Rare and Fine Anna Pottery Salt-Glazed Stoneware Pig Flask w/ Black Hills Inscription, c1880

Spring 2026 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 61

Price Realized: $12,000.00

($10,000 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

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Auction Highlight: Spring 2026 Auction | Anna Pottery

Spring 2026 Auction Catalog

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Rare and Fine Anna Pottery Salt-Glazed Stoneware Pig Flask with Black Hills Inscription, Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick, Anna, IL, circa 1880, molded flask in the form of a pig with spout in rear, incised details to face and hooves, and anatomically-correct underside, the surface heavily-incised with the cobalt-highlighted inscription, "Shortest. Quickest. Cheapest. and Only / Safe and reliable route to California / and the Black hills. / with a little good old Bourbon in a hogs-." Haunch, chin, and underside decorated with an incised and cobalt-highlighted railroad map extending from the St. Louis, MO to the Black Hills of South Dakota, executed over a slip-coated surface. Landmarks include St. Louis Kansas City and Northern Railway, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, Sidney, Cheyenne, Black Hills, and Hot Springs. Provenance: From a long-term Illinois collection consigned to this auction. Excellent, essentially as-made condition with a minor in-the-firing contact mark (chip) to one side and two salt drips. L 6 3/4".