The Big Four
If only stoneware could talk! You would hear some really interesting stories from pieces that go back as far as the late 1800s. Can you imagine the history associated with individual pieces used by some of the earliest European immigrants in the upper Mississippi River valley? Learning about the production, sale and use of just four categories of Red Wing stoneware gives one a tremendous insight into the culture of these people.
In order to study the production and identification of stoneware pieces you MUST have access to the three books listed as major references herein. The full name and abbreviations used are:
 | TEFFT - Red Wing Potters And Their Wares(2nd Edition) by Gary and Bonnie Tefft. |
| NEWKIRK MARKINGS - A Guide To Red Wing Markings-Book II by David Newkirk. |
| RW Stoneware - Red Wing Stoneware: An Identification and Value Guide by DePasquale and Peterson. |
Ordering information can be found on the Red Wing References page.
Examination of the four books Clay Giants, Red Wing Potters and Their Wares, Red Wing Stoneware, and A Guide to Red Wing Markings Book II gives an idea of the incredible array of products produced by the various Red Wing, MN, potteries to help satisfy the stoneware needs of people in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Most of these products were used to transport and store materials necessary for every day living.
The beginning of the mass production of stoneware in Red Wing, MN, in the late 1800s, is usually ascribed to the Red Wing Stoneware Company in 1877. The market for their products was so good that two other local companies were soon formed.
To the collector trying to categorize pieces from this early period of production, the variables in manufacturer, glaze, and markings makes it quite challenging. Major changes in production methods increases the possible piece characteristics. Consider the following:
To give some indication of the complexities involved please note that in category c above, hand made decorations, RWSC had at least eleven different ones, MSC had at least fourteen. In addition, in category e, bottom markings, RWSC had at least fifteen , MSC seventeen and even the short-lived NSSC had six. See Newkirk Markings for examples.
Remember, in this section the emphasis is on the early, pre-1906, stoneware pieces. You might want to look at the following references to help fill out the table below. See the references section in this site.
Assuming you have one of the four pieces listed above, what do you need to know about it to determine the value? Using the process below can help you narrow down the many variables.
IF THE WORD UNION APPEARS ON THE PIECE, SKIP TO SECTION II.
| Early crocks(jars)- p 37 Tefft |
| Early Churns- p 44 Tefft |
| Early coolers-p 34 Tefft, p 59 RW Stoneware |
| Early jugs- p 17 RW Stoneware |
I. Is it a Red Wing Stoneware, Minnesota Stoneware, or North Star piece?
A. See bottom markings
B. See side markings
|
II. Is it hand turned or molded? p 24,29 Tefft; pp 53, 143 RW Stoneware
III. Is it salt glazed, zinc(white) or albany slip?
| General glazing information-p 21 Tefft |
| Salt glaze-p 48 RW Stoneware for crocks |
| white-p 56 RW Stoneware for churns, p 67 Tefft, p 38 Newkirk Markings |
IV. What kind of decorations are on the sides of the piece?
| Minnesota Stoneware Co-pp 21-25 Newkirk Markings |
| Red Wing Stoneware Co-pp 9-15 Newkirk Markings |
| North Star Stoneware Co-p 35 Newkirk Markings |
| There are many color pictures in the RW Stoneware book. |
V. How big is it (gallonage)?
| Churns- p 53 RW Stoneware |
| Crocks- p 51 RW Stoneware |
| Jugs- p 17 RW Stoneware-shoulder jugs(six types), common jugs |
| Coolers-p 34 Tefft, color pictures in RW Stoneware |
Although a piece of stoneware without an original matching cover has a significant value, one with the correct lid is often more than twice as valuable. Tefft (pp 34,37,44,66,134) , Newkirk Markings (p 37) , and RW Stoneware (pp 144-150) all give valuable information on how to find the appropriate top to your crock, churn, or cooler. It cannot be overemphasized that many of these original covers are just as valuable as the piece they set upon. YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT MODERN DAY REPLICAS, IN NO WAY CONSIDERED TO BE COLLECTIBLE, ARE BEING PRODUCED.
Does this seem like a lot of possible combinations on the same piece? See p 52 of Newkirk Markings to see 31 churns, all with different markings!
