Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed "W. J. Bailey," William James Bailey, Galena, IL

Summer 2023 Stoneware Auction

Lot #: 113

Price Realized: $3,240.00

($2,700 hammer, plus 20% buyer's premium)

PLEASE NOTE:  The American ceramics market frequently changes, often dramatically. Additionally, small nuances of color, condition, shape, etc. can mean huge differences in price. If you're interested in having us sell a similar item for you, please contact us here.

Summer 2023 Auction Catalog

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Extremely Rare and Important Glazed Redware Lidded Jar, Inscribed "W.J. Bailey," William James Bailey, Galena, IL, 19th century, ovoid jar with footed base, incised line decoration to shoulder, dramatic stepped and scalloped rim, and ring handles descending from applied, scored blocks of clay. Surface covered in a glossy reddish-brown lead-and-manganese glaze. Includes original domed lid with matching glaze. Incised in script at the shoulder with the name, "W.J. Bailey," for William James Bailey. Bailey was born in 1839 in Toronto. In 1859 he immigrated to the United States, perhaps with the intention of taking work at the pottery in Galena, as he had arrived there by 1862 at the latest. In the 1870 federal census he is listed as a potter in Galena, working at what appears to have been a pottery owned by Andrew Jenkins and John Wayden. In the 1880 census he is listed as "Bill" Bailey, his occupation given as "Manf. Pottery" ("Manufacturer of Pottery" or "Manufactures Pottery"), again probably working at the Jenkins pottery. Sometime between 1881 and 1900, he moved to Nebraska, dying there in 1916. Signed Galena redware is exceedingly rare from any period and this jar would date among the earliest documentable examples of redware from this potting center known. Chips and wear to exterior of rim. Roughness and wear to interior of rim and inner rim for lid. Base chips. Minor wear to handles. One handle with two in-the-firing breaks to ring. Lid in very nice condition with a minor edge chip, minor edge wear, a 7/8" hairline from edge, and two minor chips to flange on its underside. H (including lid) 10 3/4".

Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed Extremely Rare and Important Elaborate Redware Lidded Jar Inscribed

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