Eva Zeisel 1906 - 2011 RWCS CONTACTS

Vol. 37 No. 1 February 2012

RWCS BUSINESS OFFICE In PO Box 50 • 2000 Old West Main St. • Suite 302 Pottery Place Mall • Red Wing, MN 55066-0050 651-388-4004 or 800-977-7927 • Fax: 651-388-4042 This Executive Director: STACY WEGNER [email protected] Administrative Assistant: VACANT Issue...... [email protected] Web site: www.redwingcollectors.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Page 3 News Briefs, About the Cover President: DAN DEPASQUALE 2717 Driftwood Dr. • Niagara Falls, NY 14304-4584 Page 4 2012 Convention Updates, 2012 Display Room 716-216-4194 • [email protected] Page 5 RWCS 35th Anniversary Committee News

Vice President: ANN TUCKER Page 6 Collector Profile: Pat Stambaugh 1121 Somonauk • Sycamore, IL 60178 Page 8 Eva Zeisel: A Maker of Useful Things 815-751-5056 • [email protected] Page 10 Intro to Dinnerware: Red Wing’s Casual Line Secretary: JOHN SAGAT 7241 Emerson Ave. So. • Richfield, MN 55423-3067 Page 11 What Is It? An Update on a Mysterious Ball Jug 612-861-0066 • [email protected] Page 12 2012 RWCS Elections: Meet the Candidates

Treasurer: MARK COLLINS Page 12 2012 RWCS Auction Submission Form 4724 N 112th Circle • Omaha, NE 68164-2119 age hapter ews etters to the ditor 605-351-1700 • [email protected] P 15 C N , L E Page 16 What’s New at Your Museum? RWCSF News Historian: STEVE BROWN 2102 Hunter Ridge Ct. • Manitowoc, WI 54220 920-684-4600 • [email protected] MEMBERSHIP Representative at Large: RUSSA ROBINSON 1970 Bowman Rd. • Stockton, CA 95206 A primary membership in the Red Wing Collectors Society is 209-463-5179 • [email protected] $25 annually and an associate membership is $10.

Representative at Large: JERRY ERDMANN There must be at least one primary member per household in order to have W15416 Fair-Morr Rd. • Tigerton, WI 54486 associate membership. Members can pay for more than one year when renewing 715-535-2094 • [email protected] their membership. Contact the RWCS Business Office for additional details.

Auction Manager: TODD AVERY 29361 Flower Valley Rd. • Red Wing, MN 55066 651-592-3008 • [email protected] NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Commemorative Manager: BOB MORAWSKI 2130 S. Ridgeway Dr. • New Berlin, WI 53146 RWCS Member Rick Natynski 262-853-8269 • [email protected] PO Box 198 Pewaukee, WI 53072 Education Manager: GLENN BEALL [email protected] • 414-416-WING (9464) 215 W. 7th St. • Logan, IA 51546-1221 712-644-2256 • [email protected] The Red Wing Collectors Society, Inc. Newsletter is published bi-monthly by the Red Wing Collectors Society, Inc. Suite 300 • 2000 West Main Street Red Wing, MN 55066. July Convention Support Personnel: Phone: 651-388-4004 Fax: 651-388-4042 Pre-registration – Jim & Joyce Sutherland www.redwingcollectors.org AND jIM & kAREN kEYS Postmaster: Send address change to: Red Wing Collectors Society, Inc. Newsletter Show & Sale – VACANT PO Box 50 • Red Wing, MN 55066. USPS 015-791; ISSN 1096-1259. [email protected] Copyright © 2012 by the Red Wing Collectors Society, Inc. All rights reserved. Display Room – lAURA Beall The Red Wing Collectors Society, Inc. does not guarantee 605-464-5941 • [email protected] the accuracy of articles submitted by individual members. News Briefs RWCS Member to be Featured on Discovery’s “How It’s Made” ave Huebner, member of the RWCS and the Siouxland Redwingers Chapter, Dwill be featured on an upcoming episode of the Discovery Channel’s Science Channel show “How It’s Made.” Huebner, who owns Dakota Stoneware Pottery in Bushnell, SD, was interviewed last September about pipes he makes in the style of American Indians. Already a fan of the show, Huebner was contacted by show producers looking to do a segment on pipes made in colonial times. (They first contacted the Pipestone “They first of all should be National Monument, which passed along Huebner’s name.) He occasionally makes useful and then beautiful, these clay pipes for actors portraying tribal people or European settlers in films or because what good is a beautiful reenactments set in the colonial period. He made three different types of pipes for piece that you can’t use?” the show. – Eva Zeisel on designing At the time of the interview, Huebner was told his episode wouldn’t run for several months. “How It’s Made” first aired in Canada in 2000 and is syndicated About the Cover in the U.S. and nearly 30 other countries. Upcoming episode topics and more information about can be found at www.science.discovery.com. o one can say For more info on Dakota Stoneware, check out www.dakotastoneware.com or Nthat Eva Zeisel read the article that featured Huebner in the June 2009 RWCS Newsletter. didn’t take advantage of the time she was New Type of Fake Advertising Reported given. She died on WCS Member Larry Birks, who has become an expert in detecting fake Dec. 30 at the age of Radvertising stoneware, recently reported that a new type of fake has surfaced 105, but not before with new ink ads applied to an old piece of stoneware via a rubber stamp. touching millions “Running a knife over the inked label didn’t damage the label, so the faked pieces of people with her were deemed good,” he says. “It was only after the pieces were being cleaned up that designs. Turn to page the ink began to run and disappear, leaving the stoneware without part of the label. 8 to learn about her So now we have a new way to check for fakes besides scratching the surface. ‘Wet’ incredible life. a thumb and rub over the label. The ink supposedly is water soluble and will break As mentioned in the down and come off.” December RWCS If anyone has a photo of a piece with this type of fake applied ad, pleased e-mail Newsletter, a story on them to [email protected]. Red Wing’s enormous ornamental lawn Prototypes for Eva Zeisel’s Help Us Grow the RWCS planters was planned Modular Ceramic “Belly f you are planning to set up at flea markets, attend auctions, travel to antiques for this issue. However, Button” Wall Dividers, Ishows or sell Red Wing on eBay, please consider contacting the business office due to the unexpected 1958. Photo courtesy of Brent C. Brolin. to request RWCS marketing supplies. We’re happy to send you membership coverage of Zeisel, it brochures, past RWCS Newsletters and forms to sign people up for free trial will now run in the April issue. memberships. Just call the office early enough to leave enough time for shipping. For much more on Zeisel, including a detailed Calling All Web Surfers! chronology of her life, visit the Eva Zeisel Forum requent visitors to the RWCS website will be happy to hear that a new, shorter at www.evazeisel.org. Membership is $30 and FURL can be used to access the site; www.erwcs.org is now operational! It takes includes many benefits, such as access to past you to www.redwingcollectors.org, but is much easier and quicker to key in. issues of the club’s newsletter, a discussion board, Also, the RWCS is looking for a few web savvy people to help with its Facebook a verification service and the opportunity to page, Twitter account, blog and website content. If you have interest in helping purchase limited-edition Zeisel items. spread the word about the RWCS via the internet through blogging (article writing), micro blogging (140 characters about the RWCS and pottery), videos, Zeisel’s presentation at the 2000 RWCS photos, etc., please call the office. We can help you set up anonymous profiles to Convention was recorded on VHS and is part promote the RWCS online. of the RWCS Video Library. It will soon be available on DVD. Contact RWCS Executive Business Office Seeks Volunteers Director Stacy Wegner to check it out. he RWCS Business Office needs local members to help with member mailings, Convention forms and other office projects. Many tasks can be done in the To view early photos of Zeisel and her T work, visit www.brentcbrolin.com/ comfort of your own home. Interested in volunteering? Contact Stacy today! BrentCBrolin/Eva_Zeisel_Archive.html. 3 Convention Update

