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Discover Mid-America – December 2009
New Books for Collectors
Red Wing Stoneware Encyclopedia
by Dan De Pasquale and Larry Peterson
Reviewed by Robert Reed
(Antique and Collectible News Service)
The latest book on distinguished Red Wing Stoneware is an impressive one.
Red Wing Stoneware Encyclopedia by Dan De Pasquale and Larry Peterson offers an amazing array of products from one of America’s finest stoneware manufacturers.
Hundreds and hundreds of items are colorfully illustrated along with current values. Red Wing is understandably highly collectible and some of the prices clearly reflect it from the plain salt glaze churns in the one-gallon size listing at $250 to $350, to the Red Wing Success Filter complete with black stamp and original list at $1,300 to $1,400.
As the authors point out, the upper Midwest has long been a “Mecca for early stoneware production.” Early utilitarian wares were typically the work of smaller potters, which were eventually surpassed by two larger companies — the Western Stoneware Company and the Red Wing Stoneware Company. The second firm is the clear focus of the book.
True to its title, the volume presents an extensive selection of this “Cadillac” of stoneware makers. Specific selections of the book include general stoneware, kitchen stoneware and various jugs.
Prolifically presented in the general stoneware chapter are crocks, water coolers, churns, spittoons, chamber pots and chicken feeders among other items. The kitchen chapter turns to bean pots, butter crocks, bowls, nappies, pitchers, mugs, pantry jars, refrigerator jars and other kitchen-related wares.
In the book’s introduction, the authors make reference to early stoneware collectors who were sometimes content with any piece “as long as it was signed.” They report now “new collectors have done their homework and seem to target specific, high quality items for their collection. For example, advertising ware, salt glaze items, and rare hard to find items are hard to find.”
Red Wing Stoneware Encyclopedia by Dan De Pasquale and Larry Peterson, hardcover, color illustrated, values, index, 224 pages, $29.95 plus shipping from Collector Books, 1-800-626-5420.
Large Letter Postcards: The Definitive Guide 1930s to 1950s
by Fred Tenney and Kevin Hilbert
Reviewed by Robert Reed
(Antique and Collectible News Service)
At long last large letter postcards are getting the attention they deserve.
The impressive volume provides a sweeping look at more than 2,300 colorful large letter greetings-related postcards of yesteryear.
Clearly large letter greetings-type postcards were in use in the United States by the early 1900s. However as the authors point out a list of all the large letter postcards “could run into the tens of thousands.” Instead, the book centers on the so-called classic age from the early 1930s to the middle 1950s.
Chapters in the volume include 50 scarce large letter postcards, 50 graphically appealing large letter postcards and manufacturers. Still an additional section provides such postcards by states along with current values.
Interestingly, the authors indicate that many postcard manufacturers did not keep the necessary records to construct their listing of hundreds of postcards. Instead, “It had to be done through acquisition with some postcards taking years to obtain.”
The co-authors have considerable experience in the postcard field. Tenney is a long time buyer and seller of such large letter postcards. Hilbert has collected postcards since early childhood. Both authors are residents of Arizona.
Large Letter Postcards: The Definitive Guide 1930s to 1950s by Fred Tenney and Kevin Hilbert has 160 pages and 2,375 color photographs. Hardcover, with index, the book is $39.99 plus shipping from Schiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 19310.
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