Rare and Fine Anna Pottery Salt-Glazed Stoneware Pig Flask with Black Hills Inscription, Signed "By Anna Pottery / 1882", Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick, Anna, IL, 1882, molded flask in the form of a pig with hole in rear, anatomically-correct underside, and incised details to face and hooves, 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 Rye in a hogs- / By / Anna Pottery / 1882. 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, including the following landmarks: St. Louis Kansas City and Northern Railway, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, Julesburg, Sidney, Cheyenne, Salt Lake, Black hills, and California. Anna Pottery "Black Hills" pigs are considered scarce, and this flask is the first salt-glazed and cobalt-highlighted example that we have offered featuring this desirable Western-themed inscription. A significant recent discovery of a classic Kirkpatrick form, exhibiting even glazing to the surface, bright cobalt highlights, and crisp penmanship. Provenance: A fresh-to-the-market example, consigned by a descendant of the flask's original owner. Loss to end of one ear. Otherwise excellent condition. L 7 1/4".
