Red Wing Stoneware Butter Crock Value Guide

This 1910-1920 Red Wing Union Stoneware butter crock is a prime example of Minnesota-made salt-glazed pottery featuring a rare merchant mark for Coyne's Cash Store in Spalding, Nebraska. These utilitarian pieces are highly collectible due to their historical connection to local Midwestern commerce and their iconic blue band decoration.

What affects the value of Red Wing Stoneware Butter Crock?

• The presence and clarity of the Coyne's Cash Store merchant mark significantly impacts the $210-$230 valuation.
• Structural integrity of the wire bail handle and lack of chips or hairline cracks in the stoneware.
• The vibrancy and consistency of the cobalt blue band application.
• Overall condition of the salt glaze, specifically the absence of heavy staining or 'fry' marks from the firing process.

How to Identify Red Wing Stoneware Butter Crock?

• Look for the distinct blue cobalt oxide bands encircling the salt-glazed stoneware body.
• Verify the presence of the original wire bail handle attached to the sides of the crock.
• Identify the specific 'Coyne's Cash Store, Spalding, Neb.' merchant stamp on the exterior.
• Check for the characteristic smooth, glass-like texture typical of early 20th-century Red Wing production.

History of Red Wing Stoneware Butter Crock

Produced by the Red Wing Union Stoneware Company in Minnesota, these crocks were essential household items for storing farm-fresh butter. This specific piece features a 'merchant mark' for Coyne's Cash Store in Spalding, Nebraska, which was a common marketing practice where pottery companies would stamp local business names onto the crocks for retail sale.