Rare Anna Pottery New Year's Day Stoneware Pig Flask, Signed and Dated "By / Anna Pottery / Jan. 1 1886," Wallace and Cornwall Kirkpatrick, Anna, IL, 1886, molded flask in the form of a reclining pig with hole at rear, incised details to face and hooves, and anatomically correct underside. Incised on one side "Latest and Only Reliable / Railroad and River Guide / By / Anna Pottery / Jan 1. 1886." Remainder of pig incised with a railroad map of the Midwestern United States, including the following landmarks: St. Louis the future great, Miss. river, Cairo, Jonesboro, Grand tower, Chester, O & M, Alton, Springfield, C & A, Bloomington, C.B.I.C.R.R., Pullman, Kankakee, Gillman, Champaign, Mattoon, Indianapolis, Vincennes, Odin, Centralia, Tamaroa, Duquoin, Carbondale, Anna, Mounds, Cincinnati, and Chicago [t]he Great Corn Crib. Surface covered in a clear salt glaze with cobalt highlights to incising. Solid cobalt highlights to eyes of pig. The inclusion of a full date on this flask is unusual. Restoration to large section of one ear. Large loss to tail. Chips to spout. Two salt drips to reverse. Provenance: A recently-discovered example. L 7 1/4".
