Question:

We have a small crock by the Red Wing Stone Ware Company. The bottom of the crock is signed. The piece measures 5.5″ across by approximately 3.5″ tall. It was a part of my grandmother’s antique dairy collection.

There aren’t any markings as to the size that can be contained. There is a small gold mark on the front, but from looking at hundreds of listings on ebay we can’t find a similar mark.

Can you give more information on the history/use of this crock and an approximate value?

Thank you in advance.
Crystal

Answer:

Your grandmother has a Red Wing butter crock.  It was produced between 1895 & 1920.  With the chips and not decorations the value is between $25 & $35 in today’s market.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Hi, I bought this 10 gallon crock at a consignment shop recently for $89, and would like you to help me determine what I have found! I just started collecting Red Wing Stoneware and only been buying the newer Zinc glaze crocks so don’t know much about the older Salt glazed pieces. In looking in my Red Wing Encyclopedia, it appears to be a Salt glazed Cobalt Blue Butterfly pattern crock. Please let me know what you think about the crock and what the value might be. There are no cracks or stains and the glaze is great, there is one small chip on each handle, that’s it! I’m really excited about this find, but would appreciate your expertize! Thanks! 

Fred 

Answer:

Fred’s 10 gallon crock is indeed a Red Wing salt glazed butterfly crock.  With the description stated and the size of the butterfly the value would be $900 to $1000 (unsigned).  What a great find and beautiful piece of Red Wing decorated salt glaze.   Al Kohlman

Question:

My mom’s has some stoneware that she is trying to sell for the property taxes.

I attached some photos for you. The Western does have a crack and I took a photo of that too.

Thank you again for all your help.

Melissa

Answer:

Melissa’s mother’s 8 gallon Red Wing crock with the 6 inch wing would have a value in today’s market at or close to $150 if cleaned up and in perfect condition.  The Western crock with the large crack would have a very low value, maybe $20 or so.  Al Kohlman

If it has no cracks or chips I would say in today’s market the range would be $125-$175 to a collector.

Thanks,
Scott

Question:

Could you please tell me what you think this is worth?

Lovely 20 gallon Red Wing Crock with hand drawn leaves and the number 20 also hand drawn in blue.  It is stamped Union – Stoneware Co. – Red Wing, Minn.

It does have a crack near the back of the crock which does go all the way throught to the inside of the crock. It has been repaired by a previous owner.

Thank you for your time. Kim

Answer:  Kim, two back that crack is so large on your Red Wing 20 gallon transion leaf crock.  Value with the crack would be $500 to $600.  Still a very pretty piece.  Al

Question:

Al,

My question is on milk pans.  I have collected a set of the white milk pans.  Each of the pans nest within the next larger pan, except for the 1.5 and 2 gal pan.  The 1.5 will not nest all the way in to the 2.  They rest on the rims.  All of my pans are bottom marked.  I have tried many different combinations (newer and older bottom marked) and can not find a combination that works.  Do you know if they ever were intended to nest or if anyone has a nest?

Soured Milk Pan Dan

Answer:

Dan, I have only bought and sold milk pans, but have never tried to nest them together.  I am afraid I am of little help with this one.  Al Kohlman

Question:

Could you tell me if this Fruit Jar is rare and how much it might be worth? I believe it to be a quart size.

Thanks

Erich

Answer:

Erich, I am afraid that this is not a Red Wing fruit jar as I have never seen this style before.  Therefore, I strongly believe the Red Wing on this jar is a Fake!   Now if you can get your hands on this jar, take a small pocket knife and see if that red wing will not begin to peal off when scraped. 

Let me know as I would love to have a follow-up on this piece.  Al

Question:

I have 2 questions on stoneware, both 5 gal. jugs. I’ve attached a photo of one… The one with the 5 on the neck, IT IS ALSO BOTTOM SIGNED “RWS CO” in a straight line.

The second jug, also 5 gal. has albany slip (brown) on the neck above the shoulder. The price guide shows a 1/2 , 1, and 2 gallon with only a wing… The one I have has the wing and also an oval. I am not able to supply a photo at this time as it is not in my possession yet.

Would the expert comment on value of these 2 items. THANKS.

Chuck

Answer:

Chuck, the first 5 gallon shoulder jug with the gallon-age number on the domb and with the 6 inch wing has a value between $250 & $300 depending on condition.  In mint condition, I would go with the higher value.

Now the second 5 gallon with the red wing and oval with the Albany slip top depends on conditon and the size of the red wing.  I have had them all and sold them anywhere from $300 for the small wing with light markings to $800 for a 4 1/2 inch red wing (that was one of the best 5 gallon wing jugs that I have ever seen or owned).  Hope this helps.  al

Question: 

: What kind of lid would my water cooler take, a button or bar lid and what value would you put on these 4 pieces. The water cooler and churn each have a tight hair line, these are the only ones I’ve seen or heard of.

Thanks

Andre

Answer:

Hi, Andre – first of all, thanks for sharing your photo.  Your churn and cooler are awesome!  Either lid would look great on your cooler, but the button lid is the type of lid it would have came with originally.

Regardless of where they live, Cairns advertising appeals to most collectors of Red Wing advertising stoneware because of the “Crockery Dept.” wording.  In today’s market, the 1 gal crock is probably in the $500-$600 range if mint.  The jug is probably $400-$500 if mint.

The churn and cooler, however, are the pieces most of us haven’t seen before.  We knew Red Wing made these though.  The Red Wing Potteries Ledger, which lists special orders placed between 1906 and 1914, has an order from Cairns that includes four 4 gallon churns and 15 6 gallon coolers.  To give you some perspective, they also ordered 150 1 gallon crocks and 50 2 gallon jugs.  Although I believe they placed more than one order with Red Wing over the years, clearly very few churns and coolers were made and even fewer still exist today.

Placing value on damaged items is really difficult, especially when they’re rare items.  I think the cooler could bring $2,000-$2,300 if was mint.  But with the damage being on the front of the cooler right through the ad, the value would be significantly impacted.  My guess is that it would sell for under $1,000 if offered at the right auction.  I believe if the churn were mint, it could bring $1,750-$2,000.  Again, the damage significantly imapcts the value, but at least the crack is more on the side of the churn than the front.

Again, thanks for sharing these beauties!  You’re fortunate to have them in your collection. Rick

Question:

Hi,  I recently became a member of the Red Wing Stoneware Collectors Society and have a few crocks and things and love them.  I bought this crock about 20 years ago in an antique shop and have always wondered if it was a Red Wing.  It is not marked, but in great condition.  Can you tell me anything about this crock?  Thanks,  Cathy

Answer: Stacy, this 6 gallon adv crock is not Red Wing.  It must be from the New England area. No idea on value.  al