From: Gary Tefft / locustent@aol.com
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Date: 27 Oct 1998
Time: 23:19:22
When you say that you have a Grover Cleveland Vase, what do you mean? Specifically, what does it look like? What inscriptions or identification information does it carry? Is it glazed, bare or decorated by painting? President Grover Cleveland and his popular, young bride took a transcontinental railroad tour in the Fall of 1887. As their train passed through Red Wing, a custom-made gift box containing a specially inscribed vase was hoisted on-board; a gift to Mrs. Cleveland from the employees of the Red Wing Stoneware Company. It was with great pride that the letter acknowledging the gift was displayed for years to come. Copies of the vase were produced and non-inscribed versions of it became known as "The Cleveland Vase". Derivations of the vase remained in the product line at least into the 1930's, perhaps until the end of stoneware production in 1947. Any of these could be properly refered to as "Cleaveland Vases". Some are rare, others not so much, so you see how important it is to give a detailed description.
A photo of an inscribed example and copies of newspaper accounts of the Presidential appearance and gift presentation are shown on pages 93 & 92 of Red Wing Potters & Their Wares. Later derivations of the vase are shown on pages 167 and 170. Values are listed in the companion Price Guide. Ordering information for the book and the Price Guide are found on the Referance page of this web site, or http://members.aol.com/locustent.
Are you related to or acquainted with Beverly Radkey?
Bonus Question: What popular candy bar was named after Mr. & Mrs. Cleveland's first child? Answer: Baby Ruth (I bet that you thought it was named after the ball player who became popular a few decades later; didn't you?)