Stacy Wegner Executive 2012 Display Room Update Director isplayers were at the top of their game in 2011. The Display Room at last Dyear’s RWCS Convention was fantastic, but with 2012 being the RWCS’ 35th Happy 35th Anniversary, Red Wing Collectors Anniversary, we’re looking to do even better this year. If you’ve ever walked through the Society! In January, the 35th Anniversary room and thought to yourself that you could put together an awesome display, make Committee held several meetings in Red Wing; the this your year. The opportunity to display is open to all members, but be sure to sign committee is planning so many fun activities for up early – space is limited. the Convention. Check out the next page for all the awesome events! Categories are Art Pottery, Stoneware, Dinnerware, Memorabilia and Art Pottery. Remember, not only is this an opportunity to show off your favorite Red Wing The 2012 Registration Forms are included in this to the entire Society, but winners in each category are also eligible for a Special issue. New to the RWCS website this year, we also Commemorative! If you’re ready to join in the fun, contact Laura Beall at have an interactive Convention Registration Form [email protected] for full rules, information and a Display that does the math for you. You can either e-mail it Agreement. to the office or print a hard copy and mail it. Of course, we also have the online registration 2012 Convention News & Notes option. Registering online is quick and easy and Crock Hunt: The 4th Annual RWCS Crock Hunt is being extended. Forms can saves the business office a lot of time by reducing now be dropped off at the Membership Table at the Show & Sale on Saturday. paperwork. And since you pay by credit card this way, it also saves us time by reducing the number There will be two prize groups: one for participants who made it to all the sites, of checks we need to deposit. As of this year, we no and one for participants who didn’t get to all of them. Prizes will be awarded in longer charge a handling fee for using your credit Downtown Dollars and Chamber Bucks. card! You can also register by phone and use your Volunteers: All departments for Convention are in need of volunteers: 35th credit card that way. Anniversary Committee, Auction, Commemorative, KidsView, Show & Sale, There are a few items on the registration form that Registration, Display, Education and so much more. Whether you want to help I would like to draw your attention to: set up, improve or clean up after, we need your help. Please contact Stacy at the 1. There is separate registration for KidsView RWCS Business Office. If you’re not sure where you want to help, she’ll find and Young Collectors Club participants. something for you. 2. Survey questions: There are three survey questions for each member to fill out that RWCS Auction Form: Yours can be found on page 13 of this issue. Members are ask for the year you joined, age demographics encouraged to submit photos of their pieces this year. Some of the photos received and collectors interest. will be included in the June newsletter. The auction submission deadline is May 3. 35th Anniversary events: Please tell us the 15th! Send in your submissions by removing the form or making a copy for mailing. total number of registered attendees that are You can also e-mail the information to [email protected]. coming to each event. We need headcounts for these free events. Show & Sale Sellers: Let’s make the 35th Anniversary Convention Show & Sale 4. Banquet ticket price reduction and location bigger than last year! Tables are $45 again this year, so think about setting up at the change: The Saturday banquet will be held at high school. Stacy will announce the new Show & Sale chairperson very soon. If Provenzano’s in the Pottery Place Annex. you would like to volunteer to assist the new chairperson, please contact the office. Adults $20, Children $10 – all you can eat! Brown Jug of Membership Trophy: Thank you to all the RWCS members and There’s more information about this year’s chapters that have referred new members to the RWCS. Don’t forget that all Convention to the right of this page. chapters are in the running to gain bragging rights to the Little Brown Jug of Finally, I hope everyone who attended the Membership at Convention. Get out there and talk about the RWCS at auctions, MidWinter GetTogether had a blast! Since this flea markets, shows, etc. Remember, members are our best marketing team! issue of the newsletter always goes to the printer before the event, we’ll have lots of MidWinter Convention Street Banners: We are accepting orders for new street banners; coverage in the April issue. please get your order in by May 15th to ensure it is hung for the 35th Anniversary Convention. 4 The Red Wing Collectors Society’s 35th Anniversary Convention July 12-14, 2012

News From the 35th Anniversary Committee lans are in place…. The details Capsule will be opened on the 50th Pare being worked out….The 35th Anniversary. Anniversary Celebration is guaranteed be a fun-filled weekend for everyone. If you The party continues at the Red Wing High haven’t been to Convention in awhile, grab School with an old-fashioned anniversary a friend and come to Red Wing in July. party!!! The high school food service staff will be cookin’ up an old-fashioned We’re planning activities that will bring Pig-Pickin, Pork & Turkey BBQ with you an exciting new RWCS Convention all the fixin’s. More details to come. An experience. Let’s kick off the fun with the anniversary party wouldn’t be complete FREE Welcome Breakfast on Thursday, without a cake. Join us in the high school 2012 Convention News & Notes July 12, in the Red Wing High School commons for the anniversary cake cutting KIDSVIEW Commons. Be sure to RSVP on your ceremony. 2012: WE’RE Convention registration form so we know JUGGLING! The 35th Anniversary Celebration that you’re coming. There will be music Parents, be continues Friday night…. Join us at Red and a ceremony honoring RWCS Charter sure to sign up Wing’s Central Park from 5 to 9 p.m. Members. What a great way to reconnect your children for “CROCKFEST” – a festival for the with your Red Wing family! for KidsView whole family. The 35th Anniversary when you Be sure to stay around after the keynote Committee has partnered with the Red register for speaker Thursday for the memorial balloon Wing Convention & Visitors Bureau, Convention. We’ve got some great release honoring departed members of Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce, activities planned and we need to our Red Wing family. Reps at Large Red Wing Downtown Main Street and know how many kids will participate Jerry Erdmann and Russa Robinson will the Red Wing Arts Association to bring so we have enough supplies on hand. coordinate this activity and are looking together a festival of food, local artists, for volunteers. The Red Wing High a live pottery demonstration and live School Cafeteria staff is joining in on the bands. We’ll have special activities and Calling all celebration by providing a freshly updated games for kids including face painting RWCS Young lunch menu including options for kids. and a special clay modeling area hosted by Collectors Scott Gilmer from Red Wing Pottery & ages 13-20! The activities on Friday, July 13, will start Sales. Friday night has traditionally been Watch the website early. Join us to commemorate the burial a time for RWCS Chapter parties. The and check out the of the RWCS 35th Anniversary Time 35th Anniversary Committee would like next newsletter Capsule. The capsule will be buried at 8:30 to invite the chapters to bring your party for details about a.m. by the North Star Monument located to Central Park this year and enjoy the the exciting activities planned for the near the AmericInn on Old West Main activities. This will be an event you won’t 2012 Convention. And don’t forget to Street in Red Wing. The 35th Anniversary want to miss!!!! register yourself for the RWCS Young Committee will soon contact members Collectors Club activities on the and chapters for items to be included in Watch the RWCS Newsletter and the Convention Pre-registration form! the capsule. The 35th Anniversary Time website for more details.

