The 2005 Red Wing Collectors Society Commemorative is a replica of a Red Wing Perfection Syrup Jar produced in the 1920’s and 1930’s.  These jars came in three distinctive models: Self Draining Jar with straight sides and concave bottom; Self draining jar in the shape of a water cooler in 5 and 10 gallon sizes only; and the most common type being a standard jar with a flat bottom with a 1 ¼ inch opening in the front.

These self draining jars can be commonly found with wings, logos, advertising and stamped markings that included the phrases; "Perfection Sanitary Self Draining Jar", “Red Wing Self Draining Jar", and "Perfection Self Draining Jar”.  Most jars included the size of the jar stamped on the outside. An example with birch leaves has also been found.

Standard bottom jars could be ordered with special size openings to allow connections for pipe, hose and faucet.  All the jars were advertised as being of extra strength, vitrified stoneware body, with a heavy acid-proof, nom-absorbent glaze.  The self draining jars were used for practically any mixture or preparation and would not foul or taint the product.  The jars were used in home, farm, industrial and business applications. Jars have been found that were used in cheese plants, service stations, bakeries and maple syrup operations. Jars as large as 100 gallons were reported to have been used in ammunition productions.

According to the February 15, 1928 revised Price List; jars were available in the three types in 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30,40, 50 and 60 gallon sizes.  A standard bottom syrup jar was listed as having two 1 ¼ inch openings. They could be ordered with fixtures to allow introduction of a water line connected to float through the top opening to continuously feed water to the jar.  Standard lids fit all the jars except the 5 and 10 gallon sizes which used a water cooler lid.

The 2005 Commemorative is a model of the self draining jar which came with bailed handles, in the shape of a water cooler with an opening in the bottom.  These jars generally included bailed handles and decorated with a wing, logo, blue bands and the size indicated on the outside.  The 2005 Special Commemorative is a larger version of the regular Commemorative. Both Commemoratives were produced by Western Stoneware in Monmouth, Illinois.

(Reprinted from the insert placed in each Commemorative)