Red Wing, MN – The Red Wing Collectors Society inducted RWCS Member Ray Reiss into their membership Hall of Fame on Friday, July 13 during their Annual Business Meeting.

Reiss was introducted as the 2018 RWCS Hall of Fame by Wayne Bell a fellow collector. Wayne shared his thoughts about Reiss and his contribution to Red Wing collectors everywhere. The Hall of Fame Plaque states:

Ray Reiss – 2018

Ray Reiss of Chicago, Illinois, Red Wing Collectors Society Member #5996, has made significant contributions to the Red Wing Collectors Society. Ray is hereby inducted into the Red Wing Collectors Society Hall of Fame this 13th day of July, 2018 in recognition of these lifetime achievements:

• Joined the Red Wing Collectors Society in June 1977
• Charter Member Red Wing Collectors Society
• Passionate collector, student and researcher of Red Wing clay products for more than 30 years
• Presented educational seminars at RWCS Conventions for many years
• Authored, photographed & published Red Wing Art Pottery and Red Wing Art Pottery Two
• Authored, photographed & published Red Wing Dinnerware Price and Identification Guide

Ray’s tedious research and passionate interest in Red Wing greatly contributed to the surge in collecting art pottery in the 1990’s. He produced two wonderful coffee table style books, Red Wing Art Pottery and Red Wing Art Pottery Two, that exemplified his exceptional photography skills. Ray did a massive amount of research, engaging many in the Red Wing collector community and past employees of the Red Wing Potteries who shared valuable knowledge and included this information in those books. Red Wing Dinnerware Price and Identification Guide, an additional booklet, included his beautiful photographs of individual pieces of dinnerware. This work was very well organized and provided updated information and price references for Red Wing dinnerware items.

Ray’s work created and encouraged widespread interest in collecting Red Wing art pottery and dinnerware items and most certainly brought new collectors to the RWCS. His passions for collecting and for sharing his extensive research have benefitted countless collectors.

The Red Wing Collectors Society is delighted to welcome Ray Reiss into the RWCS Hall of Fame.

Red Wing, MN –

The Red Wing Collectors Society celebrates its 42^nd Convention in 2018. The 2018 RWCS Convention Commemorative is a reproduction of the popular 2-inch glazed flower pot made by Red Wing Pottery. Three versions of the Commemorative were produced: Version A is 90 percent of total production, Version B is 9 percent and 39 Version C pieces were made. Members received these versions at random at Convention and in the mail.

New and Current members are still able to order their 2018 Commemorative!

Log into the RWCS Website online membership services or call the office at 651-388-4004 until July 14. If you call, you may need to leave a message, your call will be returned as quickly as possible and messages will guarentee your order!

The original 2-inch glazed flower pots are highly sought after by collectors, with the more unique colors often commanding hundreds of dollars when offered for sale. Collectors often refer to the flower pots as salesman samples. They came in simple colors like black and white, and unique colors such as Hyacinth and the Silver Green and Burnt Orange Crystalline glazes. They are available in more than 30 color combinations. Some have a different color inside and outside.

Version A is green with a cream interior. Version B is all pink and Version C is blue with a white interior. The pots are marked on the bottom “RWCS July 12-14, 2018”. They were pressed at Rowe Pottery in Cambridge, WI.

Rowe Pottery also produced a saucer for the flower pots as the 2018 Commemorative Accessory piece.

The Special Commemorative is a miniature flower pot in the style made by the Minnesota Stoneware Company. They were originally made in bisque and Albany slip and are very hard to find in the 2-inch size. A saucer is included with the pot. Eighteen specials were made. Half are bisque and half are Albany slip. Both the pot and saucer were hand-turned at Rowe Pottery. The bisque pots were awarded to Convention Display winners; the Albany slip pots were given away as prizes for several drawings at Convention. One of each was silent-auctioned in the Commemorative Room at Convention.

Twelve flower pots were decorated with a flower and glazed white to represent KidsView and the Young Collectors. These pots were auctioned at Convention and MidWinter with the proceeds going to support the youth program activities.

