Rarely seen Islington pub marked 1840s Queen Victoria stoneware reform flask

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Rarely seen Islington pub marked 1840s Queen Victoria stoneware reform flask :
$169.99

We are listing this rarely seen 1840s Queen Victoria salt glazed stoneware reform flask which incised on one side under Victoria with the words DELL Lower Road Islington. Reform flasks became quite popular in the 1830s and 1840s - to hold liquor and at the same time to celebrate The Reform Act of 1832 (which gave more power to the people) - and flasks marked for individual persons or pubs are the rarest of all. In this case DELL refers to William Dell who was the publican (proprietor) of the Thatched House Tavern on the Lower Road in Islington (per the 1843 Commercial Directory). This Queen Victoria flask was based on a portrait of the Queen by Sir Thomas Hayter, although by the time this particular example was made the mold was obviously worn down (it is unknown which pottery made these flasks). You can see another example of the Victoria flask on page 47 of A COLLECTOR\"S GUIDE TO REFORM FLASKS, which notes that pub marked versions are scarce. You can also see a larger version of this flask (with a handle) on page 48 of STONEWARE BOTTLES From Bellarmines to Ginger Beers 1500-1949. The listed flask is over 7 inches tall, over 3.25 inches wide, displays rather well, and it is in very good overall condition. There is a hairline by Victoria on one side (see the last picture), a tiny flake out of the inside of the lip, and a couple of thin flakes off the bottom edge, but none of these really affect the look of the piece. Please view the closeup pictures and judge for yourself. A very interesting rarely seen piece of history.

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