Adding to the confusion for the collector of early stoneware are pieces with the word Union on the side markings. This marking indicates the piece was sold through a marketing consortium formed by the three companies; Red Wing Stoneware Co, Minnesota Stoneware Co and North Star Stoneware Co (p 90 Newkirk Markings) or by a later manufacturer, Red Wing Union Stoneware Co. The Union Stoneware pieces are described in this section, the latter ones are in Part III.
IF THE SIDE MARKINGS ON THE PIECE SHOW RED WING UNION STONEWARE, SKIP TO PART III.
The Union Stoneware Company did not have manufacturing capabilities, it was an office that sold products made by the three stoneware companies; RWSC, MSC and NSSC. When it was formed it saved the three companies money by cutting marketing costs. However, the main purpose was probably to present a united front on pricing, it prevented price wars among the three members.
One of the notable features agreed to among the three members was a product quota based on the factory outputs prior to the formation of the united marketing strategy. This left the relatively new NSSC with short shrift. This factor, along with a general down turn in the nationwide economy, contributed to the closing of the NSSC in 1896 (p 58 Tefft). NSSC sold most of the company assets to the two remaining local manufacturers.
So, to you as a collector, the NSSC has been removed as a source of pieces as of 1896. Some of the old molds were probably used until they wore out but since there is not way to date these pieces, any North Star piece is assumed to be made prior to the buy-out. Finding a piece of stoneware made by NSSC and marked with a Union Stoneware stamp would be the dream, as yet unfulfilled , of any collector.
This period of time then, from 1894-1906, Red Wing Stoneware Co and Minnesota Stoneware Co, began to phase out bottom and side markings of their individual companies. This was probably done gradually as the old molds wore out.
One of the descriptions used for the Union Stoneware era is the transition to modern times. The later in the era the piece was made the more likely it was to be:
During this transition period the cost of retooling meant the companies tended to use things until they were worn out rather than just scrapping expensive molds, etc. Thus interesting and valuable pieces that have characteristics that are a combination of the old and new forming, stamping, glazing and decorations can be found (pp 30-41 Newkirk Markings, pp 104 and 106 Tefft, p 49 RW Stoneware).
Pictures of specific examples of Union Stoneware pieces from the big four are shown as listed below:
| Crocks - RW Stoneware pp 49,51,52; Newkirk Markings pp 39-43; Tefft p 105 |
| Jugs - RW Stoneware 17, 33-36; Newkirk Markings 42; Tefft 108,109, 116 |
| Churns - RW Stoneware 56; Newkirk Markings 42,70; Tefft 105 |
| Coolers - RW Stoneware 64,66; Newkirk Markings 42,43; Tefft 107 |
LIDS - As mentioned in section I, the correct lid on a piece can affect the value tremendously. During the Union Stoneware period the old button handles were giving way to the bar type handles (p 134 Tefft). Tefft (pp 34,37,44,66,134) , Newkirk Markings (p 37) , and RW Stoneware (pp 144-150) all give valuable information on how to find the appropriate top to your crock, churn, or cooler. It cannot be overemphasized that many of these original covers are just as valuable as the piece they set upon. YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT MODERN DAY REPLICAS, IN NO WAY CONSIDERED TO BE COLLECTIBLE, ARE BEING PRODUCED.
IF THE OVAL SAYS RED WING POTTERIES, SKIP TO SECTION IV.
Highlights for crocks, jugs, churns, and coolers:
NOTE ON SIDE DECORATIONS - Remember that during the first few years of the RWUSC era, from about 1906 to 1909 the birch leaves were used as the side decoration. The red wing was not used until 1909.
NOTES ON OVALS - Get out you ruler and magnifying glass!
Tefft, on p 146, shows enlargements of most of the oval possibilities on the same page, even the round ones. Newkirk Markings also shows many of the variations possible. Eleven different ones are shown, notice the sometimes subtle differences in the size and print arrangement and style. If you are going to collect stoneware from this era you will need to become familiar with the possibilities.
NOTES ON WINGS - (Newkirk Markings pp 45-47, Tefft p 147)
The shrinking size of the radioactive wing stamp is attributed to the increasing expense and government regulations involved in obtaining the uranium ore used to make it( p 147 Tefft).
