Red Wing Advertising Bean Pot Value Guide

This Red Wing Union Stoneware bean pot is a quintessential piece of Midwestern history, featuring local advertising for the Roosevelt Road Hardware Co. of Kenosha, Wisconsin. Produced between 1915 and 1930, these functional kitchen items served as durable promotional giveaways that kept a business's name in the customer's home for decades.

What affects the value of Red Wing Advertising Bean Pot?

• Condition of the stoneware, specifically looking for hairline cracks, chips on the rim, or 'pings' in the glaze.
• Clarity and completeness of the advertising stamp, as blurred or faded lettering reduces collector interest.
• Presence of the original matching lid, which is often missing and significantly increases the value when included.
• Regional demand for Kenosha, Wisconsin memorabilia and the cross-collectibility of hardware store advertising.

How to Identify Red Wing Advertising Bean Pot?

• Look for the distinct two-tone finish featuring a dark brown Albany slip top and a creamy white Bristol glaze bottom.
• Verify the 'Compliments of Roosevelt Road Hardware Co. Kenosha, Wis.' stamp on the side of the vessel.
• Check for the characteristic Red Wing stoneware body shape, which typically includes a narrow base and wider shoulders with integrated handles.
• Examine the bottom for the absence of a wing mark, as many smaller advertising pieces were only stamped with the merchant's information.

History of Red Wing Advertising Bean Pot

Produced by the Red Wing Union Stoneware Company, these bean pots were frequently used as promotional giveaways by local general stores and hardware shops in the early 20th century. The 'Compliments of' stamp allowed businesses to offer functional kitchenware that served as a permanent advertisement in the customer's home. Red Wing's stoneware became a staple of Midwestern domestic life due to its durability and distinctive glaze styles.