In 1997, I bought a home in the mountains of Colorado. In my spare time, I started going to antique stores and bought several large stoneware crocks (not Red Wing) to hold plants. One day I was visiting my brother-in-law, Roger Hildebrand, who, unbeknownst to me, was a world class Red Wing collector. He took me under his wing and brought me to, what was then and still is, one of the best Red Wing auctions ever in Kewaskum, Wisconsin. Unfortunately, I did not know it was the best at the time. Over one thousand pieces were auctioned off that day – I bought sixteen or seventeen, but still wish I had bought more. From that day on I was hooked.
My Collection…
When I started collecting zinc stoneware I was aware of different ovals so I started putting together sets of stoneware by oval, which you will see as you peruse my collection. At first I only collected zinc glaze – salt glaze did not turn me on – but this was soon to change. When I went to my first auction I immediately noticed that collectors did not put a premium value on mint pieces versus so-so pieces. As an example, back in the late 90’s a premium mint churn would sell for $375-400 whereas a slightly damaged churn with chips or a hairline would sell for $250-275, which is somewhat still true today. It reminded me of my opal dealer friend who always said, “If an opal is just a little bit better, it is worth a whole lot more (same with diamonds).” I discovered this was not so with Red Wing stoneware and I immediately decided to focus on only the best, as you can see.
Over the next fifteen years I was on the hunt! I looked everywhere and anywhere: Ebay, antique stores, auctions, conventions, private collectors, and dealers. In the beginning, my goal was to buy one of everything and I really tried. Then I realized… NO WAY and started to refine my collection according to my tastes and preferences. At one point I decided to get rid of all of my two-inch wings and anything with metal handles by giving them to the Red Wing Historical Society.
Since I started my collection I have bought over 1,600 pieces and sold, traded, or given away about 900. My collection is now approximately 700 pieces. As I said, at first I only collected zinc glaze stoneware, however I soon gravitated towards salt glaze as well. I decided to primarily focus on crocks, churns, beehive jugs, standard jugs, and ice waters in both zinc and salt glaze. As you peruse my site, I not only have an extensive collection, but many are extremely rare and some are the only ones known to exist. In my captions I may refer to these as one of a kind. But who knows? There could always be one in an attic or basement somewhere.
If someone started collecting today, even putting in more effort than I did, I don’t think they could amass the assortment that I have collected in the last twenty years (especially the one-of-a-kinds).
Why did I create this website?
The answer is simple; I wanted to share my collection with other Red Wing collectors and of course, a little bit of ego. I hope you all enjoy and maybe you can help me find a few pieces I am looking for.
Lyle Berman
Please note: I took all of the pictures on this site myself – please do not be too critical. Remember, I am a collector – not a photographer.