Red Wing, MN – The Red Wing Collectors Society inducted RWCS Member Ray Reiss into their membership Hall of Fame on Friday, July 13 during their Annual Business Meeting.
Reiss was introducted as the 2018 RWCS Hall of Fame by Wayne Bell a fellow collector. Wayne shared his thoughts about Reiss and his contribution to Red Wing collectors everywhere. The Hall of Fame Plaque states:
Ray Reiss – 2018
Ray Reiss of Chicago, Illinois, Red Wing Collectors Society Member #5996, has made significant contributions to the Red Wing Collectors Society. Ray is hereby inducted into the Red Wing Collectors Society Hall of Fame this 13th day of July, 2018 in recognition of these lifetime achievements:
- Joined the Red Wing Collectors Society in June 1977
- Charter Member Red Wing Collectors Society
- Passionate collector, student and researcher of Red Wing clay products for more than 30 years
- Presented educational seminars at RWCS Conventions for many years
- Authored, photographed & published Red Wing Art Pottery and Red Wing Art Pottery Two
- Authored, photographed & published Red Wing Dinnerware Price and Identification Guide
Ray’s tedious research and passionate interest in Red Wing greatly contributed to the surge in collecting art pottery in the 1990’s. He produced two wonderful coffee table style books, Red Wing Art Pottery and Red Wing Art Pottery Two, that exemplified his exceptional photography skills. Ray did a massive amount of research, engaging many in the Red Wing collector community and past employees of the Red Wing Potteries who shared valuable knowledge and included this information in those books. Red Wing Dinnerware Price and Identification Guide, an additional booklet, included his beautiful photographs of individual pieces of dinnerware. This work was very well organized and provided updated information and price references for Red Wing dinnerware items.
Ray’s work created and encouraged widespread interest in collecting Red Wing art pottery and dinnerware items and most certainly brought new collectors to the RWCS. His passions for collecting and for sharing his extensive research have benefitted countless collectors.
The Red Wing Collectors Society is delighted to welcome Ray Reiss into the RWCS Hall of Fame.