New to Convention: The Red Wing E-Z Pass: A special offer from the Red Wing Watch for details about a special gift for Area Chamber of Commerce, this card provides RWCS members with discounts or Convention attendees who have been percentage savings at local merchants for gas, food and other merchandise. RWCS members for 10 years or more!

www.redwingcollectors.org 5 An avid boater, one of Pat’s friends made him the jug above right. It Collector Profile: says “Compliments of P&L Stambaugh Boatworks, Lake City, MN.” The Sam Sax Pat Stambaugh adv. jug from Story & photos by Rick Natynski Hibbing, Pat’s collection of advertising stoneware is remarkable MN. pictured to say the least. Much of it comes from Northern s collectors of some of the finest stoneware above and the RW “Rocky Minnesota, where he and his wife, Mary Lou, lived for and pottery ever made, it’s difficult for Red 21 years before moving to Lake City, Minn. – about A Mountain Root 17 miles south of Red Wing. Wing enthusiasts to think about letting go of the Beer” mug at things we hold so dearly. Some people decide left are the only ones Pat has to divest of their collection when they reach seen in 30 years retirement age, while others plan to hold on to it of collecting. their entire life and leave it behind for family to and attending his first RWCS Convention, he keep or sell. realized he needed to pick a few areas to specialize For RWCS Member Pat Stambaugh, the decision in. to sell his Red Wing collection via auction came “I started out with greyline and advertising, then easy. The timing, however, was a different story. added spongeware,” he says. “Then I collected He knew he wasn’t ready to let it all go. a set of wing crocks with lids, sold them, and “Another collector told me they scheduled their started over on wing crocks with ski ovals.” auction six years out, and although it seemed forever away, it came quickly,” Pat says. “So I Pat also developed an interest in blue-banded scheduled mine 10 years out to have time to get pieces – primarily pantry jars, butter crocks, used to it.” mugs, Success Filters and spittoons. Thirty years later, Pat’s collection is one that’s rich in quality. That was nine years ago; his auction will As the photos on these pages show, he has many take place during the 2013 Convention desirable and rarely seen advertising jugs and Week. Pat recently sat down and crocks – most of which are from his old stomping shared memories and stories from 30 grounds of Northern Minnesota. years of collecting. In addition to collecting, Pat says he has enjoyed It all began in 1982. He setting up at the RWCS Convention Show & Sale and his wife, Louy, for nearly 30 years. While the main reason he had already been continues to set up is to see old friends, he’s made The collecting things many sales over the years and he’s also received greyline like oak furniture many leads. To this day, one of his only regrets is pitcher that and antiques for not following up on the first lead he got. A person started a few years when it all he learned that for Red Wing made a Pat. greyline pitcher with advertising from Grand Rapids, Minn. He placed a wanted ad in the local shopper newspaper and amazingly got a call the day after the paper came out. Before he knew it, he had purchased three pieces of greyline in three days. He was a collector. Pat started picking up whatever he could find, but after scouring 6 the few Red Wing books that existed from the Mayo Clinic attended the Show & Sale back in the mid-1980s and asked Pat if he’d be interested in buying approximately a thousand 20 gallon Red Wing crocks. “At the time, 20 gallon crocks were sitting in antique shops for about $70 apiece and the thought of buying a thousand of them was inconceivable,” he recalls. “I never stopped to think about going to look at them to see if any were salt glaze, or if any had lids.” Years later, Pat learned what happened to the crocks. A son of a friend was hired as an intern in the Mayo Clinic lab, and heard the following story when touring the facility. “Mayo Clinic was changing its lab storage jars to plastic bags and containers,” Pat says. “No one came forward with enough interest in buying the crocks, and ultimately they decided to destroy them because most were interested in breweriana even longer than he’s “There were two main breweries in Red Wing used to hold formaldehyde and body parts. collected stoneware. that operated under several different names The funny part is that the plastic bags have over the years,” Pat says. “One was the Red “It started with enameled glass beer glasses,” leaked ever since and are not popular.” Wing Brewing Co., Cokins and Midwest Pat says. “If I didn’t have the glass, I bought it. Brewing Co. The other was Jacob Christ, Pat now works at the Mayo Clinic and is often Ten plus years later, I learned there were more Zimmerman & Featherstone, Remmler’s and reminded of the story when he sees the lone than 200 Hamm’s glass variations alone, and the Goodhue County Brewing Co.” 20 gallon crock kept by the clinic. It’s used as 500 breweries had operated in Wisconsin. So, a planter for a small birch tree. I decided to specialize in Minnesota items and So now that Pat’s auction is drawing near, is he One of the reasons Pat decided nearly a decade eventually expanded beyond glasses.” comfortable with the thought of letting all his ago to sell his collection is that there’s one That expansion included beer signs, coasters, stoneware go? thing he loves more than Red Wing. (Well, crowns (bottle caps) and then etched glasses. “I often wonder about keeping it all, but will two things if you count his wife.) He’s been In 2010 he stopped collecting enamel glasses; pass it on for others to enjoy,” he says. But now he mostly focuses on hard- don’t expect him to quit cold turkey. Pat says to-find pre-prohibition pieces and he’ll remain in the RWCS and has a feeling items from the 1930s to the ‘50s. he’ll continue picking up good stoneware Pat also has more than 500 when the opportunity presents itself. advertising bottle openers; he “There are four or five spongeware pieces I started collecting them when never had a chance to get,” he says. “A mint trying to find one from one of Sleepy Eye pitcher would have been neat also.” the Red Wing breweries. The Red Wing items tie his stoneware and It sounds like Pat is already on his way to breweriana collections together. starting over....

