. One that was likely made for Sheraton Hotels in the 1960s sold for $525, while another with the Turtle Dove pattern sold for $340. The auction, which consisted of about 190 items, brought in nearly $78,000 in total sales.

The year’s commemorative, which could be purchased only by RWCS members, was a Red Wing Success Filter. Two limited-edition commemoratives were also produced. These were mixed in with the regular commemoratives and all commemoratives were packaged in sealed boxes, so a small number of members were fortunate enough to get one. Of all the Commemorative Success Filters that were made, 90 percent were zinc glaze with a red wing, 9 percent were salt glaze and 38 were blue-sponged. RWCS Commemorative Manager Bob Morawski also had several special items made that were auctioned off to benefit the Society.

Attendees had a good selection of topics to learn about during the educational sessions held on July 11, including an orientation for first timers, Red Wing zinc glaze, recent finds from the old pottery dump, Red Wing dinnerware, kiln building, insuring your collection, history of Iowa’s Eldora Potteries  and creating the 2013 RWCS Commemorative. Local potter Richard Spiller held hands-on pottery classes for adults, and the RWCS Foundation held an info session on all the happenings at the new Pottery Museum.

In recognition for all the research they have performed and knowledge they have shared on Red Wing’s many lines of dinnerware, longtime friends and RWCS Members Larry Roschen and Terry Moe were inducted into the RWCS Hall of Fame later that afternoon during the Annual Business Meeting. In addition, it was announced that the following members were elected to the RWCS Board of Directors: Larry Birks (President), Paul Wichert (Vice President) Dan Beck (Treasurer) Nancy Lambert (Historian) and Jerry Mounts (Rep. at Large). Re-elected to the Board were John Sagat (Secretary) and Russa Robinson (Rep. at Large). Following the meeting, the 3^nd annual Crock Fest celebration featuring food vendors and music by Generation was held at Red Wing’s Central Park later that day. It was sponsored by Red Wing Stoneware and Red Wing Pottery.

Another unique aspect of the RWCS Convention was the participation of the younger generation through the KidsView program. The Society is on the leading edge of creating engaging and educational ways to get the younger generations involved in collecting. The focus on these RWCS members is an important part of the vision of the Society to ensure its continued existence and growth. Many interactive and challenging activities and seminars were offered for children of all ages. Former Red Wing Potteries employee Marion Bjorklund told the kids about her time working as a plate painter, and Emily Nelson (Red Wing Art Reach) and Susan Obermeyer (Northern Clay Center) lead the kids in hands-on art projects and pottery creations.

Young Red Wing collectors ages 13 to 20 participated in the Young Collectors Club at Convention. Activities included a hands-on pottery wheel opportunity led by RWCS Members Frank Sheldon and Mike Robinson, and a hike up Red Wing’s famed Barn Bluff. Young Collectors Club creator and chairperson Wendy Callicoat announced the during the Annual Business Meeting that she was stepping down from her role. The RWCS is now in search of members to lead KidsView and Young Collectors.

The next official RWCS event will be the annual MidWinter GetTogether, which will be held at the Olympia Resort and Spa in Oconomowoc, Wis., February 6-8, 2015. This will be the first time the event is held in Wisconsin after a long stint in Iowa. To make lodging reservations, contact the Olympia Resort at 800-558-9573. Registration for the MidWinter event will open in October and can be done online at the RWCS website or by phone or mail.

The Red Wing Collectors Society was founded in 1977 in Red Wing, Minn. and is devoted to educating people about all American pottery. There are about 4,000 members worldwide. The Red Wing Potteries had diverse pottery lines that included stoneware, dinnerware and art pottery. For more information or to become a member, call the RWCS business office at 800-977-7927, e-mail director@redwingcollectors.org or log on to www.RedWingCollectors.org. Find the RWCS on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Red Wing, MN – The 2014 Red Wing Collectors Society Commemoratives started shipping Friday, August 15th, and will be shipping in small groups through Tuesday, August 26th via US Postal Service Priority Mail.

Members who ordered a commemorative should receive their piece by September 2nd.