Question:

I recently bought this light brown cream and sugar that looks identical to the dark brown set of village brown/green that I already owned.  These pieces have the same weight, and size of the pieces I already had, and the color of the interior glazes seem identical, but I cannot find any information about a light brown color being used on the outside of these patterns.  Do you have any insight to offer, or are these pieces possibly hobby pieces?

Thanks for your help

Ronald

Answer:

The creamer and sugar bowl with the tan exteriors were made by Red Wing in the Village Green shape. They are from a limited production run that substituted light brown or tan color in place of the dark brown found on Village Green items. No company documentation has been found and the official name of this design (if any) is unknown. Collectors refer to it as Wheat or Sand. An interview with a former Red Wing Potteries employee published in the RWCS Newsletter stated that only a few sets of “Village Wheat” were made. The concept was dropped due to lack of interest was never put into full production. Known items made with Wheat colors include 4 and 10 cup pitchers, teapot, salt & pepper shakers, creamer & sugar bowl, 6” salad bowl, large salad bowl, beverage mug, beverage server (coffee pot), handled marmite, casseroles, divided vegetable dish and large warmer stand. The interview also mentioned that 4 or 5 Wheat water coolers were made but to my knowledge none have been found.

I would estimate the value of this Wheat creamer and covered sugar bowl to be $50 to $75 each if they are in mint condition.

Larry

Question:

What are thiese pieces worth? I am not sure the cup is Red Wing.

Answer:

The cup was not made by Red Wing. The 5 section nut or relish dish and the 12” salad bowl in beige fleck glaze sold well back in the day and are very easy to find today. They are not part of a specific dinnerware pattern but were sold as gift items that blend well with a wide variety of patterns. Each is worth $15-20 in excellent condition. Larry

Question:

I was told that all these pieces are Red Wing, the cream and sugar are marked and I believe they are the snack set from the Gypsy Trail line, but the salt + pepper are not marked at all and I have doubts they are RW.  Can you verify for me please.  Thanks

Richard

Answer:

The blue creamer and sugar are from the Gypsy Trail line. A Gypsy Trail brochure from the late 1930s includes this set with the Plain pattern. They are often called the “snack” creamer and sugar, probably due to their small size and to differentiate them from another creamer and sugar set in the Plain pattern. This set is quite common and is readily available today. Value for a blue set in mint condition would be $25-30.

The mushroom-shaped salt & pepper shakers are indeed Red Wing. They are from the Bakeware pattern, or Oomph as it is more commonly known. Bakeware was produced during the World War II years. If you look carefully you may find these shakers bottom marked with “RW”. Some are marked, others are not. Value for these shakers would be $20-25 if they are in excellent condition.

Larry

Question:

would like to know value of my prized red wing iris pieces  I have 4 coffee cup in mulberry and a spoon rest   thank you  dan

Answer:

Iris spoon rests are not common.  Value would be $75 to $100 if it is in mint condition.  Unfortunately the ridges on these spoon rests chipped easily, and most of them found today have at least a few chips.  Any damage will reduce the value by 25 to 75% depending on the extent and visibility of the damage. 

Your cup and saucer sets are worth Cup & saucer: $10-15 

Larry

Question:

Hi,

Can you tell me anything about these plates and the value of the set of three?  They are 8″ across and 10″ at the handles.  The only marks are “Red Wing USA”.  Two are in great condition with factory flaws in glaze?  The third has the same discolorization and a small chip on the rim.  Thanks.

Richard

Answer:

The items in the photos were sold as Village Green casserole stands, although they could certainly be used as plates.  Stands were made in 8, 10 and 12 inch sizes to hold 1, 2 and 4 quart Village Green casseroles.   Value for these 8 inch stands would be $25-30 each in mint condition.  Damage or manufacturing flaws will reduce the value by 25-75% depending on the extent and visibility of the flaw. 

Larry

Question:

Hi, I just got some Red Wing dinnerware (not sure what pattern, stamped Red Wing 120) from my mother. How do I know if it’s safe to eat off of? Do these have incredibly high lead content? Love the look of it. Just not sure it’s safe.

It came with a coffee cup and salt and pepper set in a different pattern, a sort of basket weave that has some weird grey staining inside, which looks like a red flag telling me not to eat or drink anything from it.

Thanks!

Marla

Answer:

I am not an expert on the chemical composition of Red Wing dinnerware but it’s my understanding most Red Wing glazes contained lead.  Intact pieces with no chips, cracks or stains should be safe to use.  Damage, including tiny surface cracks or crazing, indicates the glaze is not intact and chemicals could potentially leak out.  Avoid using damaged pieces to serve food.

