How to Collect Red Wing Pottery

If you love pottery, you should consider collecting Red Wing Pottery. For almost 100 years, Red Wing Pottery has brought beauty and quality workmanship to their pottery creations. The Red Wing companies have produced a variety of items, including jugs, bowls, spittoons, bird baths, urns, flower pots, vases, mugs, cooking pots and figurines. Red Wing pottery is valued by collectors for its beauty and the simplicity of its design.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Information on Red Wing pottery

1. Buy a Red Wing collector's guide, such as the "Collectors Encyclopedia of Red Wing Art Pottery: Identification & Values" by B.L. and R.L. Dollen. This is available at most local bookstores or from websites such as Amazon.

2. Learn as much as possible about the designs, signatures and marks of Red Wing pottery, in order to identify the era of the piece and to ensure its authenticity.

3. Join a Red Wing collector's group, such as Redwing Collectors (see link in Resources) to share your interests and experiences with other collectors.

4. Attend antique shows, collectible shows and estate auctions in your area to find a Red Wing piece to add to your collection.

5. Visit local antique and collectible shops and let the owners know that you are a Red Wing collector. They will keep that in mind when they go on buying trips, or to auctions and other shops.

6. Browse online auction sites and antique and collectible shops searching for Red Wing pottery for sale.

7. Remember to check out flea markets, thrift stores and garage sales. There's always a chance of finding a Red Wing pottery treasure.

Tips & Warnings

• Red Wing pottery was produced from 1877 to 1967 under five different names: Red Wing Stoneware Company, Minnesota Stoneware Company, North Star Stoneware Company, Union Stoneware Company, Red Wing Union Stoneware Company and Red Wing Potteries.
• Display your Red Wing pottery so that you can enjoy it, instead of storing it away.
• Dust your pottery to keep it clean.
• You can wash glazed Red Wing pottery that has not been restored. Just use a mild dish soap and water.
• Use sticky tape to display pottery on shelves.
• Never soak pottery that has not been glazed, as it will absorb water. Instead, wipe the piece using warm water and mild dish soap on a soft cloth.
• Never wash pottery that has heavy crazing or flaking.
• If your pottery piece is restored or repaired do not soak it, instead wipe it carefully.

Resources

• Go here for excellent information on red wing pottery
• Go here to find collector's guides