J. E. JEFFORDS & CO., PHILADELPHIA ATTRIBUTED BLUE-GLAZED POTTERY BOOK FLASK, cobalt-blue glaze over yellowware body, molded geometric designs to front and back cover, spine divided into four quadrants, stamped "HISTORY OF HOLLAND" in the second-highest section of spine. John E. Jeffords' Philadelphia City Pottery. Fourth quarter 19th century. 5 5/8" HOA.
Literature: Stradling - "Fancy Rockingham" Pottery: The Modeller and Ceramics in Nineteenth-Century America, p. 30 and p. 93, cat. no. 60; Spargo - The Potters and Potteries of Bennington, p. 236. 
Catalogue Note: An identical example (with the same stamped title, and same size) can be found in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, object no. 302802 (accession nos. 2008-25-35a,b).
Rockingham-glazed pottery book flasks were a well-known and popular production item among 19th century factories. Best known are the wide variety of Bennington examples, attributed to the United States Pottery Co. around mid century. They are often stamped with witty, tongue-in-cheek titles (most often "Departed Spirits") referencing their alcoholic contents. Following in the tradition of the earlier Bennington factory, J. E. Jeffords' pottery produced its own spin on the "book flask" genre, always in this striking semi-translucent blue lead glaze (described in company records as "Blue Stone Ware"). This glaze also seen on other products of theirs, including teapots and Toby jugs.
The book flasks come in at least two sizes, the present example being the larger of the two. The sizes can be distinguished at a glance by the larger examples having an extra section on the spine (four instead of three). The known titles are cheeky references to liquor - "HISTORY OF HOLLAND" alluding to gin (Holland's most famous export) and "COMIN THRO' THE RYE" alluding to whiskey.
Their place in the pantheon of figural pottery bottles has been underexplored, but their presence in Philadelphia is easy to explain. As Stradling and Spargo both note, one of the most famous Bennington modelers, Stephen Theis (born 1824, death date unknown), moved west after the closure of the USPCo in 1858. After brief stints at several other East Coast and Midwestern factories, he settled in Philadelphia, where he worked as the foreman of Jeffords' pottery. He was still living and working in Philadelphia as late as 1886; a directory that year finds him listed as a potter. His preeminent position as a modeller and his vast experience as a practical potter would have enabled him to shape to the offerings of Jeffords' pottery - and echoes of his Bennington days can be seen in these flasks, as well as in other designs attributed to him.

Excellent condition with a minute bruise to bottom edge of spine and some painted restoration to a couple minor chips/flakes, including one along base edge and one at an adjacent corner.