Pictured here is a small sampling of Pat’s extensive and impressive collection of Minnesota brewery memorabilia. www.redwingcollectors.org 7 “Of all the materials I’ve worked described as the most elegant time in her life. with, ceramics is my favorite “I would have parties for 100 people – writers, because I can feel it with my scientists, artists,” she once said. “Most of them hands.” – Eva Zeisel felt the weight of the world was on their shoul- ders. It was exciting, but also very decadent.” Eva visited Russia in 1932 to experience the new artistic and social movements there. She was soon offered a position assisting in the modernization of the ceramic industry and she traveled the country to coordinate efforts to create a central manufactory that would make products for the homes of everyday citizens. Her efforts recognized, she was soon transferred to the Lomonosov factory (once Imperial Porcelain). This led to her appoint- ment as Artistic Director for the Porcelain and

Eva Zeisel: A maker of useful things talismanPHOTO Glass Industries for the entire country. Story by Rick Natynski, with biographical assistance from the Eva Zeisel Forum (www.evazeisel.org) In 1936, however, she was caught up in one s the designer of Red Wing’s Town & Although she was often characterized as an of the first Stalinist purges, accused of plot- ACountry line, Eva Zeisel is often described industrial designer or an artist, Zeisel wanted ting against Stalin. She was imprisoned in the as one who was far ahead of her time. Type her to be known as a maker of useful things. “Art NKVD prison for 16 months, most of the name into a web search and you’ll be greeted has more ego to it than what I do,” she once time in solitary confinement where she was by a seemingly endless supply of articles about told the New Yorker. Rather than conform to subjected to early forms of brainwashing and the life and times of one of the most important the sometimes cold aspects of modern design, torture. (Lifelong friend Arthur Koestler based designers of the 20th century who never she injected a sense of lightheartedness and his book Darkness at Noon on her experiences.) allowed herself to be constrained by trends. In humor into her work through the use of fact, she often ended up setting them. sensuous, classic and curvy shapes. Whether “The accusation I was arrested on was that I had creating an object made of clay, glass, wood, successfully prepared an onslaught on Stalin’s Eva long influenced and inspired fellow de- metal or plastic, she often described her work life,” Eva once said. “When I asked them how signers with her creations and will undoubt- as “a playful search for beauty.” successful it could have been, considering he edly do so for years to come, even though her was alive, they said, ‘Don’t make bad jokes!’” light went out as 2011 was coming to a close. Eva’s early years She died on Dec. 30 at the age of 105, ending Eva was born to an intellectual family in 1906 One day she was unexpectedly led out of her a career that produced tens of thousands of Budapest, Hungary. Her father, Alexander cell to what she feared was to be her execution, designs spanning across nine decades. Stricker, owned a textile factory and her only to be put on a train to Austria in the mother, Laura Polanyi Stricker, was a world- clothes she was standing in. Just as the reason The fact that she continued working up to her famous scholar, writer and political activist. for her imprisonment was never really known, final days is remarkable in itself, but just as Eva entered the Royal Academy of Fine Arts so is the reason for her release. noteworthy is that she made herself accessible at age 17 with the desire to become a painter, in her late years. She often accommodated Once in Austria, she left on the last train out but her mother’s encouragement to learn a interview requests, inviting journalists to her as Hitler took over the country and went to trade that offered better chances of making a NYC apartment or her country home about England, where she married lawyer Hans living won out. Eva apprenticed herself to a an hour’s drive north. While it might have Zeisel, who had waited 7 years for her. They traditional potter to learn the trade. been easier to do without these distractions, were married for 54 years (he died in 1992). she welcomed the opportunity to share her The life of an apprentice was not always easy Coming to America stories and thoughts and feelings about design. or pleasant, but Eva persisted and graduated With $64 to their name, the Zeisels moved to to journeyman status. She briefly made “What I’d like people to remember about Eva New York in 1938. On her second day in the pottery at her family’s home and sold it in a is that she was generous with her talent,” says U.S., Eva went to a library, read several trade marketplace, but after touring Budapest’s large Zeisel’s daughter, Jean Richards. “She was a papers and spoke with an editor on the phone, new Kispester Factory and seeing that the generous person. Also she had a good sense of Industrial Revolution had come, she joined humor. Even when people stole her designs, the factory’s design department. she wasn’t worried, saying ‘There are more ideas where that came from.’ Many people She eventually took positions at German pot- have talent, but she combined her talent with teries in Hamburg and Schramberger, where generosity, so that her designs became gifts for she developed skills in all phases of industrial others. She did not believe in self expression production and became one of the first design- as an end on itself. People will feel the love ers, and certainly the first woman, to move the that she put into her designs, and that will give ceramic arts into contemporary mass produc- 8them pleasure. That was her aim.” tion. She later worked in Berlin, which she seeking for job leads. Soon she was commis- Her return to Red Wing Zeisel once described a photo of the sioned to do a design for a set of dishes for Eva’s appearance at the 2000 Red Wing Town & Country salt and pepper a NYC china factory; she created the design Collectors Society Convention is considered shaker ‘Schmoos’ (below) as a portrait of her overnight, earning $100. In 1939, she created by many Red Wing collectors to be the all- daughter and the dept. of ceramic arts industrial design at time highlight for the RWCS. She made herself. Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute and taught there the keynote presentation that year, followed until 1952. Daughter, Jean, and son, John, by a Q&A session the next day where she were born in 1940 and 1944, respectively. enlightened the crowd with little-known Town & Country oil information about the Town & Country line. The many firms she designed for over the and vinegar cruets next 20 years included Sears & Roebuck, Hall When one collector asked if the Town & family traveled to Russia for the first time China, Rosenthal, Mancioli, Noritake, Federal Country coffee mug was her original design since she was exiled in 1937. From that time Glass, Heisey Glass, Western Stoneware, Watt since it appeared later in other lines of Red up until her death, she was often recognized Pottery and of course, Red Wing. Wing dinnerware, Zeisel sparked a burst of with honorary degrees, museum exhibits and laughter from the crowd. “I unfortunately awards – one of the most prominent being the Zeisel received many honors for her outstand- designed it myself,” she said. “It’s a little Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design ing achievements, beginning with her selec- clumsy and a questionable work of art.” Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2005. tion in 1942 by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York to design a line of fine When designing the three Town & Country She was also incredibly prolific – not just for a porcelain dinnerware for Castleton China. pitchers, Zeisel said the middle size came first, person in her later years, but for a designer in “Museum” became the first all-white dinner- followed by the largest and then the smallest. general. Although her eyesight and motor skills ware set manufactured in America and was She said she wasn’t pleased with the way the started to fail, she worked closely with long- presented in her show at MoMA in 1947 – large pitcher turned out, but “the middle and time design assistant Olivia Barry to produce the first one-woman show the museum held. small live together in happiness.” her designs, often working seven days a week. In 1946, a representative from the Red Wing Zeisel said she selected the initial seven glaze The process, which was captured on video Potteries visited Zeisel at her apartment over- colors herself. Interestingly, she had wanted in 2008 when Zeisel was 102, really was looking the Hudson River and asked her to the sets to be sold by color, but once they fascinating. She began by creating a rough design a line of dinnerware that he expected reached the retailer they were broken up into sketch or even drawing curves in air, which would be sold for two or three years. The re- different combinations. “I suppose they lived Barry would transfer to white paper, cut out sult was the Town & Country line, which was happily ever after,” she said. Although she and affix to a black background so Zeisel manufactured from 1947 to 1956. She was didn’t remember much about the limited time could better see it. She would also feel the paid a flat $300 to design the line, which was she spent in Red Wing in the 1940s, Zeisel shapes with her hands and could tell when a equivalent to about $3,600 today. To this day recalled head designer Charles Murphy taking slope or curve was off by as little as 1/16 of an it remains one of her most popular lines. her on a fishing trip on the Mississippi River. inch. Then Zeisel explained how to refine the shapes and Barry made the changes. After six “It’s ironic that her specifications were to In 1997, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in or seven of these patient exchanges, a rough design something trendy and ‘Greenwich New York reproduced an assortment of the 3-D model could be created. Villagey,’ which would go in and out of Town & Country collection with new glaze fashion quickly, but it ended up being her colors. While original Red Wing pieces were Even though Eva is gone, she will always most collected set,” Richards says. unsigned, the reproductions were marked speak to us from beyond the grave through “EZ” on the bottom for identification. her designs – some of which have yet to be The U.S. ceramics industry fell off in the 1960s produced. Expected to be released this spring and ‘70s when Americans looked to Europe “Eva and I so much enjoyed our visit to Red by Italian lighting manufacturer Leucos is a for fashionable tableware, and Zeisel’s design Wing,” Richards says, recalling when she and series of pendants, sconces and lamps – her work slowed down. She moved in the direc- her mother attended the RWCS Convention. first and only foray into lighting. A recent tion of family, scholarly work and political ac- “We enjoyed all the Schmoos dressed up as design for flatware is under negotiation. tivism until 1984, when she was invigorated baseball players and fans. We enjoyed staying by a visit to Hungary and the introduction of in the 18th century guesthouse on the Mis- Eva was cremated and her ashes were fittingly the retrospective exhibition “Eva Zeisel: De- sissippi, and seeing the lovely old buildings.” placed in a Nambe “Essence” urn she designed. No funeral service was held per her wishes, but signer for Industry”, which was organized by Eva’s late works the Montreal Museum of Decorative Arts in a large memorial service is being planned for Days after her visit to Red Wing in 2000, conjunction with the Smithsonian. this spring. Zeisel and her