2018 Convention Attendees!

We are just a week away from the Convention. Many of you are already packing your bags and cars right now.

The RWCS Website and the Convention Supplement are your sources for all your Convention information.

DOWNLOAD THE CONVENTION APP! 
Have the Convention at your fingertips on your mobile device. Just visit your app store and download IN ANY EVENT. If you already have the app on your device, it should automatically update it too.

Here are the website links to plan your Convention Experience:

Schedule See the latest times and locations for all the events and activities.

Scavenger Hunt – Check out the locations and bring the form to the Member Meet Up at the College Friday Evening.

Wednesday, July 11

• 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Pre-registered pick up – Pottery Museum of Red Wing

• • Be sure to pick up your Convention Program

• Pottery Museum of Red Wing Events

• • 6:00 pm– 9:00pm – WINE-ing for Red Wing Pottery Museum of Red Wing

Thursday, July 12 – Minnesota State College Southeast (308 Pioneer Road)

• Commemorative Unveiled 
• Keynote: Historic Pottery Industry of Red Wing & Goodhue County Story map by Leanne Knott
• RWCS Gear SALES & Pick up at College Only
• Chapter Meetings 
• Young Collectors
• AUCTION at the RED WING NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY (885 E 7th St) 
  AIR CONDITIONING IS RENTED FOR THE AUCTION!

• • Viewing at 2:00 pm 
  • Live auction at 4:30 pm 
  • Concessions by Red Wing High School Volleyball 
  • Parking and Shuttle from Minnesota Correctional Facility watch for signs

Friday, July 13 – Minnesota State College Southeast

• Shared Interest Groups 9am
• RWCS Gear SALES & Pick up at College Only
• Educational Seminars being at 10am 
• Kids View – 10am – 2pm 
• Annual Business Meeting 3:15pm 
• Member Meet Up in the College Commons 5:00 – 6:30pm
  Sponsored by: Hallstrom’s Florist and Greenhouse and Sturdiwheat Foods
  Scavenger Hunt Winners, Trivia Contest, Root Beer floats and light appetizers

Saturday, July 14 – Red Wing National Guard Armory

• Show and Sale – Saturday, concessions by Red Wing High School Volleyball

• • Parking and Shuttle from Minnesota Correctional Facility watch for signs

• Banquet – Saturday Night at Mount Frontenac Golf Course– tickets still available
• Commemorative Pick Up

Other Convention Information:

• Display – Thursday and Friday at the College
• Chapter Challenge Silent Auction Thursday and Friday at the College

Information about the City of Red Wing:

• Things to do in Red Wing – Coming for week or looking for other events in Red Wing? There’s events like amateur baseball games, ice cream socials and concerts in the park!
• Directions to Events – Includes information on finding the Minnesota State College and the Red Wing National Guard Armory.
• City of Red Wing Information – All the links to City of Red Wing tourism and visitor information

One last reminder; don’t forget to bring your red badge holder and volunteer pin! The RWCS Board and I  are looking forward to seeing all of you in Red Wing. Safe travels!

Stacy Wegner
Executive Director, RWCS

651-388-4004

The RWCS wishes to thank the following businesses for being 2018 sponsors and supporters of the 2018 RWCS Convention, July 12-14, 2018 in Red Wing!

Convention Sponsors

Member Meet Up Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Red Wing Shoe

Nichols Inn

Rodeway Inn

AmericInn

Treasure Island Resort and Casino

Mount Frontenac Golf Course

Randy’s Restaurant

Silver Sponsors

First Farmers & Merchants Bank
Goodhue County Historical Society
Hanisch Bakery and Coffee Shop
Liberty’s Restaurant and Lounge
Third Floor Antiques
Vogel & Gorman PLC
Red Wing Shoe Store
Red Wing Confectionery

Supporters

Bayside Tap & Steakhouse  
Marie’s Underground Grill & Tap House
Uffda Shop
St. James Hotel
Whimsy’s Closet
Backwoods Framing & Engraving
Kelly’s Tap House & Grill
Ferrin Furniture Co
West End Liquor
Josephson’s Clothing Store

Wiederholt’s Supper Club
Red Wing Golf Course

Bev’s Cafe

RED WING, MN – Hundreds of stoneware and pottery collectors will make the trek to the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites in Des Moines, Iowa for the Red Wing Collectors Society (RWCS) MidWinter GetTogether, Feb. 23-24.

