Values

Love Field Potteries

Values

This is the area I always dread. The values given below are not absolute and should only be used as a guide. Many people will have paid far less than these prices and just as many probably have paid far more. Regional scarcity may also influence pricing. A relatively new factor that influences asking price has been the demise of the sole proprietor antique store and the boom of the antique mall. With more and more weekend hobbyist putting items up for sale in the malls the customer often encounters what I will politely call pie in the sky pricing. When asked if a certain crock was rare or from a highly collectible manufacturer I have had more than one "dealer'" state " I don't know its a crock." I hate to be the one to break the news but a "Dave the Slave" crock ($11,000-$25,000) is not priced like a Love Field ($35-$79) and the converse is also true; a Love Field crock will never command a Dave price.

I know the above illustration is a little extreme but it makes a point and the point is that all crocks are not made equal. Would be "dealers" and collectors of pottery have realize this. It is ridiculous for a dealer to ask the same price for a Love Field 20th century molded, Bristol glazed, rubber stamped crock as he/she is asking for an 18th or 19th century hand turned, hand decorated salt, alkaline or ash glazed crock. Unfortunately this is beginning to happen far too often in some of the antique malls today. I hope this guide will help educate some as to what the average market price of these pieces is and what they do actually sell for. I have included only the actual selling price. Not the asking price, in my computations. I based the figures on prices realized at Auctions (both internet as well as live), Antique stores, Junk stores and all the other vendors listed above.

Condition is always important but in crocks it does not seem to be as deadly a sin as it is to the bibliophile. On more unusual pieces I have been far less critical than the more common pieces in my collection.

Churns:

$35-$85 with most being sold in the $45-70 range. Top prices usual realized on churns with original lids and dashers. Note 2-4 gallons are the most commonly seen sizes. Blue Banded churns are seldom found and should bring a premium. Note: I have seen churns priced in the high $100's but every time I return to the store they are still sitting where they were before.

Jugs:

$35-75 with most selling in the $45-55 range. This is one are that dealers seem that bigger is better. In fact the 5 and 2-gallon jugs are the easiest to find. Note: I have seen jugs priced in the high $100's but every time I return to the store they are still sitting where they were before.

Hand-turned Jug: Are you ready for this one. I paid probably two much but it is the only one I have seen. I bought it at auction and 2 other people bid well over $100.00 and I finally got it at $220.00. I was prepared to go to $300.00 but luckily did not have to. Now that I own one I'm not sure the next one will drive me to insanity...I feel $125-225 is where they might sell for but Im not sure. Let me hear from you . What do you think?

Straight Wall Crocks:

$15-45 1-5 Gallon with most selling in the $25-35 range. 2 gallon is the most common size.

$45-125 6-10 gallons with most selling in the $45-70 range. Again most dealers feel the larger the size the higher the price but I have seen many large over priced crocks set for years and only collect dust.

$80-169 12+ gallons with most selling in the $100-135 range. Again most dealers feel the larger the size the higher the price but I have seen many large over priced crocks set for years and only collect dust. In fact I gave 35.00 for my 15-gallon crock.

Unusual Items

Due to the rarity of these items the values presented here are what I actually paid or what they sold. Some of these items I believe the selling price was too low. I confess I think I stole some of them. The dealer apparently had no idea about the rarity of the items I purchased.

Pitcher: $125-200 This item was on ebay and did not sell for the 200 min. I believe this item should have sold in the 125-150 ranges.

Large Chicken Feeder: $45.00 Note: condition is poor. In good to very good I think it could easily bring $65-85

Small Chicken Feeder/Water: $25-65.00

Water Cooler: $100-$225 with the average price around $150.00. This is one example where condition does matter. Apparently the appeal and the willingness to pay substantially more for a water cooler than one would for Straight Wall Crock is not only because it is collectable, but also because it is functional. Thus, if a water cooler is damaged to the point that it is no longer functional its price decreases dramatically. I have passed on $40 and $50 non-functional (cracked) Love Field water coolers.

Cheese Crock: $35 I feel they should bring at least the value of a straight wall and probably command a 10-30%premium.. At a recent auction 9/2002 I saw one go for over $75.00

Hand-Turned Jug: Are you ready for this one. I paid probably two much but it is the only one I have seen. I bought it at auction and 2 other people bid well over $100.00 and I finally got it at $220.00. I was prepared to go to $300.00 but luckily did not have to. Now that I own one I'm not sure the next one will drive me to insanity...I feel $125-225 is where they might sell for but Im not sure. Let me hear from you . What do you think?

For those interested in submitting pictures or information to be included on this web site please email them to: Lovefieldpottery@aol.com

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