From: Cheryle
Location: Minnesota
Date: 4/27/00
Time: 8:36:27 AM
Paul, I mentioned Lyndon because he was a friend of Rustys who also knew about the dump digs, written information, and pictures. I didn't say his book didn't have errors, but like I said before-"experts" or "authors" go by the "proof" they have at the time. If we are talking about authors, and their ability to know everything, and this is NOTHING against Reiss, he's a great guy, but he is only a limited collector and knows very little about all of what Red Wing made, but he does know how to take great pictures. Yet everyone assumes he knows everything there is to know about Art Pottery. This was evident at the convention when we overheard someone say they had a lamp they were going to take a picture of and show Ray so that he could tell them if it was RW or not. Ray is a photographer, and he's done great things for the hobby by his wonderful books, but I'm sure if you asked him he would also be the first to tell you he is no expert. I've talked with Rusty and listened to his experience of digging in the dumps in late 1970's and know that the limited pictures and pieces were donated to the Society in good faith to do with they wanted to. Thats the last he's seen of them. Like I said before, contact someone thats been around the society since the beginning and then you can have all the "proof" you need. I'm know for a fact Rusty is not taking the attitude of "I've seen it but won't show anyone". He is just down right sick of the attitude of all involved and I can't blame him. Everything he's done for the soceity has gone in one ear and out the other. This is evident when he tried to get the society to buy the land the old dump was on. Nobody was interested and now the city has covered it up. Now I'm not a member of a lot of collectors clubs, but even in my limited stupidity do not believe that any other club would let the city cover up a HUGE piece of Red Wing History. Enough said, I've said all that needs to be said because I know how this whole system works. I don't want to be a part of it, but I also will not stand by and watch someone that has given this much time and effort be shot down because of the smellme's in the Society. Sigh. BTW, Do you know of anything in your great books about the Red Wing High School and St Cloud Tech schools that bought the molds and used them in their art classes? That is where all these so called "lunch hour" pieces come from. The truth be known workers in the past did not have time to make all these " lunch hour" pieces like the ones showing up all over the place. I met and talked to the art teacher in Red Wing, who at one time had over 200 original red wing molds that they used for their class. I guess I don't remember seeing that in any of these "bibles" but thats also a "fact". I'm done-no more will be said by me because I'm not going to argue. I've gotten to the point where I understand the pig enjoys the mud. (only people that have heard that joke will understand that)grin. Toodles!