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

Question: {mosimage}
I would like to know the price I should ask for a Red Wing 5 gallon Jug that has one small chip at the opening of the jug. The chip is a triangluar one about 1 inch by one inch but only as deep as the glaze.
Thanks Richard

Answer:
Richard, I viewed the chip on the spout of your five gallon jug, but did not see the jug itself. Therefore, I do not know if your jug is a beehive or shoulder jug? Whether it has a wing or leaves? If it has a wing, what size is it? All these variables would help determine a price. Now even without all these variables, let’s discuss the chip.

A chip of this size on the front of the jug, will greatly reduce the value of your piece. Unless it is extremely rare, most purest collectors would not be interested in the piece unless you almost gave it away and they could see a small profit in resale.

With all this being said, what you need to do is look at what you have invested in the piece and calculate what would be a fair profit for you and fair price for the buyer.

If you are not comfortable with this, please send me another photo of the entire front of the piece and I would be happy to try and give you a price range on your jug. AL Kohlman

Question:
I am currently interested in purchasing a piece of pottery. It is a batter bowl with wood and wire handle. On the bottom is a marking that is a circle with the words Made in Red Wing. I would like to know if this a genuine article from the Red Wing Pottery and if so, approximately what year it would have been created. Thank you, Zach

Answer:
Zach, I did not receive a photo or description of this bowl but would think with what you have given me that this is an original Red Wing batter bowl. In fact, it sounds like a Red Wing Gray Line Batter Bowl. The Gray Line bowls have a blue & red sponge band which is located about 3/4 of an inch from the top of the bowl. This batter bowl was produced by Red Wing in the late 1920’s and is highly sought after by Red Wing collectors. Al Kohlman

Question:
What you estamate a 30 gallon Red Wing Crock at? It has the double birch leaf mark and the molded handles. It also has a crack and a few other siders on the inside and outside.
W. Davis

Answer:
W. Davis, a 30 gallon with double birch leafs in mint condition would be in the area of $350. You mentioned a crack in the one you currently have along with a few spiders. These defects will affect the value depending on how long the crack is. If the crack is in the front of the piece or the back. Without seeing the crock and how severe the damage, it is extremely hard to say. In the worst case it would be $50 to $75. With a tight crack in the back and small spiders, $100 to $175.
Al Kohlman

Question:
This is a question of Al. We recieved a red wing chicken feeder for Christmas or so we are told. Is there such a thing and if so what is the value? It sits on its side with 2 ears (legs) that cause it to tilt downward. It is a little larger then a gallon size. It has a slit on the front where supposively the chickens put their heads to eat. This offset slit it about 4 inches in. Thanks for all the help, Kelli

Answer:
Kelli, Red Wing made a number of different Chicken feeders. The one you are describing sounds like the Eureka. Red Wing made these in 1/2, 1 & 2 gallons. The most desirable of this feeder is the one which has the first Red Wing oval (ski oval) stamped on the top and the Red Wing impressed signature on the back. Without seeing a photo of this feeder, I would guess it to be the 1 gallon size. Without an oval or signature $50 to $100. With just an oval on the top $125 to $175. With an oval & signature up to $250 to $300. These prices are for mint pieces, and nice markings.
Al Kohlman

Question:
I have a redwing feeder. It is a bell type, about a foot high, with small half circle cut outs on either side of the bottom, with blue lettering. Should this have a dish that went underneath it? And what do these sell for? Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, David

Answer:
David, sounds like you have the 2 gallon Red Wing Sanitary (bell) Chicken Drinking and Buttermilk feeder. Red Wing made these in four sizes with the 2 gallon being the largest size. All of these bell feeders came with a base. Of course, the base is the hardest piece to find. Your gallon feeder in mint condition without the base would be in the range of $75 to $100. If you can locate a base for this, you would most likely pay $50 to $75 for it.
Al Kohlman

Question: {mosimage}
I have a churn. 5 gallon, with cover. Has the 5 in blue, the redwing, and Union Stoneware stamp on front. Cover has 5&6 on it. What can you tell me about it and what is it worth. Thanks Kay

Answer:
Kay, your Red Wing 5 gallon churn was manufactured between 1915 and 1930. Before 1915 the wing size was usually 6 inches long from point to point. After 1930 the wing sizes were reduced to 2 7/8 inches. Your churn has the 4 1/2 inch wing which was the standard size for this time frame. If your churn & lid is in mint condition, I would place the value at $350 to $375. Al Kohlman

Question:
I have a piece approx 4-5" tall, 5" in diameter, white with blue stripe around top and bottom and the words "RED WING BEATER JAR EGGS – CREAM SALAD DRESSING" on one side. It was my grandmothers and she was from northern MN. Love to know any info you have and will provide a photo if needed. Tami

Answer:
Tami, Your grandmother’s Red Wing beater jar was manufactured from the late 1920’s and 30’s. Red Wing also produced these with advertising for merchants to give away as premiums during holidays and special events. This piece of kitchen stoneware was very popular item during it’s time. With advertising it is very much in demand by Red Wing collectors. Al Kohlman

Question: {mosimage}
Hi, Can you tell me who made these miniature jugs? I have found many references to Red Wing or other potteries but I can’t pinpoint it to a specific company. I would greatly appreciate your help. Thanks Chris

Answer:
Chris, I am afraid I am not able to pinpoint the exact pottery who made this mini jug either. My best guess is Western Stoneware Company, UHL or Ohio (again my best guess). All of these companies manufactured mini jugs of this shape for different business throughout the United States. Al Kohlman

Question: {mosimage}
Hi, I am a collector of midwest regional pottery, particularly Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois. Recently found this piece in Milwaukee area thrift shop. Definite salt glaze/cobalt brushed – handthrown, heavy stoneware, clay very similar to Red Wing stoneware 1920-30’s. Inscribed initials on bottom – MH (Mary Huhn?) Size – 3 1/8" height, 5" major diameter, 2 1/2" opening. Flat, slightly concaved dry bottom, glaze drips over bottom ridge.

At first purchase, I thought this might be a Max Howell (of Century House , Madison, WI 1948-63), but further inspection leads me to believe this a a potential RWS lunch hour item . Piece does not appear contemporary (appears true salt glaze) and is too well modelled for a " ceramics class " item or student item.
Thanks, Anthony

Answer:
Anthony, the only photo I received is of the bottom with the initials MH incised in the clay. The initials, small dark specks in the clay, along with the photo make me believe (at this point) this piece is not Red Wing. Also, the thought of a piece being a lunch hour piece again makes things difficult as there is not another known piece such as this to compare it to. Al Kohlman