From: Gary Tefft / locustent@aol.com
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Date: 23 May 1999
Time: 22:00:21
Mark, I awoke in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat, with the horrible feeling that I had given you bad information. I said that your piece was probable made between about 1917 and 1930, based upon the size of the oval. The 2-7/8 inch ovals were actually the type used between 1906 and a while before 1917. The ovals then shrunk slightly to 2-1/4 inches, until about 1930, when they shrunk again. If it where to also have the red wing decoration, the age range could be further narrowed to 1909-1917, as 1909 was the first year of its use. The presence of a wing would enhance the value. That it is 10 or so years older that I originally stated doesn't affect the value very much, unless the oval is the "ski oval", so named because it has a curled line between the upper "Red Wing" and the next line that looks something like a ski. This oval also has four lines, with "CO." on a line below "Union Stoneware". The other three known oval styles in this size have "Union Stoneware Co." on the same line. Sorry for the mis-statement. I feel better now. -Gary-