Extremely Rare Rustic Earthenware Umbrella Stand, Inscribed "Let me hold / Your Umbrella" and "Municipal Pottery / Chicago, Ill," circa 1915, tall, cylindrical vessel modeled in the form of a tree stump with applied vines and berries, the midsection bearing the inscription, "Let me hold / Your Umbrella," in raised letters. Underside hand-incised with the large signature, "Municipal Pottery/ Chicago, Ill." Municipal Pottery was the Pottery Department of the House of Correction of the City of Chicago, founded in the 1910's and quickly decried by local potters for drastically undercutting their prices. A report issued by the prison praised the skill of the prisoners at the pottery shop, claiming them to be "proficient in speed," that the "inmates like the work," and that it "is a healthy, pleasant and interesting occupation ... that might be of use to them in the future." A 1925 article noted, "There have been so many protests on the part of pot makers who have to pay for their labor ... that the authorities in charge of the House of Correction have discontinued the sale of flower pots." This is the only example of historic American pottery we are aware of that was made in a prison. Original painted surface. Some chips to base and rim, painted over with possibly later paint. Some minor exfoliation to base. A few chips to applied vines. H 22 3/4".
Special Note: Due to this object's large size, we are unable to ship it using our normal in-house shipping service. It must either be picked up by the high bidder, or special arrangements must be made by the high bidder for pick up and / or shipping by a third party. If you have any questions, please contact us; we are certainly able to recommend options for third party shippers ahead of time that you can contact for a quote.
