The Kirkpatrick Brothers of Anna, IL. utilized clay to fashion wares advertising their strong opinions on such wide-ranging topics as politics, corrupt tax officials and the temperance movement. Cornwall (1814-1890) and Wallace (1828-1896) are now known as two of the finest potters in the country and their wares are found in varied collections including the Smithsonian Institution. As potters, Anna's rich, creamy-yellow kaolin clay provided a perfect medium for their wares. Another benefit of the town was the its strategic location alongside the Illinois Central Rail Road (ICRR), providing the necessary transportation to ship their utilitarian output of pottery such as crocks, churns and garden wares, which constituted the staples of their business. Not content making mere utilitarian wares, Anna Pottery also produced fantastical items, most of which still usually filled a practical function. These items included frog inkwells, mugs hiding unsavory surprises at their bottoms, snake jugs and pig flasks (like the example offered here). These items were given/sold to politicians, liquor manufacturers, tavern owners and fair-goers throughout the country. The well-known pig flasks also provided an avenue for the Kirkpatrick Brothers to assert their unabashed views of cities throughout the country. These "Latest And Greatest Railroad And River Guides" sport railroad routes incised across their body surfaces. Geographic license was taken in that select cities were strategically placed along the routes, revealing the Kirkpatrick Brothers' personal and political views of said communities. Well-liked cities were placed in prominent locations such as the shoulder or back, whereas less admired cities found themselves relegated to the pig's posterior. Offered here is a 6.75" long red ware figural flask w/a salt glaze. Incised text along pig's spine reads "Fine Old Bourbon In A Hog's" w/line pointing to flask opening in the pig's posterior. Also along the pig's spine is "St. Louis" mark, indicating a favorable view of the city in the Brothers' eyes. Cincinnati, OH. does not fare as well, w/the city's name incised on the underside of the pig, where it would be in the mud as pig is depicted lying down. The towns of Cairo and Mounds, IL. are also depicted unfavorably, w/their names appearing beside flask opening on pig's posterior. Side of pig has incised railroad map w/"Centralia, ICRR, OKM" and "CB/ICRR" routes marked. Dunleith, IL. is featured, incised across pig's face, the pig's eye substituting for the "I" in Dunleith. Also incised on the pig's face is "Chicago" mark, which appears on the snout. c. 1880s. Exc. as made, w/glaze showing nice high gloss. Rare.