Exceptional Albany-Slip-Glazed Stoneware Pig Flask, Signed "By / Anna Pottery," Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick, Anna, IL, Dated Nov 1874, molded in the form of a reclining pig with incised details to face and hooves, spout at rear, and anatomically-correct underside, incised on one side "Latest and most Reliable R.R. & River Guide / with a little good Old Bourbon in a hogs / By / Anna Pottery" followed by the highly unusual inscription, "Euston stock in a hogs [incised hand pointing at pig's rear]." This second inscription likely refers to a variety of bourbon. Remainder of pig incised with an elaborate railroad map of the Midwestern U.S. including rarely-seen inscriptions and the following landmarks: St. Louis the future capital in, Miss River, narrow gage, C & St L R.R., O & M RR, Alton, Bloomington, Sandoval, i.C.R.R, murphysboro, grand Tower, Cairo the, Junction, C & V. R.R., Vincens, Odin, Carbondale , S Normal, mounds, Tunnel Hill, Anna Jug city & Southern Asylum, Chicago the great corn mart of the world, and Cincinnati the ancient porkopolis. Two highly unusual, elaborate inscriptions are also included in the map. One reads "Centralia has struck coal and She is hapy(sic) Nov 1874." Another reads, "Jonesboro has gone Democratic and is Jubilent." Of additional note is the inscription, "Anna Jug City & Southern Asylum," referencing both the Kirkpatricks' pottery and the local mental asylum, which was built in 1869 and opened the year after this pig was made. This pig is the first bearing such an inscription that we have offered. A wonderful example of an iconic Anna form, featuring rarely-seen and possibly-unique inscriptions. Provenance: Recently discovered in a North Carolina home. Excellent, as-made condition with some in-the-firing mottling to Albany slip, an in-the-firing touch mark to proper right ear and snout, and some in-the-firing gritty residue to rear right leg and underside. L 7 3/4".
