Fine Salt-Glazed Anna Pottery Stoneware Advertising Railroad Pig Flask, Inscribed "Compliments of / A.E. Marks / No 215 N. Main St St Louis / 1887", Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick, Anna, IL, 1887, molded flask in the form of a pig with incised details to face and hooves, hole at rear, and anatomically-correct underside, one side featuring the elaborate incised and cobalt-highlighted inscription, "St. Louis the future Great- / Latest and Only Reliable / Railroad and River Guide / Compliments of / A.E. Marks / No 215 N. Main St St Louis / 1887". Remainder of pig incised with a cobalt-highlighted railroad map of the Midwestern U.S., including the following landmarks: Miss River, G. Tower, M & O R.R., O & M, alton, C & A. R.R., Springfield, Bloomington, Jonesboro, Cairo, Anna, Carbondale, DuQuoin, Tamaroa, Centralia, Odin, Vandalia, Champaign, Kankakee, Pullman, C.B.i.C.R.R., Tunnel Hill, Vincennes, Chicago the Corn ciy(sic), Dubuque, Cincinnati the Pork city. The figure's well-carved eyes include cobalt highlights. Surface of pig covered in a lustrous salt glaze over a light-gray ground. A noteworthy example of an iconic Anna form, featuring the prized salt-glazed surface, appealing merchant advertising, and excellent color and condition. Provenance: Recently discovered in the estate of the consignor's grandmother. Excellent, essentially as-made condition with a minor nick to one ear, which was smoothed over prior to firing and salt-glazed over. L 7".
