Ok, ladies now this is where I need some expertise!! I am in the market to buy my first crock. Let's give me a big round of applause and a hooray:) But, I have no idea what I am doing. There are so many to choose from. I've found a bunch of different ones and I need you to tell me what they are, what the symbols mean, how much to expect to pay for them, etc. I know so many of you have bunches of these in your home so you have to know more than I do. So please, help me:)
primsfromabove.blogspot.com
utinselcrock.com
nebraskantiques.com
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maggiesmudpies.blogspot.com
tias.com
diggerslist.com
etsy.com
antiques.about.com
dyersauction.com
primsfromabove.blogspot.com
Just look what the wind did over the weekend. It was blowing so hard. It's Tuesday now and the wind is still blowing. Can you believe that?
Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.
Hi, Steph~ I say start watching in your local area see how much they cost locally~like buying a car do a lot of shopping~ you can get beauty's cheap if you hit it just right, auctions are a wonderful way to find them~ start watching e-bay see what they are selling for~ you have to decide how much you are willing to pay?? One's with better quality will be more pricey, but if you don't mind starting out with hairline cracks you can get some cheap that way~
ReplyDeleteIn my area the old brown one's are the easiest to find so it makes them cheaper~
the bee-sting one's well I say you are looking at some big bucks~
super windy at your homestead wow~
glad you are all safe~
smiles
Teresa
Hi Steph, my dh is a stoneware collector and so I do know something about it. The numbers on the piece is how many gallons they hold. The first few you posted are from the early 1900's and in this area can be had ( in good condition) for about 40 dollars. The crocks with the hand painted cobalt design ( the one with the 8 and the one with the 5) are earlier would probably go for about 250 dollars or more. Condition, the amount of cobalt, and rarity of design all contribute to the value. Hope that helps and enjoy your new crock when you get it!
ReplyDeleteNadine
I am no crock expert, just a collector :) I only buy crocks that are cheap,lol!So that means no antique stores or ebay for me, just yard sales, goodwill, and junk stores. The most I ever paid for a crock was $40 at a yard sale and that was for a huge 15 gallon one with no cracks or chips. Most of my collection was bought in the $10 range, because of cracks or chips(which I don't mind).
ReplyDeleteRed Wing crocks can fetch more money, along with the really old ones with birds on them. In my area, Swasey crocks fetch a pretty some(it's because they are an old local maker). I only have one and that was a gift from my mom.
I would do some research, so you don't over pay if you are buying from a dealer, otherwise buy what you can afford and what catches your eye :)
Have fun!!
Hey Sweetie - I agree with Teresa - you need to start "window shopping" first, as crock prices tend to vary greatly depending on locale. A few givens, tho, are that your salt-glaze and marked ones (like the PA one and the beesting crock immediately below it) are going to be considerably more expensive than the non-salt glaze. And the same crock can vary by hundreds of dollars if it has a crack or a chip. (For that reason, I rarely buy crocks at auction anymore - unless you can inspect it thoroughly up close prior to bidding. I've brought too many home with cracks, etc. And, as Teresa said, that's fine and a great way to start an affordable collection, but at auction, things are sold as is, so I too often found out too late I had paid too much....) Anyway - your first crock is a Redwing, the third is a Blueband, the fourth is a newly manufactured crock. The most expensive and desirable of the ones shown would be the PA crock and the one below it. (Obviously, the numbers on the outside of the crocks refer to their size - i.e., 10-gallon, 3-gallon, 4-gallon, etc.) Anything with blue decoration is coveted - and find some with birds and writing to boot an you've hit the motherlode. Sorry I'm not a whole lot of help - but it really does vary a great deal.....Like Felicia says, buy what talks to your heart (if your pocketbook can afford it that is....) ;o) We've had horrendous winds here as well - and now a major storm is on its way. Last I heard they were saying 10-15" of that white stuff. Ick. Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin
ReplyDeleteHi, Steph,, I really can't add much about salt glazed crocks, but I do know the first one is Red Wing Pottery. I know they are awfully expensive, maybe go to a reputable antique shop. What a shame about that evergreen coming down in the wind! So sad to lose a big tree...they take so long to grow.
ReplyDeleteMelinda
Steph, That beesting one is to die for. I'm sure that one would be a couple hundred in an antique store. The first one is Red Wing, made maybe in Minnesota? Buy what you like! There are so many uses for them. They are great places to hide things in. ~Ann
ReplyDeleteHi Steph! Oh how I LOVE crocks...any crocks!! I collect number crocks--#1= 1 gallon. But that beesting(also called tornado) crock takes my breath away!! I would burst out crying for joy if I found one of those cheap at a flea market!! I regularly find #3 or #4's at flea markets here about $6-$8. Yeah, that's cheap!! YAY!!
ReplyDeleteBuy what you love, and barter them down!--Jan
Hi, Steph:
ReplyDeleteEveryone was most helpful with the information. I know crocks are very expensive in Massachusetts. Especially
the cobalt blue on salt glaze stoneware. Hundreds of dollars. I really don't know anything about markings or prices, if I can get one that I like for under $50.00 I'm thrilled. There are books that have the meanings of pottery and china marks, and now with the internet you could probably find online.
Hugs,
Susan
Steph~ As a dealer and hubby is a collector I know alot about crocks.Just sold my indian head ones in the fall.Ok ones that are plan or just have a number or the line,crown,brown or half and half should go for about $10 per gallon so one gallon would be $10 or a 5 would be $50 that's in good shape.Now whith redwing your first pic expect it to be between $15 - $20 per gallon a 3 gallon redwing is normally between $35 - $50.Now when you get into the blue decorated like the E S & B and bee sting you may luck out if it's cracked chipped or damaged but as a new collector they are very expensive like depending on decoration,area,size and such you could pay $250 on up to $550.A 2 Gallon E S & B around here is normally around $95 were a 2 gallon Bee Sting is normally around $195.You can usually pick up plan crocks at yardsales and fleamarkets cheap like $10 - $15 and if they have a hairline even cheaper.Oh and when you go over 10 gallons the price will go up a little because the 15 gallons up are more rare.Hope this helps!~Amy
ReplyDeleteHi Steph, I have one almost the same as the 2nd one down in your pics, except it has a heart on it and was made by Medlata in the 1800's, I think ours is over 150 yrs old :) I buy mine cheap too, I don't mind a few cracks or chips, adds character, lol and I could never afford the really nice ones you have shown below.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day,
Trish
I have a passion for crocks. I only buy cheap. Things get Brocken from time to time & I would cry my eyes dry. Wonderful to fill with every day things such as my onions tatters candles & flowers. Most all mine have a chip or light cracks except those from my family line. I have just turned the flaws to the back. I have always wanted one with the blue but to cheap to spend what the asking prices are. Good luck! Congrats on your apron pocket win. Were getting the winds now. Such a shame that huge beautiful tree is a loss. So many years to have grown that size. Sorry for the little critters whose homes were about those branches. Bessings!
ReplyDeleteLara
Lara
I buy whichever one draws me to it... if I can afford it. Crocks are expensive here also. I don't mind the cracks and chips, I think they add character to the piece. I have passed over tons of crocks because they are too much $$ so be prepared to pay! I have never found any around here at garage sales or thrift stores. The only place you can find them here is at antique malls. I think it's because all of them sneaky dealers were up way before me and getting all the awesome deals, lol.
ReplyDeleteNow that is some wind to pull that tree up like that. Wow, roots and all! That's crazy. Don't let your girls go outside, you might lose them! Be careful and have a great weekend girl~