This set of nesting vases Glassware Tea kettle from designed designed for 1999 is for Nambe Chantal Cookware available in 2005. Designed in 1993, Zeisel’s coffee in 2007. at www. table can be purchased at www.evaoriginals.com. www.redwingcollectors.org kleinreid.com. 9 cti odu on tr n

© Copyright 2012 Terry Moe and Larry Roschen to e r Photos courtesy of the authors and www.redwingdinnerware.com a RedWingDinnerware& rw Part 1 of 2 Dinne The Casual Line he information presented here has been gleaned from vintage Each pattern has been assigned an Availability rating and a Collector Red Wing brochures, catalogs, price lists and internal documents Interest rating as described below. Availability represents an average for Tas well as trade journals and magazines. In this discussion, a “pattern” the pattern in question, however the scarcity of certain pieces within the is a dinnerware set in a particular shape with a unique handpainted pattern may differ. Collector Interest refers to the pattern in general, but design or color scheme. A “line” is a group of patterns that share the there may be specific pieces in any pattern that are of greater interest to same shapes but have different handpainted designs or colors. Some specialty collectors (teapots, pitchers, salt & peppers, etc). Please keep in of the introduction and exit dates presented have not been verified mind these ratings are the authors’ observations; your experience may vary. because of gaps in available documentation. When uncertain, an estimated date is provided. The end point of a pattern can be difficult to ascertain. In Availability Collector Interest the 1940s and 1950s a discontinued pattern no longer appeared on price 1 – Rare 1 – Highly sought, demand exceeds supply lists; in the 1960s patterns that were no longer in production remained on 2 – Very scarce 2 – Primarily of interest to specialty collectors price lists as “limited stock” with only a few pieces listed. Here a pattern 3 – Hard to find 3 – Above average is considered to be discontinued when a full range of items was no longer 4 – Average 4 – Average available and orders were limited to remaining stock. 5 – Readily available 5 – Below average

