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To the collector of Red Wing ware, having an identifying mark somewhere on the piece is of utmost importance. For the beginner this information tells you that the item was indeed produced by the Red Wing factories. The old pro knows, for many pieces, the mark can often be very important in determining the value.
See our reference section for details on the books mentioned below.
Newkirk dinnerware lists about 100 patterns for Red Wing dinnerware, some patterns had over two dozen pieces. This makes for lots of possible collectibles. For a look at the multitude of markings possible on dinnerware see the following:
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Newkirk Markings gives the best description of when the various marks were used. Four different wings are shown spanning the years from the 1930s to the 1960s. In addition, impressed or raised marks, similar to those on artware, were used on some dinnerware pieces. In later years many of the pieces were marked with a bottom stamp that indicated which pattern the piece was from.
An unusual dinnerware stamp is found on the Provincial 1963 line (p 41 Newkirk dinnerware). Some pieces have the name of the pattern impressed into the side similar in method to some of the old stoneware pieces. Occasionally, a dinnerware piece can be found with a date stamped on the bottom (p 68 Reiss). The one shown in the Reiss book was done with a surface stamp but some have been seen where the date is impressed into the piece. A rare Minnesota Stoneware mark on dinnerware is shown on p 119 of Tefft.
Complicating things somewhat, especially for the novice, is the fact that some dinnerware pieces have no mark at all. Cups are notorious among collectors for this characteristic.
With all the variables mentioned, it might seem to the beginner that there are just too many possibilities. Be assured that it does not take long to become adept at spotting shapes and patterns unique to Red Wing dinnerware. Before long you will only have to take a moment to glance at the plates in a stack to determine if there is a keeper.
See the reference section in this site for details about the books mentioned below.
The most comprehensive description of artware markings is in found in Reiss, pp 111-117. Turning to these pages you will find information about:
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Both text and lots of color photos are given in this comprehensive chapter.
Dollen has photos and text on bottom markings (pp 11,14,15) and stickers (p 13).
Newkirk Markings has black and white photos on pp 48,55-58, and 69.
If you are just starting to collect Red Wing artware, you should also study the Reiss price guide to examine how a mark and value are often related. Some collectors will pay a premium for pieces with a particular mark.
Probably the most complicated of the markings possibilities, because of the many variables, is this category.
Please see the reference section for details about the books mentioned below.
Many of the stoneware markings involve several different company name possibilities:
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Examine both the sides and bottom of the piece and try to find:
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| RWSC | MSC | NSSC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newkirk Markings | pp 16-19 | pp 26-28 | p 37 |
| RW Stoneware | pp 151-152 | pp 153-155 | p 155 |
| RWSC | MSC | NSSC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newkirk - indented | p 16 | pp 26, 29, 32 | p 35 |
| Tefft - indented | p 23 | p 23 | N/A |
| RW Stoneware - stencil | p 43 | N/A | N/A |
| Oval - New kirk | N/A | p 29 | N/A |
| Oval - Tefft | N/A | p 103 | N/A |
| Script - Newkirk | N/A | p 32 | N/A |
4. A red wing.
If you have a piece of stoneware that has one or more of the markings listed above, go to the stoneware section of the gallery in this site for further information.
An area very popular with collectors is kitchenware. If it could be used to help preserve, store, cook, or serve food, a Red Wing stoneware company probably made it. Over 50 pages with color photos and prices can be found in RW Stoneware, listed in the reference section of this site. Two marks unique to kitchenware pieces, Red Wing Oven Ware and Red Wing Saffron Ware, are shown on p 156 of this same book.
The North Star Stoneware Co, best known for items in this category, used various star markings on their pieces (Newkirk Markings-p 37, Tefft-pp 59-66, RW Stoneware-p 155).
Also, the multitude of marks for the larger pieces (crocks,etc.) can sometimes be found on kitchenware pieces (pp 151-156 RW Stoneware).
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