Antiques and Auction News article discusses stoneware fakes

FRIDAY AUGUST 6, 2010

    Antiques and Auction News Article

    Fooled By Fakes – Buyer Beware! This Month: Red Wing Stoneware

by Anita Stratos I’ve always admired Red Wing stoneware – they’re such wonderful pieces of Americana – but I have yet to acquire a piece at auction. In preparation for some upcoming auctions where several interesting pieces will be sold, I decided to find out if there are any known fakes and reproductions in the market. Not surprisingly, they’re out there, especially since stoneware prices have been increasing for a few decades, with some rare examples selling for over $50,000.

I contacted the Red Wing Collectors Society (RWCS; www.redwingcollectors.org), a very helpful group of collectors who are eager to share their extensive knowledge with others. RWCS newsletter editor Rick Natynski recently covered part of this growing problem in his December 2009 newsletter article. He reported that reproduction advertising stamps are being found on old stoneware at auctions, flea markets, and online. He warned that these reproductions are “so well done that it’s fooling even the most advanced collectors.” To illustrate his point, he shared a story about one longtime Red Wing collector and dealer who had purchased a one gallon crock with Nebraska advertising for $2,000 from an online auction. Although this particular advertising was new to him, upon receiving the crock, it passed his inspection and he sold it to one of his regular customers. Before the dealer even had a chance to ship the crock, the customer contacted him because he had been told by another expert that it was a modern reproduction. Upon hearing this, the dealer tested the piece by scraping a corner of the advertising, which came right off – this was a sure sign of a fake label. Being an honest dealer, he refunded the buyer’s money and would attempt to recoup his money from the original online seller.

Natynski did some investigating. “After doing some digging, one person told me these pieces are being made by a guy in Hastings, Nebraska, but they didn’t know the name of the person making them,” he wrote in his article.

Natynski wasn’t able to verify that the person making these crocks actually lives in Hastings, but he was able to discover that the person is selling these fake advertising pieces as new and includes a waiver stating that the crockery itself is old but he has fired a new advertising stamp onto it. Unfortunately, the waivers are printed on paper and there is no mark on the stoneware itself indicating that the advertising stamp is fake and was added on later, so it’s all too easy for an unscrupulous seller to buy one of these pieces, throw away the waiver, and then misrepresent the item as authentic and sell it for a high price.

Natynski offers a couple of ways that buyers can determine the authenticity of an advertising crock. Like the dealer in the story above, he suggests gently scratching a corner of the advertising with a razor blade or pen knife; if it’s fake, it will come off easily.

“Before you start scratching a jug in front of its owner, however, explain to them that scratching at the glaze won’t damage the crock or the advertising if it’s original,” Natynski wrote. “The glaze on original zinc-glazed Red Wing stoneware pieces is extremely strong, and provided the glaze hasn’t pitted due to acid damage at some point in the past, scratching it with a knife will not harm the piece.”

It’s a little more difficult if you’re considering buying an advertising crock online and can only judge the authenticity from photos. However, Natynski advises that buyers study the advertising stamp and if it doesn’t look “quite right,” has a slightly different looking font, or the size of the type or shape of the ad is different than that on known original Red Wing pieces, you may be looking at a fake. If you’re well educated in Red Wing advertising and come across an advertising stamp that you’ve never seen before, Natynski recommends talking to other collectors to find out if they’ve ever seen similar examples. While it’s always possible to come across one of those rare examples that’s been tucked away for years, he advises buyers to proceed with caution before investing a large sum in a piece that a good number of experienced collectors have never seen before.

Larry Birks, President of the Trails West Chapter RWCS, underscores Natynkski’s advice and offers some additional information from his “Stoneware Fakes” seminar presented at the July 2010 RWCS Convention. He warns that there are five distinct types of faked stoneware that buyers need to be aware of: those with reproduction vinyl stickers, decals, paper or vinyl labels, and complete reproductions of old pieces. While most reproductions are marked by modern potters as such, there have been a few instances where unscrupulous sellers have ground off the new mark and tried to represent the piece as old. These pieces are relatively easy to detect, as buyers will see the ground-off area.
Sometimes buyers can tell a fake by the type of advertising on the stoneware. Birks said that obvious mismatches, such as whiskey advertising on a syrup jug or mineral water advertising on an open crock (which should instead be on a jug) are clear indications of new advertising added to old stoneware. In addition, buyers should exercise caution if the entire piece of stoneware is coated in the dirt of time except for the area where the advertising is located. Because an advertising piece with a factory mark can sell for up to quadruple the amount of an unmarked piece, fraudsters are adding advertising to old factory-marked stoneware; this emphasizes the importance of checking the legitimacy of any advertising piece.

