Exceedingly Rare D Ack / Mooresburg Pa Stoneware Presentation Pitcher for "J.C. RHODES / 1879"

Spring 2025 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 173

Price Realized: $3,900.00

($3,250 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE: The American ceramics market frequently changes, often dramatically. Additionally, small nuances of color, condition, shape, etc. can mean huge differences in price. If you're interested in having us sell a similar item for you, please contact us here.

Auction Highlight: Spring 2025 Auction | Central PA Stoneware

Spring 2025 Auction Catalog

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Exceedingly Rare One-Gallon Cobalt-Decorated Stoneware Presentation Pitcher, Inscribed "J.C. RHODES / 1879," Stamped "D Ack / Mooresburg Pa," 1879, ovoid pitcher with semi-squared rim, featuring the brushed cobalt inscription, "J.C. RHODES / 1879," accented with cobalt flourishes. James C. Rhodes appears in the 1880 federal census as a grocer in nearby Danville; it is likely that he was one of the local merchants who stocked Ack's ware. Dash decoration to spout and highlights to handle terminals. Impressed with cobalt-highlighted Daniel Ack maker's mark at shoulder. Among the finest examples of Ack family stoneware that we have ever offered, this work is noteworthy for its highly unusual pitcher form and presentation inscription. It is both the first Ack pitcher as well as the first Ack piece bearing an inscription for its owner that we have ever offered. In-the-firing chips around bottom edge. A 1 1/8" flake to interior of spout area. A small chip to interior of rim. A minor chip to proper far right edge of spout. Some additional minor wear to spout and molding at base of collar. A faint Y-shaped line across underside, likely in-the-firing and not visible on interior. H 9 3/4".