The Red Wing Collectors Society is made up of more than 3,000 members worldwide who collect stoneware crocks, jugs, churns, dinnerware and art pottery manufactured in Red Wing from the 1880s to 1960s. The February event helps tie collectors over until the next RWCS National Convention in Red Wing in July. Both events serve as great opportunities for members to connect over Red Wing and learn about the history of the potteries that once operated in Red Wing, their diverse production lines and the impact they had on the American pottery industry.

The event will kick off with a Friday night social for attendees in the hotel ballroom from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 23, but as with any large antique event, the opportunity to buy and sell is top of mind for collectors and dealers. In this case, the RWCS MidWinter GetTogether never disappoints. Many attendees will prop open their doors and sell Red Wing wares from their hotel rooms during the event – some starting as early as the night of Tuesday, Feb. 20. A formal Show & Sale will run from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24 followed by an auction at 5 p.m. – both of which are open to the public. Auction proceeds will benefit the Pottery Museum of Red Wing and more information can be found at www.houghtonauctions.com. Whether you’re new to collecting Red Wing or an experienced collector, anyone and everyone is invited to attend this fun event and find a new piece for their collection.

Education is also a major focus of the event. Collector Joe Grout will give a keynote presentation on the Red Wing Stoneware Company’s production in Iowa through Ft. Dodge and Plymouth Stoneware. RWCS Hall of Fame members Larry Roschen and Terry Moe will present on less common Gypsy Trail dinnerware. Mark Wiseman will present on potteries in Marion County, Iowa and Jeff Birchman will cover Red Wing beater jars and their use as a merchant premium. Debra & David Giesen will lead a round table discussion on collecting Red Wing and Danae Quirk Dorr will present an in-depth discussion on Red Wing’s North Star Stoneware Co, which only operated from 1892 to 1896.

All activities will be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites at 4800 Merle Hay Rd in Des Moines, Iowa, which is located at the intersection of I-35 and I-80 in Des Moines. Visit www.erwcs.org to register or learn more about the MidWinter GetTogether.

The 42^nd annual Red Wing Collectors Society Summer Convention is slated for July 12-14 in Red Wing, MN. Annual membership in the Red Wing Collectors Society costs only $35 and includes five 16-page full-color newsletters mailed to your home throughout the year. The RWCS was founded in 1977 in Red Wing and there are more than 3,000 members worldwide. For more information or to become a member, call the RWCS business office at 651-388-4004, e-mail membership@redwingcollectors.org or log on to www.erwcs.org. You can also join the RWCS on Facebook and follow it on Twitter at @RWCollectors

We are excited to share that you can now download the MidWinter schedule directly to your phone!

The RWCS has been working with RWCS member Craig Orcutt and his company Orcadia Labs to create this handy way for you customize your MidWinter experience with the convenience of your phone. Thank you Craig for donating this wonderful tool for attendees!

You can simply search for “In Any Event” on Google Play for Android or the Apple Store for iPhone. If you prefer, here are the links:

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.orcadialabs.inanyevent

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/in-any-event/id1348755354

We hope this app will be an easy and quick way to keep up on everything going on at MidWinter. You might see mention on google or the app store that this application is in development, but that’s only because apple and google have a long process to get final approvals.  The app is finished, but the paperwork takes a few extra days.

Please share any feedback you have on the app with Craig Orcutt at orcadialabs@gmail.com or Mike Stenstrom RWCS vice president and tech committee chair at vicepresident@redwingcollectors.org. Both Craig and Mike will also be attending MidWinter so be sure to visit with them in person too.