Birks offers a couple of easy ways for buyers to detect fake advertising. Vinyl stickers tend to look authentic, but you can feel the edges if you run your fingers over the advertising. Even if the sticker has been coated to make it appear as if it’s underneath the glaze, you can still see the sticker’s edges in bright light. In the case of water-applied decals, you’ll see discoloration from age as well as scratches on the edges. Birks said that old paper labels are now being duplicated with inkjet printers. The presence of a paper label can increase the value of a stoneware piece, and while some labels are obvious reproductions, others are of high quality and even look aged. Buyers need to use extreme caution in order not to be fooled by these labels.

But the biggest problem is vinyl labels that are so thin and are being reproduced at such a high quality level that they’re almost impossible to detect if coated. Birks recommends looking at the piece in bright light or using a portable ultraviolet light, which will highlight the edges of the label. If the vinyl label hasn’t been coated, look for peeling edges; uncoated labels will also wash off. Gently scratching the label area will reveal both coated and uncoated vinyl labels.

As a final note, two pieces of Red Wing stoneware that are known to have been faked are the half pint brown-top jug with the miniature red wing and a miniature union logo, and the one gallon Red Wing shoulder jug with a number 1, red wing, and small union logo.

The original Red Wing Stoneware Company opened in 1876 and operated under several different names until finally closing its doors in 1967 as Red Wing Potteries. In the 1980s, a new Red Wing Stoneware Company located in Red Wing, Minnesota, opened for business creating its own wide-ranging line of stoneware; it’s important to note that this company is not in any way related to or descended from the original Red Wing Stoneware Company. However, the marks they use are very similar to those used by the original company, as are the shapes and designs they are producing, though the dimensions are different. This new company is not trying to deceive buyers into thinking they are purchasing vintage stoneware, but an unscrupulous seller could try to misrepresent their pieces to novice buyers, so it’s important to recognize the differences between the marks and sizes of the pieces.

All photos are of fakes and courtesy Rick Natynski. (To view photo visit original article posting http://www.antiquesandauctionnews.net/artdet.epc?uid=edsp003699)

At a glance:
Signs of a fake or reproduction:
1. Advertising marks that can be gently scraped off.
2. Advertising with fonts of the wrong size.
3. Advertising of the wrong type or shape.
4. Ground-off area where the maker’s mark should be.
5. Edges around advertising when exposed to bright or ultraviolet light.
6. Dirty stoneware with clean advertising area.
7. Advertising on the wrong shape stoneware.
Reference books and collecting groups are the best ways to keep from being fooled by fakes. Here are a few: Red Wing Collectors Society (www.redwingcollectors.org); Red Wing Collectors Society Foundation (www.rwcsfoundation.org); Red Wing Stoneware by Dan DePasquale; Bruce & Vicki Waasdorp’s American Pottery Auction Repro Alert (www.antiques-stoneware.com/reproalert.html).

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2010 Mailed Commemorative status update

2010 RWCS Commemorative

Mailing Update

The 34th Annual Convention Commemorative was a stoneware pig.
The commemoratives have traditionally been mailed before August 1st; however, with the high humidity in the Midwest this year Commemorative(s) production has been delayed. The high humidity causes the molds to dry slower before they can be used again to cast another piece.
Commemoratives have been in continuous production since February. The ratio of A,B,C’s has been consistent throughout the commemorative process. We are not making and additional pieces than what was ordered (3500) so the ratio will remain the same. I. E. mailed commemorative orders have same chance as an attendee to get any of the three versions.
We apologize for this unforeseen delay and expect commemoratives to begin shipping on August 9th. We expect that all commemoratives will be received by the end of August.
Thank you in advance for your patience and we are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

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RWCS Membership Elects New Board

RWCS Membership

Elects New Board Members

Red Wing, Minn. – In accordance with the RWCS Bi-Laws elections for the Executive Committee and Representatives at Large were held in June by mail and results were announced at the Annual Business Meeting on Friday, July 9th during the 2010 Convention at Red Wing High School in Red Wing, MN.

