Question:
I have 2 crocks that belonged to my Grandmother, I am 64, so you now know how old these are. The 15 gallon one has no cracks, 1 small chip on top of rim, can’t see it to well in picture. The 12 gallon one has 1 crack about 4" long from the top, as seen in the picture. Could you tell me when these were made, and the current value. Thanks Joan

Answer: Joan, let’s start with your 12 gallon. Your 12 gallon is called a transition crock.This is do the hand drawn number 12 from the salt glazed era and then the stamped elephant ear leaves on a zinc glazed crock. This 12 gallon crock was made by the Minnesota Stoneware Company and is a very early zinc glazed crock produced around 1895 or so. With the 4 inch long hairline and no oval the value is right around $500. Your 15 gallon Red Wing crock is also quite early, 1909 to 1912 as it has the first Red Wing "ski "oval. Value in perfect condition is $250 to $300. Two very nice pieces of Red wing. Al Kohlman