CROCKS - Getting A Handle On Things
A new feature of crocks (they were called jars then) that began during this era was the phasing out of the ear type handles. For a while during this time most of the crocks had no handles( pp 127,137 Tefft) . Then in late 1915 the bailed handles began to appear. The advertisements showed them (p 136 Tefft) on crocks, churns and coolers. Notice that the larger crocks had wooden handles over the wire whereas the 4 gallon crock and the churns and coolers had wire only.
JUGS -
Advertisements show (p 138 Tefft) that RWUSC offered at least 10 different jugs, some even had wing decorations. This era also saw the halt of production of hand turned beehive jugs (p 128 Tefft) and a change in the placement of the gallonage number on shoulder jugs (p 129 Tefft). It should be noted that the only stoneware piece with a bottom RWUSC stamp shown in the references used herein is shown on p 41 of RW Stoneware
CHURNS -
A close examination of the pictures of churns mentioned earlier in this section reveals two major changes during this era. This first is the change in the handle, with the ear type early, then no handles, and finally the bail handles. The second major change is the change in the shape, the later pieces having the same taper on the top and bottom half(pp 57-58 RW Stoneware).
COOLERS -
Notable changes during the RWUSC era are the handle style, shape, spigot type, and side decoration.
The change in handle style parallels that of crocks and churns; first the ear type, then none, and finally the bail type.
The pictures (RW Stoneware pp 65,66 ; p 130 Tefft; p 49 Newkirk Markings) show that coolers became more pot-bellied in the later years (Very much like some stoneware collectors!).
Close examination of the pictures of coolers mentioned earlier show that often the spigot is missing. Note that the older versions of coolers usually had a raised area around the hole where a wooden spigot was driven into it. The later versions that used the metal spigot usually do not have the raised area.
Also, notice the pictures (pp 65-66 RW Stoneware) show the side decoration or contents label changed. The earlier models show the ICE WATER label whereas the later ones say WATER COOLER. Finding one of these pieces with another label is a collector goal, notice that ICED TEA, BUTTERMILK and HOLY WATER are three variations shown in the pictures mentioned earlier.
LIDS - Some changes in this era are noteworthy:
The crock lids for the larger pieces now have a wire handle (p 137 Tefft). The bar type is used for the smaller crocks. The cooler lids (p 130 Tefft) were of a different size than those for crocks and had capacity mark on them. Close up pictures (pp 145, 148 RW Stoneware) shows the differences among the lids. Tefft (pp 34,37,44,66,134) , Newkirk Markings (p 37) , and RW Stoneware (pp 144-150) all give valuable information on how to find the appropriate top to your crock, churn, or cooler. It cannot be overemphasized that many of these original covers are just as valuable as the piece they set upon. YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT MODERN DAY REPLICAS, IN NO WAY CONSIDERED TO BE COLLECTIBLE, ARE BEING PRODUCED.
SOME GENERALIZATIONS ABOUT THE RWUSC ERA PIECES - (1906-1936) -
The changing needs of the consumer effected the name change for the factories in 1936. The demand for the big four stoneware items dropped precipitously as the life style of the consumers changed. By the 1940s (Tefft p 174) very little of the factory capacity was devoted to stoneware production. Dinnerware and artware became the major products.
Identification of pieces from this era is relatively easy, the side oval was changed to read Red Wing Potteries, Inc., Red Wing, MN. The wing continued to be of the smaller variety. The pictures available do not show any other notable changes (Tefft-p 175, Newkirk Markings-p 55).
Tefft (pp 34,37,44,66,134) , Newkirk Markings (p 37) , and RW Stoneware (pp 144-150) all give valuable information on how to find the appropriate top to your crock, churn, or cooler. It cannot be overemphasized that many of these original covers are just as valuable as the piece they set upon. YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT MODERN DAY REPLICAS, IN NO WAY CONSIDERED TO BE COLLECTIBLE, ARE BEING PRODUCED.
Has this four section introduction to early stoneware been exhaustive? No! That is why there are several books containing hundreds of pages of information in the reference section of this site. Hopefully, if your appetite is whetted for collecting stoneware, you will get the books and have years of enjoyment ahead.
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