8 gallon crock marked “Special”

Question:

 Hi, I have this 8 gallon crock with the word Special above the number. What is it worth? Gary

Answer: 

these “Special” 8 gallon crocks are somewhat hard to find and were produced between 1936 & 1947.  I have seen them sell anywhere from $160 to $200.  Al Kohlman

5 gallon shoulder jug, 5 gallon beehive with 6 inch wing , tomato jug

Question:

Hi, I just picked up a few new pieces and was wondering if you could give me an approximate value of them.

The 5 gallon shoulder jug has a chip on the base and the 5 gallon beehive has a chip on the top, with no other cracks.

The stoneware bottle is 8 1/2’” tall and is unmarked, while the smaller wide mouth jug is 6 1/2” tall

and bottom marked ~ R.W.S.W. 

Thanks in advance.

Andy

Answer:

Andy, the 5 gallon shoulder jug with just the number 5 and base chip has a value around $40.  Collectors are looking for pieces with either a decoration or advertising.  The 5 gallon beehive with 6 inch wing and chip on spout has a value around $250.  If it weren’t for that spout chip, the value today would be $350.  The stoneware bottle is not Red Wing.  An lastly, the small bottom signed tomato jug has a value in the area of $40 to $60.  Hope this helps.  Al Kohlman

Red Wing 5 gallon crock with the hairlines

Question:

My younger brother found the crock in the attached picture as he was cleaning out a junk house in Northern Wisconsin . . . luckily, he knew enough to keep it but is now wondering what it’s worth?

There are a couple of cracks as you can see in the picture.

Thanks.

Steph

Answer:

Steph, your Red Wing 5 gallon crock with the hairlines has a value in the range of $30 to $40.   Would make a nice planter in someones yard.  Hard core collectors are looking for those perfect pieces which of course demand a higher value.  Hope this helps.  Al Kohlman

12 gallon double flower that is front stamped

Question:

Hi, 
 
I ran across your website while I was researching a crock I found at a local estate auction. I have attached photos of it. I was wondering if you would be able to give me an idea of what it might be worth?  There are no cracks, but as you can see, there are a few stains. I am curious as to if it’s acutally a reproduction because it doesn’t have the traditional “oval stamp” but rather an imprint with the company name. It also is not signed. Thus far I have not run across any others with the same design.
 
Thank You,
 
Ann

Answer:

Ann, you hit a home run on this barn burner!  You have a very rare Red Wing Stoneware Company 12 gallon double flower that is front stamped.  This is a very early Red Wing salt glazed piece most likely produced between 1878 and early 1890’s.  If your double flower crock is free of all chips, cracks and hairlines the value is quite high and may even scare you. The only thing going against its value that I see is the economy and the stains (especially on the front of the piece in the middle of the flowers).   Now this is my opinion, but I think the value of your absolutely stunning 12 gallon crock is between $18,000 & $20,000 (hopefully someone is around to pick you up off the floor).  If you should decide to sell it, your absolute best crack at getting the most for it would be at the July Convention in Red Wing, Minnesota.  If you are not a member of the Red Wing Collectors Society and you do wish to sell it, do yourself a huge favor and joint.  Your earth shaking salt glazed Red Wing crock should bring quite a bit of excitement to those collectors who read this Ask The Experts question and view your killer piece.  Thanks for sharing it.  Al Kohlman

Elephant ear churns and crocks

Question:

i purchased a 3 gallon elephant ear minnesota stoneware churn at auction, it’s the same as the one in stoneware book,but has black instead of blue. i can’t find anything on this, wonder if you could help.

thanks, tony

Answer:

Tony, it is much more common to  find Elephant ear churns and crocks in black ink verse blue.  If the churn is in perfect condition, the value is around $500 with an oval and lid.  Hope this helps. Al Kohlman

20 gallon Red Wing butterfly, back stamped & Minnesota Stoneware double leaf back stamped crock

Question:

Hello.

I have a 20 gallon butterfly salt glaze with a back stamp and a 15 gallon birch leaf? salt glaze with back stamp Minnesota stone ware red wing.  My husband was an avid collector or Wisconsin pottery not Red Wing even though he bought & sold RW, he recently picked these 2 pieces up.

On 1-6-12 my husband passed away unexpected, I am now trying to find a value. I can supply photos, do not have them photographed at this moment.

Both are super clean with no damage. decoration is bright & big.

I will continue to research.

Thank you,

Debbie

Answer:

Debbie, I am sorry to hear about your lost of your husband.  One is never ready for something as tough as this.   Like your husband, I also share the stoneware collecting with Wisconsin Stoneware being high on my list of collecting as well as Red Wing.   Now your husband has found two nice pieces here.  The 20 gallon Red Wing butterfly that is back stamped is a little down on value.  In perfect condition the value is between $2000 & $2400.  The Minnesota Stoneware double leaf back stamped crock in perfect condition is between $2500 & $2800.   Hope this helps.  Al Kohlman

Red Wing Steam Table insert

Question:

Good Morning,

I am in possession of a Redwing crock that looks nothing like the items I have seen on your website or any other Redwing sites.  I am interested in knowing if this is an authentic Redwing piece.  I could not figure out how to get into your blog to ask the question so I’m taking the liberty to attach some photos of the item and hoping you will help me.  Unlike the other Redwing pieces it does not have the redwing icon on the stoneware.

Thanking you in advance,

Tracey

 

Answer:

Tracey, you have a Red Wing Steam Table insert.  These steam table inserts were used in restaurants to keep food hot before serving.   Value in perfect condition is $40 to $50.  Al Kohlman

Red Wing Perfection Filter

Question:

I recently bought a no 3 redwing perfection filter, it has a square label on the front saying perfection filter and directions for use on the back, It is also banded on top an bottom. I have seen success filters in the past but am having trouble finding anything on this one, any help as to rarity year value?

Thanks Jamey

Answer:

Jamie, you have the newer Red Wing Perfection Filter.  Also, you have the top of the filter system.  The bottom on this style is usually found with a pantry jar wing on them.  In fact, this Perfection filter had a newer filter mechanism in it and the style is that of the Gray Line Pantry jars.  If you had the bottom to complete the set and it was in perfect condition, the value is between $600 to $800 for the set.  Just having the top, the value would be less than half as no one wants to purchase just half of a Perfection Filter.  Also if they would have the bottom, collectors want a perfect match, so this becomes a tough sell with finding someone with the perfected match bottom.  Your Red Wing Perfection Filter was produced in the late 1930’s.  Hope this helps.  Al Kohlman

4 gallon birch leaf beehive

Question:

I have this 4 gallon beehive jug. Can you tell me what it is worth?

Answer:

a 4 gallon birch leaf beehive in perfect condition is around $800.   They were produced between 1895 & 1906.   Al

Red Wing Gray Line or Spongeband Custard bowl

Question: I have had these custard for quite some time and would like to know more about them.

Answer:

this Red Wing Gray Line or Spongeband Custard bowl is valued today between $225 & $275 in perfect condition.  They were produced in the late 1920’s and into the 1930’s.  Al