See you in a few days in Des Moines, IA! Safe Travels.

RWCS Facebook Chapter awarded the RWCS Little Brown Jug of Membership. Since 2007, the RWCS recognizes a Chapters efforts to grow the membership of the RWCS.

The RWCS Facebook Chapter, a group on Facebook, was started by the organizations Executive Director. The drive of the current chapter officers including Chris Tinscher and Yoshi Hoffman have brought double digit new members to the RWCS this past year. The Chapter is made up of people from all over talking about Red Wing made pottery and stoneware.

Congradulations to the RWCS Facebook Chapter! Join them today! All members are welcome to join the 24 hours a day Red Wing collector discussion.

The slate is clean Chapters!

Here is more information on the Little Brown Jug of Membership:

What is it?
Like its namesake, the Little Brown Jug rivalry between the Universities of Minnesota and Michigan, the Little Brown Jug of Membership is an annual traveling trophy. The Membership jug is a way to acknowledge the recruiting efforts of our Chapters. The Chapter that recruits the most new members in one year to the RWCS is awarded the jug.

When did it begin?
The RWCS launched the Little Brown Jug of Membership in 2007 during the RWCS’s 30^th Anniversary Celebration. The concept was developed by RWCS Executive Director, Stacy Wegner.

Who made the jug?
The Albany slip jug has a North Star mark on the bottom and is hand decorated with “FILLING THE JUG ONE MEMBER AT A TIME” on the front with a Red Wing and “LITTLE BROWN JUG OF MEMBERSHIP” on the back. The design and creation of the jug was done by RWCS member Aarika Floyd in 2007.

How is the data gathered?
When a new member joins they are asked how they heard about the organization and that is indicated in the field provided in the Online Membership System. The information is included on the new member report.

What is the source of New Member report?
Each year the Red Wing Collectors Society Executive Director will generate a new membership report. The list is comprised of new members from July 1 of the prior year through June 30^th of the current year.

Who decides the winner of the Jug?
The New Member Report is given to the RWCS Representatives at Large. The Reps at Large will review the list with the Chapter Presidents at their annual meeting during the Convention. Following the meeting, the Reps will decide the jug winner.

What if there is a tie?
In the event of a tie, the Chapters will split the jug possession during the year. Depending on the location of the Chapters it can be transferred at a Chapter meeting or at MidWinter.

When is the Chapter announced?
The formal presentation is at the Annual Business Meeting held during the official RWCS Annual Convention in Red Wing, MN.

Who announces the winning Chapter?
The Representatives at Large report the winner to the Executive Director who presents the jug at the RWCS Annual Business Meeting.

How are the winners recognized on the jug?
The winning Chapter(s) will affix their Chapter logo decal/sticker and the year on the Jug. The jug will be returned to the RWCS Executive Director the following convention in its bag.

How does a Chapter participate?
All Chapters are automatically included each year. They simply need to encourage the new member to indicate them as their recruiter. If an individual Chapter member is named they are counted in the Chapter total.

Chapter Winners

2007                   INTRODUCTION
2007 – 2008        Nebraska Chapter
2008 – 2009       Gopher Chapter
2009 – 2010       Trails West Chapter
2010 – 2011        Trails West Chapter
2011 – 2012        Iowa Chapter
2012 – 2013        Iowa Chapter
2013 – 2014        Golden State Chapter
2014 – 2015        Cannon Valley Chapter & Gopher Chapter
2015 – 2016       Wisconsin Chapter & Badger Chapter
2016- 2017         RWCS Facebook Chapter

Red Wing, MN – This year the RWCS held its convention in a new location Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing. The article below and photos were reported in the August 2017 Issue of the RWCS Newsletter.

You can also download the PDF of the newsletter page as well.

If you are interested in display for the 2018 Covnention please contact display chair Tyler Green. He can be reached at 605-251-9944 or email at display@redwingcollectors.org