35th Annual Red Wing Collectors Society
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RWCS Releases List of Known Stoneware Fakes
Red Wing Collectors Society Releases List of Stoneware Fakes
by Larry Birks
Red Wing, MN – Red Wing Collectors Society member Larry Birks was the keynote presenter at the 2011 MidWinter GetTogether in Des Moines, IA last weekend. Birks has spent over a year researching and documenting stoneware fakes found by himself, other RWCS members, antique shops, and auction houses.
The RWCS and Birks felt it was important to publish his list of fakes along with photo examples and a PDF that anyone can download.
If anyone finds additional stoneware fakes, please email the photos and information to the RWCS executive director, Stacy Wegner, director@redwingcollectors.org.
MidWinter 2011 Attendee Information
Hey y’all!
Hill Billy Hoe Down
MidWinter GetTogether, February 11-13, 2011
We are just two weeks away from our boot slappin’ good time at MidWinter. Come early so you are ready for the Hoot’in Nanny Hoe Down in the ballroom Friday Night at 7:00 p.m. You won’t want to miss:
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Down home Cookin’
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Test your red neck knowledge
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Siouxland Chapter pig flask door prizes
Here are some tips and information to check out before heading out on the back roads for Des Moines!
Attendee Checklist:
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Red RWCS Badge Holder – a limited supply of plastic badges will be available
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Volunteer pin
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Overall pants, floppy hat, and whiskey jug – shoes optional
Event Information:
Seminars and Speakers – Including KidsView information
Show and Sale Floor Plan – NEW Hours 1:30pm to 4:00 pm
Attention Kids View participants – There is a rumor a NEW 35 gallon bisque crock may be available for decorating by the kids. Bring your creativity to decorate this historic piece. Click Here for more information on Kids View.
Reminders:
- Board Meet and Greet: Friday, February 11th, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Elevator Bank on main floor - SILENT AUCTION: ALL THREE VERSIONS OF THE 2010 COMMEMORATIVE!
Location: Registration, winner announced 3:00 p.m. Saturday
Reminders
:Can’t wait to see y’all in Des Moines!
MidWinter is sure to keep your Red Wing fever burnin over the winter!
For the latest news visit the RWCS website, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!
Chapter Meetings being held at MidWinter 2011
C’ mon Y’ all!
MidWinter Get Together
February 11-13, 2011
Des Moines, IA
Red Wing, MN – Two Chapters of the Red Wing Collectors Society will meet at the 2011 MidWinter GetTogether on Friday, February 11
5:30 pm Trails West Missouri Room
8:30 pm Siouxland Chapter Illinois Room
All are invited to visit and check out these RWCS Chapter. If an RWCS Chapter would like to meet at MidWinter, please contact the business office at 800-977-7927 or email director@redwingcollectors.org
2011 Convention 2011 Housing Information
35th Annual Convention
July 7-9, 2011
Stirring up the Memories
Housing Information
MidWinter GetTogether 2011 Show and Sale Floor Plan
2011 MidWinter GetTogether
Feb. 11-13, 2011
Des Moines, IA – Holiday Inn & Suites
4800 Merle Hay Road
MidWinter 2011 – Additional House Available
MidWinter 2011
February 11-13, 2011
Housing Update
Red Wing, MN – The Holiday Inn and Suites is sold out for the 2011 MidWinter. Additional house is available just across the Holiday Inn Parking Lot at the Super 8 Merle Hay; here are the details:
Super 8 Merle Hay
5900 Sutton Place
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
Phone: 515-270-1037 or 800-821-5297
They will be offering a rate of $69++.
For more information on the MidWinter GetTogether, please visit our events page or call 800-977-7927 or email director@redwingcollectors.org.
Red Wing Stoneware & Pottery Collectors To Meet In Des Moines, February 11-13
RED WING, MN. – After a long seven plus months since its annual summer convention, members of the Red Wing Collectors Society (RWCS) will meet up for the group’s Annual MidWinter GetTogether in Des Moines from Feb. 11-13.
The RWCS is the organization devoted to those who collect a diverse line of crocks, jugs, churns, dinnerware and art pottery manufactured in Red Wing from the 1880s to 1960s. Hundreds of people from around the country are expected to attend the February event, which serves as a precursor and helps tie collectors over until the annual national RWCS Convention in Red Wing in July. These two events serve as great opportunities for members to buy and sell 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.
Highlighting this year’s event will be a keynote presentation on stoneware fakes by RWCS Member Larry Birks at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12. Birks, who is the president of the RWCS Trails West Chapter centered in Missouri and Kansas, has made it his mission in recent years to alert fellow collectors on the fake advertising stoneware being made that has fooled even some advanced collectors. He will show examples of old stoneware with newly applied advertising, discuss how it’s being made and share tips on how to identify it.
“There are a few dishonest individuals out there who are placing new advertising stamps on old stoneware and passing it off as the real thing,” Birks explains. “While we might not be able to stop these pieces from being made, we can prevent people from getting fooled into buying them by helping them learn how to identify them.”
More educational sessions will be held for members fo
llowing Birks’ presentation, including talks on Red Wing bowls, Red Wing dinnerware paper memorabilia, RWCS Foundation news, Maple City Pottery’s salt glaze process and using Facebook to share Red Wing-related news. KidsView activities will also be held for the younger collectors to participate in.
The MidWinter GetTogether includes a number of other organized activities like a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11. The theme of this year’s event is “Hillbilly Hoedown”. Attendees are encouraged to bring their straw hats and overalls to take part in the fun.
Many attendees sell Red Wing wares from their hotel rooms during the MidWinter GetTogether. A formal Show & Sale will run from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12 followed by an auction at 6 p.m. – both of which are open to the public. Whether you’re new to collecting Red Wing or an experienced collector, there’s something for everyone at the MidWinter GetTogether.
All activities will be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 4800 Merle Hay Road, in Des Moines, Iowa. For more information on the MidWinter GetTogether, or the annual Red Wing Collectors Society Summer Convention, which is slated for July 7-9 in Red Wing, Minn., log on to www.redwingcollectors.org.
Annual membership in the Red Wing Collectors Society costs only $25 and includes six 16-page full-color newsletters mailed to your home throughout the year. The Red Wing Collectors Society was founded in 1977 in Red Wing, Minn. and is devoted to educating people about all American pottery. There are more than 4,000 members worldwide. The Red Wing Potteries had diverse pottery lines that included stoneware, dinnerware and art pottery. For more information or to become a member, call the RWCS business office at 800-977-7927, e-mail membership@redwingcollectors.org or log on to www.redwingcollectors.org. You can also join the RWCS on Facebook and follow it on Twitter at twitter.com/RWpottery.