Question:

I recently purchased a Red Wing Half-Gallon Jug from ebay and I had a couple of questions.  It has the 2 inch red wing on it and it is the first piece of primitive stoneware I have purchased.  I usually purchase art ware.  My question is that it does have several small chips on the rim at the top and I was wondering how it affects the value.  I probably paid too much for the jug but if it had been in the mint condition as listed then it would have been worth it to me even if I paid too much.  I can return it per the listing and wanted to know if this jug is hard to find without chips?  It is brown at the top and glazed.  It looks great except for the chips.  Also, I appreciate your web site and always refer to it to look over all kinds of Red Wing as I started collecting art pottery a few years ago.  Thank You Donna

Answer:

Donna, if your 1/2 gallon brown top jug were in mint condition, the value is $200 to $225.  With the chips, maybe $150 at best.  An, Yes, you can find these 1/2 gallon brown top jugs with the 2  inch wing in perfect condition.  I have had a number of them.  Al Kohlman

Question:

I wanted to see what Al thought on these as far as value.
 
12 gallon Elephant Ear crock.  Excellent condition but there is a chip on the inside of the lip.  It’s about the size of a quarter.  What do you think on approx. value?
(2) 2 gallon wing churns.  Obviously, the one on the left is an oval over with 4 in wing and the one on the right is a RW Potteries churn with small wing.  Both are in excellent condition. Zero chips or cracks.  Approx value?
 
As always, I appreciate your input.
 
Thanks, Dru

Answer:

Dru, your 12 gallon Elephant ear crock with the inside rim chip would have a value between $250 & $300.  The mint Red Wing churn with 4 inch wing and reversed oval is value between $300 & $350.  Also the lid on this churn is not Red Wing.  The mint Red Wing churn with 2 inch wing is value between $175 & $200.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Just was wondering when and why the stamp was chicken feeders was changed to poultry feeder on the bell feeders?  

  Thanks Maxine

Answer:

Maxine, why the stamp chicken feeders was changed to poultry feeder on the bell feeders is one that I just have no idea  on.  I have never seen anything in the Red Wing Stoneware books that ever referred to this change.  Sorry. Al Kohlman

Question:

Good morning,

I have a piece of stoneware that has been in the family for sometime and would like to know its value…..I would like to know if somebody could help me out on determining an accurate value on a piece that is somewhat rare?  I have attached photos of a 6 gal. salt glaze butter churn that is in very nice condition, only having two small chips on the top rim.  Also, I believe I have a cover for it somewhere and would like to know how much value that adds to it?  Thank you for any info. you are willing to share.

Thanks again, David

Answer:

David, you have a Red Wing 6 gallon salt glazed double rib cage butter churn.  All cleaned up with just two small chips, the value would be $575 to $600 (depending on the size of the chips).  If you have the correct lid and in perfect condition, the lid is $100.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Al why my lid has an embossed 8 and a 10 W? It fits my 10 cooler perfectly.
Thanks,
Ken

Answer:

Ken, your 10 gallon Red Wing water cooler lid with the embossed 8 & 10W was produced to fit either an 8 or 10 gallon Red Wing water cooler.  Much like the 5 & 6 gallon embossed bar handle crock lids.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Hi,

I recently found this crock right out of an estate and have never seen this lip before? It came with a button pedal lid. Also has an extra oval and hand written 4 on side. Any info. is greatly appreciated. Thanks

Answer:

I have not seen a Red Wing crock with a rim like this.  My guess is that it was produced to hold a Red Wing Perfection or Success filter on top of it.  Also the  Red Wing (ski)) oval being stencilled on the back just under the lid is a first for me as well.  As far as value, a perfect Red Wing 20 gallon crock with 4 birch leaves with excellent markings and ski oval is valued at $250.  Yours with weaker markings, a crows foot type hairline, but with a ski oval on the back I think would balance things out and keep the value in the area of $250.  The cobalt 4 does not raise or lower it’s value.  Hope this helps.  Al Kohlman

Update November 2013 from an RWCS member:

I have had these crocks before with the thick ‘cupped’ lip.  These crocks were used by clinics and labs to store samples in.  The thick ‘cupped’ lip was then filled with a liquid and the lid was set on it.  This supposedly formed a water tight seal.

The Mayo clinic in Rochester had a lot of Red Wing crocks that they stored ‘things’ in.  I have seen this lip on 20 gallon wing crocks & 10 gallon water coolers (no spigot hole).  I have not seen a birchleaf crock with this lip – so this is kind of a neat piece. – Greg

Question:

Hello – I have a Mason Fruit Jar and I am curious about the size.  I have seen quart, 1/2 gallon and 1 gallon sizes.  I measured the volume of this jar to be 96 ounces (12 cups) up to the top.  Was there ever a 3/4 gallon size made?  I have included a photo (unfortunately the jar has a hairline crack across the front).  I would also like to know the value with this defect.  Thanks so much for your time.

Sue.

Answer:

Sue, in all of my Red Wing books, they only list the three sizes of the Red Wing Mason jars. They are the quart, 1/2 gal and gallon size.  Now we know that a gallon holds 128 ounces and 1/2 gallon is 64 ounces.  When you can, you are never suppose to fill a fruit jar to it’s top.  So with this being said, I am guessing that this jar should be the 1/2 gallon size, but could be mistaken.  Either way, with the crack in the front, the value is quite low.  Maybe $50 at best.  Now if indeed this is a 3/4 gallon Red Wing Mason jar, then the value with the crack would be higher and could go anywhere from $225 to $1000 depending on what a collector would pay for an oddball size.  It would take a well advertised auction to realize the true value when the gavel falls. Al Kohlman

Question:

Hello,  I  have a “Winnebago” marked Bean Pot. This Bean Pot was part of an elderly womens estate that lived in Winnebago and was in  pristine condition. I would like to hear your opinion on if this is a fake as it is quite important to me.  Regards, Darryl

Answer:

Darryl, I can tell you that your Winnebago advertising bean pot is Red Wing.  I can’t see enough of the lid to tell if it is Red Wing, but the bean pot is.   Al Kohlman

Question:

On the birch leaf or elephant ear crocks, was the black or blue color earlier?

Thank you, Martin

Answer:

Martin both the black and blue decorations were applied in the same time period.  You just see more black ink elephant ear pieces than blue.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Hi, I have a 5 inch tall, by 71/2 inch wide crock. The crock has a red wing on the front. Also has 4 blue stripes. 2 at the top and 2 at the bottom. The lid is also on it. I’m not sure how you rate these but I would say it’s in excellent condition.

I will text you a picture.

Dorothy

Answer:

Dorothy, you have a Red Wing pantry jar.  My guess that it is the 5 pound size.  These Pantry jars are very collectible, especially with the lid.  In perfect condition, the value is between $550 & $650.  Al Kohlman