SOLD
 
An unusual, patent 'One Pint Imperial Measure' Staffordshire pottery ale mug. Of tapered form with hand-painted decoration. Patented by J. Tams, of Longton, this mug guaranteed a full pint was being served in a Public House, verified by the government's weights and measures. This verification was endorsed with a 'VR' cipher on one side of the mug, and a lead seal on the bottom. There are a couple of chips to the bottom rim, and a couple of small hairline cracks, but nonetheless, this is a rare survivor.