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