This Red Wing Union Stoneware #5 crock with the sought-after Ski Logo is in great vintage condition with some added character. It has great graphics. There are several factory glaze blisters on the exterior. One small 1/4" lower edge chip on the right side. A 1/2" lower edge chip on the back side. A shallow 1/2" x 2" inner rim chip. And some factory interior and exterior glaze spotting.

Crocks make appreciated gifts for any occasion and continue to become rare and are found being passed on as family heirlooms from generation to generation.

Overall Dimensions: Height: 13 1/4" Diameter: 12 1/2" Weight: 21 1/2 lbs.

Please review all pictures carefully as they are considered part of the description.

After 142 years in business, the iconic Red Wing Stoneware pottery company closed its doors in September 2019. The company cited low-cost competitors as a reason for ceasing manufacturing and sales.

Union Stoneware Company was in production from 1894 to 1906. It is one of the 7 companies that merged to form Red Wing Union Stoneware Company in 1906.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Wing_Pottery

Around 1895, the salt glaze was replaced by a creamy-colored zinc glaze and the hand-drawn cobalt designs gave way to stamped designs. The first two stamps to be used were the Elephant Ear and the Birch Leaf. They were stamped as single pairs or double pairs. With the use of stamps, it became much easier to identify a crock as Red Wing. Around 1906, the elephant ear and birch leaf stamps were replaced with the now-familiar red wing stamp. Source: www.redwingcollectors.org

The Ski Oval is generally believed to be the first Oval used by Red Wing. You will find the Ski Oval on stoneware pieces that are decorated with either a red wing or birch leaves. The distinction of a “Ski Oval” is the design located right below the words Red Wing on the oval. It is a marking that looks like a downhill ski. Some collectors attempt to control their collecting by only buying stoneware pieces that have Ski Ovals. Others are not as disciplined in limiting their buying and collecting. Source: www.redwingcollectors.org

The history of American ski jumping began in the ’80s of the 19th century in Red Wing, Minnesota. There mainly Norwegian immigrants founded Aurora Ski Club and started ski jumping. On 1887-02-08 Mikkel Hemmestvedt managed the jump the first North-American ski jumping record with 37 feet (11,3 m) at the very first ski jumping competition in the USA. At that time “Red Wing Style” was created, a type of flying which was copied by people from the whole continent later and made Aurora Ski Club the best in the country for about 20 years of time. Already three years later Mikkel Hemmestvedt jumped the first world record at Red Wing with 102 ft. (31.1 m) and in 1893 his brother Torjus even jumped one foot longer and therewith again a new world record.

McSorely Hill, which was also called Bush Street Ski Jump, had been in use until the 1920s. In 1928 and 1936 25,000 spectators watched the national skiing championships which were hosted on a new ski jump at Mt Charlson, but already in the early 1950’s the ski club was disintegrated due to an ebbing number of members. The history of the club is now told in a book by Frederick L. Johnson called “Sky Crashers”.
Source: http://www.skisprungschanzen.com

To assure you receive the best care for your purchase, we personally package each crock to maintain consistency and provide the most possible protection during its travel to its new owner. We are told we "Gorilla-proof" them. Crocks are shipped via FedEx Ground shipping and are insured for the full amount of your purchase.

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