Question

I am not sure if the Ask An Expert section is still a part of the site but will ask anyway.  This is a 5” tall Union Stoneware trade card in perfect condition. Any idea of the value? I can’t find another like it anywhere. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration. Steve

Answer:

Steve, I have seen these Red Wing advertising cards sell between $250 & $300.  They are a tough find in this condition.  Al Kohlman

Question

Hello Al, could you tell me something about this great 30 gal. crock? It is stamped Minnesota and is in great shape. Is it salt glazed? What would the value be.

Thanks again for all your help you give to people!!

Tim

Answer:

Tim, this looks like the 30 gallon double leaf Red Wing crock that sold this past weekend in Wisconsin.  It was produced by the Minnesota Stoneware Company between 1883 & 1895.  In absolutely perfect condition the value is between $8500 & $9000.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Hi,

I picked this 3 gallon leaf salt glaze crock up at an antique shop and wondering if this could be a North Star piece and today’s value. No hairlines, chips (even on handles) or cracks. Does have a slight narrow stain streak on the side.

Thanks! Jay

Answer:

Jay, your 3 gallon salt glazed upturned leaf crock looks to be North Star.  Value would be between $250 & $275.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Hello,

I have searched your website and learned a lot about the different stoneware and the history.  It’s been a journey.

I have a friend who has had a stroke and is asking me to help her liquidate her treasures.  I have attached photos of her 2 Gallon Redwing Churn that has a 4” Redwing with the Union stamp.  There are a couple of what I hope are the crazing cracks?  one outside and one inside.  There is no lid with this.  I could not find a churn close enough to this one to assign a sale value. Thank you and keep up the great public service you all provide.

Laurie

Answer:

Laurie, your Red Wing butter churn with the large spider crack in the side would have a value in the area of $50 to $75.   Collectors are looking for perfect pieces and with the spider and the spider in the front, the value just falls when there are a number of prefect 2 gallon churns out there for sale that are perfect.   Still a cute churn.  Al Kohlman

Question:

How much is this worth cracked on bottom repaired with silicone

Answer:

The crack on the bottom of your 15 gallon Red Wing crock is major as far as value goes.  Collectors today are looking for perfect pieces and what you have here is really a garage sale crock.  With the crack, the value is $30 to $40 at best.   Al Kohlman

Question:

Hi

I recently came across this crock at an estate sale It has the 4 1/2 inch wing and is in near perfect condition with the exception of a  tiny base chip about 1/4″ wide by 1/2″ The rest of it is in perfect condition It came with a lid that has a button knob marked with a 1 I know its a Red Wing crock, but is the lid authentic?

Thanks

Frank

Answer:

Frank, your Red Wing one gallon crock has a value between $350 & $400. Thankfully the chip is really small or the value would have dropped to half.  The lid in not a Red Wing lid and therefore has no value.   Nice looking piece with a excellent applied red wing.   Al Kohlman

Question:

Al,

I have a one gallon large wing crock similar to one you commented on earlier in April.  My crock however is slightly out of round at the lip…about 3/8 wider on one axis than the other. Would that affect the value? I also see some short brown lines inside that could? be cracks, but since they are only 1 or 2 inches long and don’t appear on the exterior, I’m tempted to think they are firing flaws? How about other production flaws like pops and ripples, are they a factor? Forgive me, I really know nothing about crocks and how to grade them. I’ve sold this one twice on ebay for $500, both times to people that never intended to pay. Just want to know a fair price and description.

Thanks!

Mike

Answer:

Mike, your Red Wing 1 gallon crock with the 4 inch wing looks quite nice. From the photo, those short brown lines are from the potter when he was smoothing the clay.  These do not affect the value.  3/8″ out of round will haved miminual price affect.  Air pops depending on how large and where they are at can have an affect on price.  Appearance, detail & darkness all affect value.  From what I can see here, yours has a value between $400 & $425.  Hope this is helpful.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Hi,

I purchased this crock this morning at a garage sale in Stockton, California. I would like to know how old it is and its value. Can you help?

Warren

Answer:

Warren, you have a 10 gallon drop 8 with quotation side stamped Red Wing Stoneware salt glazed crock.  It was produced between 1877 & 1895.  The decoration is light and with the crack in the back the value is around $500.   Al Kohlman

Question:

Hi

I have this John H Rich sewer pipe as you can see the stamping is upside down please advise value Thanks Roger

Answer:

Roger, your John Rich Red Wing Sewer pipe has a value between $300 & $350.  Nice piece.  Al Kohlman

Question:

I have a Red Wing leaf 5 gallon butter churn complete with wooden dasher – all in mint condition.  The churn itself stands 18″ and the dasher (when in crock) is another 24″ above top of crock.  Can you please give me some idea of the value of this piece.  Thank you Linda

Answer:

Linda, your Red Wing 5 gallon birch leaf churn in perfect condition with the lid today, the value is in the neighborhood of $175 to $225.  Al Kohlman