The Antique Shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts: September 9, 2015

It was an usual day for me yesterday where I did not find any pottery to bring home with me from the antique shows in Brimfield, Massachusetts - and, to be honest with you - I usually find something (anything) to write about at most of the antique shows that I have attended in Brimfield (whether I bought something or not); however, I can't buy something everyday. It probably didn't help, either that I was still tired from the 99 degree heat in Brimfield on Tuesday and having been walking around since 5:45 am yesterday morning in more heat that rose, again into the low-90's. Never-the-less, I did see some beautiful examples of redware that dealers like Samuel Herrup  (Massachusetts) and others brought to the shows that began yesterday. New Hampshire antiques collector, dealer and auctioneer, Joshua Steenburgh said to me, "It's not healthy for a bank account (to buy something everyday)." I couldn't agree more with Josh!

Sunrise in Brimfield, MA - September 9, 2015

The Cars Were Beginning to Line Up Looking for Parking Spots at 5:45 am
I Arrived at 5:30 am

Rather than ending today's story as having a slow day in Brimfield yesterday - I am going to share an object that I discovered at Todd's Farm Flea Market in Rowley, Massachusetts last Sunday. This miniature object was likely a souvenir red earthenware jug probably handed out or sold in the late-1800's.

I purchased the jug from an older woman who setup at the flea market alongside her son. She told me that she currently lives in Keene, New Hampshire. She also told me the object that I purchased was her's - and, she had owned it for many years along with many other miniature objects. She told me that the reason she was trying to sell some of her collection is the result of her moving into her son's home in Peabody, Massachusetts - and, she no longer has the room that she used to have to keep her entire collection.

Initially, I thought this jug may have been made at the Charles A. Lawrence Pottery in Beverly, Massachusetts in the 1890's or the early-1900's. My reason behind this idea is the result of period advertising that I have studied, which has revealed that Lawrence sold 'Souvenir Bean Pots from the Battle of Gettysburg' in the late-1890's and the early-1900's. Originally, I purchased this miniature jug for the chance that it could be tied to this production line, but I have since learned otherwise.

This advertisement was taken from the 1903 Beverly City Directory that is owned by the Beverly Historical Society. I have highlighted the section that mentions the 'souvenir bean pots'.

C.A. Lawrence Pottery Advertisement from the 1903 Beverly, MA City Directory

The Business Advertises a Variety of Products that Include 'Souvenir Bean Pots from Gettysburg'

Photo Courtesy: Beverly, MA Historical Society

Across the front of this miniature jug is stamped, 'Gettysburg / July 1. 2. 3. 63.' After researching this jug and this subject - I found that other matching jugs are attributed today to the Henry and Charles Speese Pottery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania from about 1885. These jugs were all made as souvenirs after the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place on July 1, 2, 3, 1863.

Crocker Farm in Sparks, Maryland sold five miniature examples (various forms related to this jug) at their sale a few months ago in July of 2015. The auction house identified a period advertisement from around 1885 that described these miniatures: "Made from material (clay) taken from the most historical portions of the field (in Gettysburg), they are themselves relics" (Lasansky, Central Pennsylvania Redware Pottery: 1780-1904, page 18).

From what I have read, "H. Speese & Sons made utilitarian wares and some decorative products in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In the summer months they setup an outdoor stand for the tourist trade that came to the area to remember and see the land where the Battle of Gettysburg took place. They sold miniature cannonballs, canteens, jugs and other tiny objects to be used (and kept) as souvenirs. Where the clay came from was a major selling point for these objects."

 19th Century Miniature Red Earthenware Jug

Probably Made at the Speese Pottery in Gettysburg, PA

The Jug is Stamped 'Gettysburg / July 1. 2. 3. 63.'

A Quarter is Shown for a Size Reference

Stands 7/8" Tall

Discovered Last Week at Todd's Farm Flea Market in Rowley, MA

 Another View of the Jug

 Another View of the Jug

 View of the Handle

 View of the Top of the Jug

View of the Base

Here are some of the other souvenirs that were made at the Speese Pottery in Gettysburg. The photos are courtesy of Crocker Farm in Maryland. These objects were all handed down through the Speese family until they were purchased in the 1970's by the family who consigned them to Crocker Farm this past July.

 19th Century Speese Pottery Miniatures - Gettysburg, PA
Circa 1885
These Descended through the Speese Family to the Present Owner Before they Sold in 2015
All Made as Souvenirs for the Battle of Gettysburg July 1-3, 1863
Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

Another View of the Miniatures

Photo Courtesy: Crocker Farm - Sparks, MD

Please Stay Tuned...Much More to Come...