he Casual line included some of Red Wing’s most successful and popular patterns. The line featured metal stands to hold a pair of cruets Tand as the base for a Lazy Susan. Metal warming stands were available for casseroles (3 sizes), beverage server, teapot, butter warmer and gravy boat. A double-wide metal warming stand with ceramic handles to match the pattern was made to hold two 2 quart casseroles or a huge 20-inch platter. Initially these metal stands were black wrought iron. Copper stands were added in 1957, and by 1960 the wrought iron stands were dropped, leaving copper stands as the sole option. Smart Set Availability: 4 Interest: 3 Years: 1953-1957 The Smart Set pattern practically screams 1950s. The design featured green, gray and black intersecting geometric shapes of various sizes against a white background. The initial 1953 brochure did not include a number of important pieces. But within a year the rim soup, 13-inch platter, 112 oz. pitcher, cocktail tray, butter dish and butter warmer were added, probably at the same time as the introduction of Bob White. Covers and stoppers for the three casseroles, marmite, beverage server, teapot, cruets and butter warmer were available either in black or decorated with the pattern. Above: Smart Set Above: Smart Set dinner plate The original lineup for Smart Set included a peppermill. group consisting Below: Cup & saucer of tea pot, coffee It was included in brochures dated 1953 and 1955, but server, salt & pepper was missing by 1957. The company that made the metal shakers and water grinding mechanism was no longer able to supply them, so pitcher the peppermill was dropped. This piece is now very difficult Right: rare pepper mill to find and has considerable value. The January 1957 dealer Left: Teapot on price list included listings for a Smart Set coffee mug (Town stand & Country mug) and water cooler, but the listings are most likely an error as these pieces aren’t known to exist. Bob White Availability: 5 Interest: 3 Years: 1954-1967 Bob White was far and away Red Wing’s best selling dinnerware pattern. It remains very popular with collectors today. Throughout the late 1950s and the 1960s, Red Wing rapidly put out new patterns in hopes that one would approach the appeal of Bob White, but it was not to be. Bob White was the first Red Wing pattern to utilize beige fleck as the background color. The pattern featured a bob white (quail) mother hen and her chicks resting in grass and reeds. The number of birds present on a given piece depended on its size. Colors were beige, brown and turquoise. The peppermill described in the Smart Set section was briefly available in Bob Above: Bob White plates (10½”, 7½” & 6½”) Right: Tumbler White. It is probably the most difficult piece of Bob White to find today and the most valuable. 10 The popularity of Bob White lead to the production of several pieces unique to this pattern. Besides the standard tall hourglass shaped salt & pepper shakers, a pair of small bird-shaped shakers were also available. An hors d’oeuvres holder in the shape of a larger bird had small holes along the back to hold tidbits skewered on toothpicks. Bob White was one of several patterns to have a trivet made in 1958 and 1959 (an offshoot of the 1958 Minnesota Centennial trivet). Tumblers (drinking glass) in two sizes (4 oz. and 10 oz.) were added in the early 1960s. Bob White was one of two dinnerware patterns to have the 5-section nut dish decorated in the pattern colors. Bob White and Round Up were the only two latter day patterns to have a cookie jar, and Above: Bob White Hors d’Oeuvres holder and salt & they were the only two Casual patterns to have a water cooler. Most stands found with pepper shakers water coolers in these two patterns, as well as Tampico, are Village Green-shape warmer Below: Lazy Susan stands decorated with the appropriate pattern. But a promotional spot in the August 1957 issue of “China, Glass and Tablewares” trade journal announces the introduction of 2 gallon water coolers in the Bob White and Tampico Above: Water cooler and stand patterns. Shown in the accompanying photo is a Tampico Left: Cookie jar cooler setting on a cooler stand in the shape of an overturned Bottom: 20” platter on double straight sided bowl. This style of stand was available only for Bob warming stand White and Tampico, and is quite uncommon. This piece looks unusual because it appears to be a bowl with the decoration painted upside down, but knowledgeable collectors know it is a cooler stand – not a bowl. Hamm’s Availability: 2 Interest: 1 Years: Late 1950s Hamm’s was not a true dinnerware pattern, as it consisted of Hamm’s Bear bank, 6” bowl, 12” bowl, salt & pepper shakers and 60 oz. pitcher (Although only a limited number of pieces in the Casual shape. It was a a Red Wing piece, the Hamm’s Bear is not a “popcorn set” that included a 60 oz. pitcher, a 12-inch salad part of the Hamm’s popcorn set.) bowl, four 6-inch bowls and a pair of salt & pepper shakers. These sets were made exclusively for the Hamm’s Brewing Company and were not available for sale to the public. Hamm’s used these sets as holiday gifts for business partners and other friends of the brewery. The artwork featured a blue lake, green pine trees, pine cones and a deer on a white background. The pattern was very much in tune with Hamm’s “From the land of sky blue waters” advertising slogan. Hamm’s pieces are scarce, and the pretty outdoors scene makes them extremely popular with both Red Wing and Hamm’s beer collectors. The remaining patterns in Red Wing’s Casual Line will be featured in the April issue of the RWCS Newsletter.

What Is It? An Update on a Mystertious Ball Jug n the December issue of the RWCS Newsletter, place in the bottom of the pitcher. RWCS Member Paul Wichert submitted I While similar, Paul pointed out some differences photos of his curious yellow ball jug, which has between the two pieces. The bottom of the a compartment in the bottom that he believes Muncie jug appears smaller than his and lacks the was made for holding a music box. Fellow two grooves cut in the bottom. Plus, the handle of member Larry Roschen recently sent in photos the Muncie jug is in a different position and the of a similar jug that he found in the archives of bottom appears to have a more rounded shape, an Indianapolis auction company’s website. The similar to the inside of a beater jar. company claimed the jug was a Muncie Pottery music box ball pitcher in shape #U27. It sold for As Larry said, “Who would have thought that $140 in 2005. (Larry was unable to verify whether two different potteries made the same odd item?” Do you have an odd piece that has you the auction company was correct in stating that While the Muncie piece neither confirms nor scratching your head, wondering what it Muncie Pottery made the piece.) He added that rules out that Paul’s piece was made by Red Wing, was intended to be used for? Send in your he recalls seeing a similar pitcher years ago on it does indicate that he’s probably right about it photos and story and it might run in a eBay, complete with the music box workings in being a music box. If only he could find the insert! future issue of the RWCS Newsletter. www.redwingcollectors.org 11 2012 RWCS Elections: Meet the Candidates

here are three positions up for election on the RWCS Board of that ended up leading into dinnerware. TDirectors in 2012. After serving as Auction Manager for four So now we collect everything. I joined years, Todd Avery has decided not to run for re-election. We thank the Red Wing Collectors Society in him for his service – he has been a pleasure to work with. RWCS 1989. My four daughters are usually at Member Bruce Selfridge is looking to take over the role and is running Convention, too. The oldest, Laura, is unopposed. Incumbents Glenn Beall and Bob Morawski are seeking active at Convention with the Display another term for the respective positions of Education Manager Room and KidsView, as well as the and Commemorative Manager. They are also running unopposed. Siouxland Redwingers Chapter. The Balloting will be by mail in accordance with RWCS by-law Article youngest, Elizabeth, is a member of the V, Nominating Committee and Voting Procedure. Ballots will be Trails West chapter. Amy and Catherine mailed with the April RWCS Newsletter to all primary members in are usually helping out somewhere good standing and must be received by the RWCS Business Office no around Convention wherever they’re needed. later than June 30, 2012. Associate members must request a ballot by In 1997, I joined the Nebraska Redwingers as a charter member. contacting the RWCS Business Office. When a move to South Dakota became necessary, I missed the chapter feeling. A few months later, a few other collectors and I Bruce Selfridge started the Siouxland Redwingers, which was chartered at the July Candidate, RWCS Auction 2000 RWCS Convention. I’m still president of that chapter. Manager In 2003, my family and I took on the Display Room at Convention and have been doing that ever since. If you’ve gone to ello, my name is a MidWinter GetTogether or a Convention, you’ve probably seen HBruce Selfridge and I am seeking the position of me running around there at some point. I have enjoyed working RWCS Auction Manager. to bring you new sessions and would enjoy one more term as My wife, Carmen, and I have Education Manager. With your input and help, we can continue the been members of the RWCS fine sessions we have enjoyed so far. Golden State Chapter of the Bob Morawski since 1990; I am currently the chapter vice president. I Incumbent, RWCS Commemorative have volunteered since 2010 Manager at the RWCS Auction and I y passion for Red Wing started have made several educational presentations at our July Conventions. Min 1998, when I bought my first My wife has been very active with the Red Wing Collectors Society piece of stoneware. I joined the RWCS Foundation and is currently on the Foundation Board. later that year and have attended all of I am very excited about the opportunity to serve as Auction the Conventions since 1999 and most Manager. Todd Avery has done a great job during very challenging of the MidWinter GetTogethers. times. The RWCS Auction is in competition with several other I like to collect stoneware with auctions in Red Wing during Convention Week, as well as internet Milwaukee advertising. I also have many “oddity” pieces that are sales such as eBay. It is going to be a challenge to get our auction to either missing ovals or wings, have extra wings or ovals, or have be the place to get that “special” item for your collection. The RWCS upside down stamps. When my grandma moved out of her house, Auction should continue to be a major part of our Convention. I noticed she had six pieces of Pepe dinnerware. Since then I I am a retired Fire Captain of the Town of Ross Fire Department have built the set up to more than 100 pieces. I also have a large in California, where I worked for 37 years. I have been involved in collection of Red Wing signed sewer pipe and I’m working on several non-profit groups. I am currently active in two organizations. putting together a complete set of Special Commemoratives. (I am I am a staff member of Kinetic Steam Works, a non-profit group of especially looking for a 1982 Special Commemorative.) I also enjoy steam power enthusiasts. I’m also a member of the local chapter of the digging in the Red Wing dump. Early Days Gas Engine and Tractor Association as a past director and I am working with a strong core group of people and we have newsletter eitor for several years. With your help and ideas, I am looking forward to being your formed the new Badger Chapter, Wisconsin’s second chapter. We Auction Manager and working with the RWCS Board of Directors. welcome new members. I have also chaired and now sit on the RWCS Membership Committee. Glenn Beall I have worked with the Commemoratives for the past six Incumbent, RWCS Education Manager years; I’ve been the manager for the past four. I introduced the three version “A, B and C” concept to help reenergize the started collecting Red Wing one cold day at an auction more than Commemorative and get people excited about them again; this has I20 years ago. The last item on the auction was a 25 gallon wing worked well. I will continue to push the envelope not only with the crock. Since my wife, Julie, thought the piece was “neat” I started Commemoratives, but in all areas concerning the RWCS to help coming home with more and more crocks. The stoneware collecting keep the club and membership healthy for future generations to eventually led into art pottery thanks to another auction find, and enjoy our passion. Thanks for your support in the past and future! 12 13 A D R A T E S CLASSIFIEDS

