Question:
I am wondering what the value is of a five gallon jug that has a blue Purex label with the address of the Purex Co. in it, and the Red wing logo is not a wing but in a blue oval. The jug is light colored on the bottom and brown cone shaped on the top part. My description isn’t too good, but maybe you will have an idea what I’m talking about. Thanks so much. Nell

Answer:
Nell, Your Red Wing Potteries jug has the purex label printed in an octagon style outline. I do see a fair number of these advertising jugs come up for sale. They range from $225 to $300 depending on condition and how nice, dark and clear the advertising is. Al Kohlman

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I would like to know what this Union Stoneware Fruit Jar is worth? It has an inscription on the bottom that indicates it was made in the late 1800s. Florence

Answer:
Florence, Red Wing manufactured these stoneware fruit jars in the 1 gallon, 1/2 gallon & 1 quart size. Yours looks to be the 1 quart. Many of these fruit jars were incised with a Patent dated Jan. 24, 1899 on their bottoms. The stamps on the front were either in Blue ink or Black. Blue seams to be more desired by collectors. After looking at the photo, I cannot tell if it is blue ink or black on the front of your fruit jar. Either way, you have a nice piece of Red Wing. It is valued somewhere between $225 & $275. Thanks Al.

Question:
I have a crock with the number 2 and a redwing. I am interested in knowing how much it is worth. Someone would like to have it and I am not sure what it’s worth. Thanks for your time, Michele

Answer:
Michele, without seeing a photo of your crock or additional information, it is hard for me to give you a fairly close value on your crock. example: Does your crock have an oval? Is the wing 2" long or 4" long? Are there chips or cracks? Therefore, I will do my best to help you out. If your crock has no chips or cracks, the average 2 gallon crock ranges from $30 to $50. Hope this helps, Al

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It is an unmarked churn 14 1/4" tall X 8" wide. It has an incised line around the upper portion of the crock. The cobalt is in pretty good condition with only minimal ‘fry’ . It does appear to have two spots (one in the picture) that have been filled in, perhaps chips? There are no cracks at all on this piece. It is dirty. I do believe it is a Red Wing. I would like to find out it’s rarity and value. I understand from my research that it is an early piece? Thank you for your time and consideration! Respectfully, Julie

Answer:
Julie, you have an early Red Wing salt glaze 3 gallon butter churn with a leaf. This churn was manufactured somewhere between 1878 & 1895. The spot on the front which you refer to as be filled in is where another piece of stoneware or clay had touch this piece during the firing process. Your churn is very collectible among us Red Wing salt glaze collectors. Without seeing the piece up close, I would place the value of your churn between $1000 & 1500. Al Kohlman

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I bought this 5 gal crock in early eighties. I was told it was a first issue, whatever that might be. No cracks, very good condtion. Can you tell me if "patented 1915" has any significance and appx worth? Thanks for info. Lynn

Answer:
Lynn, on December 21,1915 the Red Wing Stoneware Company received a patent for the invention of securing a handle to a stoneware jar. Before this, Red Wing jars did not have handles. There were a small number of jars that were stamped "Patent Applied For". These were what I think you were told, first issues. These "Patent Applied For" are sought after by collectors. Your crock in excellent condition is worth between $50 and $80. Al Kohlman

Question:
I just purchased my second piece of advertising for the Thompson Department Store. Can you give me any background on where this store was located and when it was in operation? If you don’t know specific can you steer me in the direction of where I might look for the information. Thanks, Wendy

Answer:
Wendy, the only information I have on a Thompson is the J.B. Thompson & Son’s store in Northwood, Iowa. The general store was founded by John Thompson in 1873. Throughout the years, the business changed in name to: Thompson & Lund, Thompson, Lund & Sime and finally. J.B. Thompson & Son’s. Thompson’s businees consisted of yard goods, clothing & shoes. You can contact the Worth county Historical Society in Iowa for further information. Hope this helps. Al Kohlman

Question:
I own 2-30 gallon Perfection Sanitary Self Draining Jars in excellent condition and would like some back groung on them. I bought the jars in the south and wonder how they were applicable to southern usage and please give me a estimated value. Micheal

Answer:
Michael, these Perfection Self Draining jars were generally used by Dairy, Laboratories and Chemical Companies. Because of their large size, need of a stand or another crock of the same size to place on on top of for display or display upside down, these self drainers are not highly sought after. Depending on how well stamped and appealing the range of your self drainers would be valued from $200 to $250. Al Kohlman

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Hi Folks, I have a 3 gallon Red Wing Union Stoneware Beehive Jug that has a line that goes down somewhat on each side of handle bottom where it attaches on the bottom of the jug. What causes these lines? Are they considered cracks? Are they of any concern in regard to value? Thanks! Rich

Answer:
Richard, these lines are considered "Factory" as they occurred during the manufacturing process and not by a person or object hitting it. This can occur during the drying process and is somewhat normal. Your lines on the sides are very small and would have no affect on the value of your jug. Jeff and Sue

Question:
I recently purchased a water cooler lid. The underside is nice and white like it should be but the top of the lid with the blue rings is really yellow. Is there something I can do or use to make this whiter without ruining the lid and the blue on the rings? Thanks for any help you may be able to provide. Thanks Donna

Answer:
Donna, your lid may have been an early manufactured lid and have been exposed to salt crystals which still lined the kilns from the salt glaze days. If this is the case, there is nothing that can be done to lighten this yellow tint. If your lid had some sort of glaze, paint or varnish applied to it, you may use paint stripper to remove it. Paint stripper will not affect the blue lines or original glaze. Try a small area and see what happens. My thoughts are that your lid was exposed to the salt crystals, but without seeing the lid, I cannot say for sure. Al Kohlman

Question:
I have collected the one gallon mcdonalds crocks. I have them from 1991-2001. Why did they stop making them with the wing on the front? Thanks and have a great day! Denise

Answer:
Denise, McDonald crocks are an after market (reproduction) product produced by a local potter in the Red Wing area. Therefore, there is no history or information available as to why something was done to change the looks of a piece of stoneware they produce. Not being a collector of this type of stoneware, I have no information available to me as why the wings have been removed. Wish I could have been more helpful. Al Kohlman