11.75" x 8" Dia. (base and at midpoint including handle).

An exceptional and likely unique earthenware advertising stein made for Herman Andrew Krafft (later anglicised to Kraft; 1876-1926) who was a cigar maker, initially in Waterloo from about 1897 to 1899, then in Berlin from 1900 until 1916. Krafft manufactured a variety of cigars including the three identified on this stein: Daisy Cigar, Kraffts Special and Berlin Choice. The stein is attributed to the Huron Pottery in Egmondville during Ferdinand Burgard's tenure as owner/operator. Although this dark olive green glaze colour is not one normally associated with his wares, there are very similar known examples (merchant jugs) and the style of the incised script (sgraffito) is also consistent with multiple examples of earthenware merchant/souvenir jugs reliably attributed as Burgard's handiwork. The script on this stein is beautifully accented in a dark blue/green colour and the condition is remarkable, which suggests this stein was never intended for utilitarian use. Ex-Alvie Doernish collection. 1900-1910. Marked in sgraffito, "Smoke / Daisy Cigar / Kraffts Special / Berlin Choice / Mfg by H. Krafft / Berlin Ont".

Excellent condition with just some very minor in-manufacture roughness along the base edge at the front and a few tiny insignificant chips.