Classified ads are 20¢ per word; $4 minimum RED WING FOR SALE Wanted: Looking for any advertising pieces from charge and are accepted on a first-come, Quarter-sawn oak Knapp or Clear Lake, Wis. To sell, contact Tim at first-served basis. In addition to appearing in frame custom-made for 715-263-2118 or [email protected]. 4/12 the newsletter, classifieds and display ads are displaying your 35th Wanted: Any stoneware (Red Wing or other) posted on the RWCS website. Annual Convention crockery imprinted with “The Fowler Company, Ads are divided into the following sections: Tile – only $29.50! Waterloo, Iowa” advertising as seen on page 114 of Red Wing For Sale, Red Wing Wanted, Other Save on shipping – free Red Wing Collectibles. Contact Nick at 207-799- delivery to Convention. Pottery For Sale, Other Pottery Wanted, 6462 or [email protected]. Additional tile frames available: 4x8 $35.50, 4x6 Events, Auctions, Clubs & Publications and $31.50, 6x6 $37.50, 6x8 $39.50 and 8x8 $41.50. Wanted: Dinnerware lids, True China beverage Websites, Announcements and Services. You Call or email: John Mathews 608-764-1454 or server & tea pot lids, Futura beverage server lids will not be charged for these words, but please [email protected]. 4/12 [email protected] or 319-373-0665. indicate which section your ad should be placed in. If ad is to run in more than one issue, Handles and wooden lids. Send SASE for flyer to Wanted: Advertising crocks, jugs and churns – please indicate at time of placement. (Note: the Larsen’s Collectibles, 757 120th Street, Hampton, IA especially pieces with a decoration & ad. Contact small number at the end of an ad tells when 50441-7555. Phone 641-866-6733. 4/12 Scott at [email protected] or 402-331-4749. the ad expires, e.g., 4/12. Ads without dates are Red Wing Dinnerware: two Chuckwagon dinner Wanted: These Chromoline pieces: #680 in one-time ads.) Please type or print clearly and plates; one Roundup dinner plate; four 8-inch plates orange/rust; #675, #687 and #M3006 in blue/ proofread before submission. (branding); four 6.5-inch plates (cowboy sitting green. Contact Rick at 414-416-9464 or [email protected]. DISPLAY ADS on fence); two saucers (cowboy sitting on fence); Display Ad Size 1x 6x two saucers (with rope around center) and six cups CLUBS AND PUBLICATIONS Full page $425 385 (cowboy sitting on fence), ALL pieces are in excellent condition. Phone 608-854-2622 or e-mail Blue & White Pottery Club – Visit the club’s web- 1/2 page (horizontal or vertical) 225 205 site at www.blueandwhitepottery.org. 1/4 page 125 115 [email protected]. 1/8 page 85 70 Huge historic 130-year old Antique Estate Sale. Collectors of Illinois Pottery & Stoneware – Visit the club’s website at www.coips.org. Display Ad Dimensions Historic Krohne Island, Livingston, Montana. March Full Page 7 1⁄2 x 10 1-4, 2012. See www.historickrohneisland.com McCoy Pottery Collectors Society – club’s website: 1/2 page (horizontal or vertical) 7 1⁄2 x 4 7⁄8 for all info. Don’t miss this sale; museum quality one www.mccoypotterycollectorssociety.org. 1/4 page 3 5⁄8 x 4 7⁄8 of kind items offered. Save under “FAVORITES” and MEMBER PASSINGS 1/8 page 3 5⁄8 x 2 1⁄4 or note web address, as this ad will disappear. Check site often for details and photos of offerings as this is Longtime RWCS member Kieth Display ads are accepted on a first-come, first- updated on a regular basis. Note March 1st, 2nd, 3rd Geske passed away in October served basis. The publisher reserves the right to & 4th on your calendar! after a brief illness. He was 77. refuse ads for any reason. Kieth was an avid stoneware RW 8 gal Water Cooler, complete with rare attached collector; he and his wife, Joan, Ads must be supplied electronically as an EPS drinking fountain & bowl with pipe & button, plus Geske mainly collected advertising. or PDF file for PC. If you are unsure about bale handles. $1,500 OBO. Pickup in Oconomowoc, acceptability, inquire with the editor. There WI. Can e-mail photo. Contact 262-567-6461 or Phyllis Norine passed away in is an additional 10 percent fee for design and [email protected]. December at age 86. Although makeup if needed ($10 minimum). not a member, she was RWCS Red Wing Collectors Society Magazines – 1993 to Chapter Member Jim Norine’s 2011 (110 issues). Make offer. Call 262-691-9878. DEADLINES mother. In addition to her two Issue Ads Editorial Mail Date Thirteen (13) Commemoratives, 1990-2002 plus sons, she is survived by her Norine February Jan. 10 Jan. 1 Feb. 15 book “Collecting the Legacy.” MAKE OFFER! Have husband of 67 years, Lowell, and numerous other April March 10 March 1 April 15 four original boxes. Contact [email protected] or relatives. Our thoughts and prayers are with the June May 10 May 1 June 15 503-652-2765. Geske and Norine families and their friends. August July 25 July 15 Aug. 31 October Sept. 10 Sept. 1 Oct. 15 RED WING WANTED December Nov. 10 Nov. 1 Dec. 15 Wanted: The 2 gal wing crock with bail handles A donation to the EDITOR ADDRESS that I owned many years ago. Large chip on back Red Wing Pottery Museum Make checks payable to RWCS and mail with ads: rim. Contact Tracy at 319-653-6607 or a gift that keeps on giving! [email protected]. 6/12 Rick Natynski PO Box 198 Wanted: Red Wing and Wisconsin advertising mini Pewaukee, WI 53072 jugs. Contact Greg at [email protected] or 608-574-6966. Can also submit ads by e-mail: send to [email protected] and send checks Wanted: RW vase #155 or #403 white/pearl, 9”; 2 separately. Or, call Rick at 414-416-wing (9464). gal California Wine House adv jug, St. Paul, MN. E-mail [email protected] or 651-388-9820. 14 Chapter News (Recent Finds & Deals will return in the April RWCS Newsletter.) he ore TSunshine Mthan 40 State Redwingers members of met Dec. 4 the RWCS at the home Wisconsin of Steven & Chapter Mavis Hazen attended the in Ocala, club’s meeting Fla. where at the National members had Mustard a “Show & Tell,” a business meeting and some of the best pies and Museum in desserts they’d ever eaten in their entire lives. The chapter’s 2012 Middleton, Wis. on Oct. 30. The group was entertained by Professor commemorative is a blue-and-white sponge bird bath made by fellow Mustard, a.k.a. Barry Levenson (above), whose fascination with RWCS Member Wyn Painter. mustard began 25 years ago. A former Assistant Attorney General The chapter’s next meeting is scheduled for March 31 at the home for the State of Wisconsin, he once presented a case before the of Anne Ashauer in Eustis, Fla. – not far from Renninger’s Antique U.S. Supreme Court with a small jar of mustard in his pocket. The Festival. It will begin with a potluck luncheon, followed by a business museum moved from Mt. Horeb, Wis. to Middleton in 2009. meeting and “Show & Tell.” The group always welcomes anyone After having the opportunity to taste several types of different interested in joining them. Contact chapter member Jerry Mounts at mustards and shop the gift store, the members met at Middleton’s [email protected] or 816-510-2248 for information. Hody Bar & Grill for a deli buffet and our annual business meeting. “You can go south for the winter, but you don’t have to lose President Pete Pavloski and his wife, Barb, showcased this year’s contact with your ‘up-north’ friends and family,” Mounts says. “The commemorative, a mustard pitcher that was modeled after a Red Sunshine State Redwingers want you!” Wing mustard pitcher purchased at the 2011 RWCS Show & Sale. he Badger Chapter of Southeastern Wisconsin will meet on March 24 at the home of Jeff and Sue Tagliapietra in Madison, Wis. E-mail [email protected] for more information. New members are always welcome.