The following new officers were elected to RWCS Board of Directors:

Dan DePasquale – President

Ann Tucker – Vice President

John Sagat – Secretary

Mark Collins – Treasurer

Steve Brown – Historian

Russa Robinson – Representatives at Large

Jerry Erdmann – Representatives at Large

The RWCS Board and membership wish to thank the following past board members for their services Sue Jones Tagliapietra as President, Jolene McKoon as Vice President, and Paulette Floyd as Secretary. Their service and leadership will long be remembered by the membership.

We would also like to thank Diana Bailey for running for the position of Vice President and encourage all members to run for Board Positions in the future.

To read these new Board Members Bios please click here. To see photos of the new board please visit the about us page.

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Stoneware Stolen From Procks Crocks

Procks Crocks & Antiques

Earl, WI

 

DURING STORE HOURS MONDAY JUNE 19TH A NUMBER OF STONEWARE ITEMS WERE STOLEN FROM PROCKS CROCKS & ANTIQUES IN EARL WISCONSIN.

WILDFLOWER ROLLING PIN ELY MN. ADV.
WILDFLOWER ROLLING PIN MELROSE WI. ADV.


WILDFLOWER ROLLING PIN DORCHESTER WI. ADV.


RUST BAND ROLLING PIN STORY CITY IA. ADV.

2 OTHER RUST BAND IA. ADV. PINS

2 GALLON RED WING COOLER LID

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2010 Convention information

2010 Convention Information

Acres and Acres of Red Wing

July 8-10, 2010

Red Wing, MN

The RWCS Newsletter has hit the streets with all the Convention news, exciting auctions, and other information. So you can plan your Convention events in advance here is the latest information on Education Sessions, Kids View, Show and Sale, and so much more!

CROCK HUNT: Back by popular demand with more sites the Convention Crock Hunt through Red Wing. Find the 17 sites to win prize(s) at the picnic on Friday.

EDUCATION INFO:
Schedule Grid : Find out who is speaking and when on Friday, July 10
Session Descriptions and Speaker Bios : Learn more about speakers and topics

Kids View: Back to Basics – Check out the exciting events for the children at convention. They are starting at the beginning of Red Wing Potteries history of production..

Show and Sale Floor Plan : Over 150 sellers have contracted for tables at the Convention this year. You are sure to find something for your collection. Open to registered members at 9:00 a.m. sharp! The public is welcome at 10:30 a.m.

For those coming early to convention we have a number of events going on in the Community you don’t want to miss!

Cinema under the Stars: On Saturday, July 3rd there will be a free showing of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (rated PG) in Bay Point Park. Click here to learn more.

4th of July Central Park Band Shell – Celebrate the 4th of July at the Central Park band shell located between East and West Avenue. Beginning at 7:00 p.m. with the Sheldon Brass Band Concert.

Fireworks at dusk along the Mississippi River

Pottery Place Flea Market: On Sunday, July 4th: Come and see vendors of all kinds selling. There is sure to be pottery and stoneware at the sale.

Concerts in the Park: On Wednesday, July 8 the Red Wing Arts Association will kick off their FREE summer concert series in Central Park at the New Band Shell. Performing during Convention Week is "Generation II Big Band." Step back and come and hear this great music performance beginning at 7:00 pm. Click here to learn more.

Red Wing Arts Association Annual Garden Tour – Six area gardens, artists, musicians and master gardeners. Purchase a tour passport and support the RWAA. Tour several Red Wing gardens to see how individuals and Mother Nature create artistic displays of plants and space. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Red Wing Depot and Various Homes Fore more information call the Red Wing Arts Association at 651-388-7569. Tickets are $10.

Don’t forget about those auctions advertised in the newsletter. Click here to learn more.

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