From: Gary Tefft locustent@aol.com
Link:
Date: 13 Nov 2003
Time: 10:46:16
Bonnie had followed the threads regarding the mug on eBay (Item# 2669791347), but I was unaware of it until last evening, when a member phoned to ask our opinion. We consider the current explanation, while feasible, to remain unsubstantiated without provenance from a former committee chair. Knowing the circumstances of the production of the first two commemoratives eliminates those years, in my opinion. Peter Dineen of St Paul did the 1979 butter churn piece and I know that there were "experimental" pieces made, but the clay, glazes and decoration styles were completely different. Dave Hutchson, who did the 1980 Reed pattern bowl did not do hand-turning. No "experimental" pieces done while we chaired the committee between 1981 & '92, were hand-turned. By the end of our term the tradition of the commemorative being a representation of an actual Red Wing Piece had been effectively established and written into the committee charter. I'm pretty sure I've seen other pieces having the same sort of raised medallion on the side. The current Red Wing Stoneware Co., or its founder John Falconer, are possible sources. There have also been a number of other people making this manner of ware over the years, sometimes aimed at the giftware market and "unknown" to the collector community. -Gary-