Letters to the Editor Here’s the first response we’ve received: “I have a 1/2 gallon and I have seen about two other 1 gal Gold Mine Jug House Jug: A member recently sent this photo in to the RWCS and North Star Bottle jugs in the last 20 years of collecting MN advertising jugs. Collectors Club newsletters, asking if other collectors There are also two other variants of this jug which I have; have seen one. If you have any info on this piece or they are the only ones I have seen. They both have the photos to share, please e-mail them to newsletter@ Gold Mine Jug House on them, but different names. One redwingcollectors.org. has ‘Hanson & Peterson’ and the other one has ‘Berg & Mehan.’ Moorhead sure had some great jugs.”

Red Wing in the Far Reaches of Africa: RWCS Member and Marines Gunnery Sgt. Mark Raymer of Merrill, Wis., is serving overseas in Djibouti, Africa and recently sent in the photo at right to show us that his December RWCS Newsletter arrived safely. Thanks, Mark, for all that you and your fellow soldiers do for our country! P.S. Find any good Red Wing over there?

Please send your donations to and visit: Red Wing Pottery Museum Historic Pottery Place Mall ~ 2nd Floor, East 2000 Old West Main Street Red Wing, MN 55066 For more information contact the RWCS Foundation at [email protected] or call Diane Hallstrom at 612-247-9876. All donations are tax deductible. www.redwingcollectors.org 15 What’s New at Your Museum? News from the RWCS Foundation Story by RWCS Foundation President, Dave Hallstrom he Red Wing Pottery Museum has The 5 lb. Albany slip butter crock always been graciously supported pictured is truly an example of one of Tby you, the members of the RWCS these rare pieces where the potter took Foundation. Again we thank you. much time in creating an individualized Remember, being a member of the special piece, never knowing how unique RWCS automatically makes you a it would become many years to follow. member of the RWCS Foundation. We With research done by RWCS member rely on your continued support of the Bonnie Tefft, maybe a few pieces of this museum; your generous donations and puzzle can be unraveled. loans of Red Wing pottery, stoneware and dinnerware help us tell the story of The name carefully scratched under the the clay industries of Red Wing. glaze on the crock is Oscar Peterson along with the initials “L.H.” A listing I have always felt one of the best things in the 1920 census shows an Oscar about collecting was “the hunt.” If you Peterson living in Red Wing, born in have ever crawled under the stairway 1901, and has his occupation as being in someone’s basement, dug through a potter. His parents were Peter and wagons full of dusty items on a farm Hannah Peterson (Peter was also listed auction or searched the shelves of that later as being a potter). Interestingly “off the beaten track” antique store, you enough, there was a neighbor girl by know what I’m talking about. When you the name of Laura Harp (age 15 listed run across that special piece you have in the 1920 census). Could the “L.H.” not seen before and your pulse rate starts initials on the crock possibly be that of to climb, that is what keeps us collecting! Laura’s? Could Laura possibly be Oscar’s sweetheart? Being able to share these “never seen before” pieces with collectors and the One can only make assumptions by general public is a gift the museum gives the few facts gathered, but it makes every day. This article is meant to give for an interesting story so we will go you a little history of a piece recently with it for now. We are still trying to brought to the museum on loan, which gather more information at this time. we are happy to share with you. Whatever the case may be, Oscar shows to be a talented young artist at that time. This story begins on a sunny fall The time he spent carefully scratching afternoon during an antique roadshow like to thank you again for your continuing a delicate design into the glaze on the support. outside of Larry’s Jugs Antiques during sides and bottom of this treasured piece the grand opening of his new antique showed his fondness of his friend. Editor’s note: The next RWCS Foundation Board store. An elderly Red Wing couple meeting is slated for March 31, 2012 in Red Wing. For brought a dusty old brown crock in to On behalf of the RWCS Foundation and more information, e-mail [email protected] show and learn more about. the Red Wing Pottery Museum, I would or call Diane Hallstrom at 612-247-9876. Coming in the April Issue...

W a t e r l o o ’ s F o w l e r C o . C i d e r

M i d W i n t e r R e v i e w