Old Sleepy Eye...4 inch small pitcher..original

Description

This is a 4 inch Old Sleepy Eye blue and white pitcher. It is made by Western Stoneware Co. of Monmouth, IL. It measures 4 inches tall to the highest point on the rim. The diameter of the base is 3 inches. It is impressed with 42 s on the bottom. The pitcher is not marked.  There are two chips:  a small one near the lip on the rim and one near the bottom
This item and many others were produced in great quantities from Illinois mined clay.
The Sleepy Eye Flour Mill in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, was founded there in the 188O's and operated until 1921.
As the story goes, "Old Sleepy Eye", the Indian, was taken as a trademark by the milling company and they ordered the pottery to be placed in their flour sacks. "Old Sleepy Eye" (or Ishtahumba, which means eyelids drooping) as was his real name,
was a Chief of the Lower Sisseton Sioux and was born near the present site of Mankato, Minnesota..
Pitchers came in only five sizes: 4 inches, 5 1/4 inches, 6 1/2 inches, 8 inches, and 9 inches. Th
is pottery does not suggest quality and much is found chipped or cracked. Crazing and discoloration are common. This works well with an Early American decorating theme and is in demand as there are few pieces remaining.
As outlined in an article (realorrepro.com) this piece is felt to be an original based on the definitive characteristics listed by the author/expert.