Red Wing is an old and prestigious pottery manufacture. It has been in business since 1868 to 1967. Stoneware is still sold under the Red Wing label. The pottery produced by Red Wing both old and new is very collectible. There is a special way of estimating the value of some antique and new Red Wing Stoneware. The method is based on weight and figuring value of a crock based on values per gallon the crock holds. An example is you were purchasing a newer beehive job that held three to five gallons the jug would cost between $125 and $175 dollars. This method can help you get a ball park figure of cost of many of Red Wing Stoneware’s crocks.
Other things of course influences the price of Red Wing Stoneware causing a specific piece to cost more or less so you need to do a lot of research on a specific piece you may be considering purchasing . Obviously, the age of the piece matters. Victorian or early twentieth century pieces will cost considerably more than new pieces.
The condition of the piece maters pieces that have been repaired or show any sign of wear or cracking lose value. Rare pieces also will cost you more money. Recently two rare pieces of Red Wing Stoneware sold for over thirty five thousand dollars. Obviously, this is a collectable line because pieces you can purchase now at a very reasonable price are viewed as most likely going up in value over the upcoming years.
It is practical to use Red Wing Stoneware. It is very durable and that accounts for its popularity that has lasted over a century. Their dishes are renowned gore their colorful beauty and their casseroles and bake ware has stood the test of time. They of course offer very callable lines of vases and figurines so Red Wing Stoneware can be perfect for the niche pottery collector.
“Collectors Encyclopedia of Red Wing Art Pottery: Identification & Values” by B.L. and R.L. Dolan is a good book to purchase from the internet or at a local large books store chain. If you know what you’re looking for you can find very voluble pieces of Red Wing Stoneware at flea markets and estate sales. You must be diligent to learn how to evaluate a piece of pottery that may show wear to make sure you are getting the real thing and that the piece actually has collectible value.
When the pottery and stoneware of David Hallam became widely popular in 1868 when a large factory was founded; people were making copies from the beginning. The original pottery and that made today has a unique Red Wing stamp that indicates its age and where it was produced. The markings are under the glaze and usually on a part of the pottery that cannot be seen. The earliest pieces of Red Wing Stoneware were produced in Minnesota. There are many reproductions of Red Wing Stoneware out in the market place and you must do your research to make sure the piece you are getting in authentic.
Red Wing is sold on eBay and many pieces can be brought, especially dinnerware and small figurines for under a $100. If you plan to invest thousands in a piece of Red Wing Stoneware you are best to have the piece evaluated by an expert or at least consult other serious Red Wing Stoneware collectors.
http://www.redwingnet.com/
http://www.redwingcollectors.org/