Larry

Question:

Hello.  I’ve just received some plates & bowls that are redwing capistrano.  They are an unusual “retro” style.  I really like them, and I plan to use them.  Can they go into the microwave?  Can they go into the dishwasher?

Thanks for your help!

Linda

Answer:

Can Capistrano dinnerware be safely used with microwaves and dishwashers?  The best answer I can give is “probably”. Over the years nearly all of Red Wing’s promotional literature for their dinnerware states it is “Oven Proof”. In the late 1950s “Detergent Safe” was added to the brochures. But dishwashers and microwaves were not common household appliances at this time, and the brochures do not mention using Red Wing dinnerware in them. I’m not aware of any organized effort to study this issue, so trial and error is the only real way to verify whether or not your dishes can safely be used in these appliances.

While I have no experience with Capistrano or its sister patterns in the dishwasher, my family did routinely wash a later pattern (Charstone Bleu) in our dishwasher for nearly 20 years with no ill effect. If the dishes are intact — no chips or cracks — they should be safe to use in a dishwasher. You might want to run one or two pieces through the wash cycle a couple of times as a test before trying it with the full set. You might also want to consider buying a couple of inexpensive pieces for such a test.

I really can’t recommend using Capistrano dinnerware in a microwave.  Keep in mind these dishes are 50 to 60 years old.  They probably have normal wear and tear from years of use.  Plates and bowls likely have tiny scratches in the surface of the glaze. If the dishes have been stored away unused for all these years then perhaps it would be OK.  But even so it’s worth remembering that Capistrano was not made to “microwave safe” standards since they didn’t exist at the time. In my opinion it would be better to use a modern dish to heat the food in the microwave, then transfer the food to your Capistrano dishes before serving.

Larry

Question:

Hi!
 
I’m looking for a little more information on a pale green Red Wing apple cookie jar that I found recently.  I went through all the archived questions and found lots of helpful information regarding other cookie jars in the series and the apple marmalade pieces but not on this specific piece.  I found an estimated value of $200+ in Warman’s Red Wing Pottery book but know that the condition dictates that price.  It’s in decent condition but does show crazing and dark spots in the glaze.  There is one small chip on the inside rim of the lid.  Attached you’ll find pictures of my piece.  I’ve read it was part of the Gypsy Trail Hostess line and was made during the late 30s.  Any other information/value you could offer would be greatly appreciated! 
 
Thank you,
Jamie

Answer:

Red Wing introduced a wide variety of fruit-shaped items as part of its Gypsy Trail Hostess Ware line in 1940.  Production continued through 1943. Cookie jars were made in the shape of an apple, pear, pineapple, bunch of bananas, cluster of grapes and even a cabbage.  Colors available over the years were orange, blue, yellow, turquoise, pink, green and cream ivory. The $200 value stated by Warman is no longer valid, and in my opinion was overstated.  Current value for a green apple cookie jar in mint condition would be half that amount, around $100.  The jar in the photos looks to be in good condition but crazing, stains and the chip will reduce the value.  It’s impossible to assess damage from a photo, but I’d guess the value of this cookie jar would be reduced by 25 to 50%.

Larry

Question:

Hi,

I am writing you to find out about the availability of a Red Wing terra cotta bean pot. My husband recently broke broke my mom’s bean pot. I know it was over 50 years old. My mom used it for every family gathering and I too used it frequently. I foolishly ordered one from Ebay and it is too small. What is the biggest size made and are they difficult to come by? My bean pot is a family tradition and I would like it to continue.

Thank you for your time.

Carol

Answer:

I think you seek a Provincial Cooking Ware bean pot, but from your email, most likely it is a stock pot, which is very similar to a bean pot but with somewhat straighter sides.  Here are the available sizes and the two digit number this is stamped on the side of each them.  All of these items came with a cover.

Deep Casserole:
2 qt        #10
2.5 qt     #11
3 qt        #12
4 qt        #13
5 qt        #16

Bean Pot:
1 qt          #27
1.25 qt     #21 

Stock Pot:
2 qt        #28
4 qt        #29
6 qt        #30

Larry

Question:

hello. my name is Deb Bash. this is a Redwing set my grandmother had and never used. probably from the 1940’s. do you have any information?  The set has the tureen and 8 soup bowls with lids, all in perfect condition. 

Deb

Answer:

The photo shows items from the Orleans dinnerware pattern, which was made from 1941 to 1950. The large item is a covered casserole.  The other items are cream soup bowls. These were available either with or without a cover. The covered casserole is worth $50 to 60. The cream soups are worth $35 to 45 each with a cover or $10 to 15 each without a cover. 

All values assume excellent condition.

Larry