Cow Pitchers: The Tall and the Short of It
                                       by Steve and Karen Stone 

 The Cow pitcher was produced by the A.E. Hull Pottery Company, Ohio, in the first quarter of the 20th century; Hull Pottery Company called these pitchers “Dairy Jug.” In their 1973 book Blue and White Pottery authors Mary Joseph and Edith Harbin ascribed the name Cow pitcher to these pieces, the name has stuck.
        It seems no end of these utilitarian pitchers were produced because they are everywhere (demand must have been very strong); they can be found in most antique shops and malls, Internet pottery auctions, and many farm and estate auctions.
        Although the Cow pitcher was produced in a variety of heights from about 5-1/2 inches to 9 inches tall most found today are about 8 inches tall give or take a bit.
         A number of color combinations and solid colors are known such as blue (ranging from a soft power blue to an intense deep cobalt) & white, green & cream, brown & green, and solid blue, green, white, brown, and yellow among other colors.
         Two of the most difficult sizes of  Cow pitchers to find are those that are 5-1/2 inches tall and 9 inches tall. However, with intense and dedicated searching these sizes can be found.
        The short pitcher holds about 2 cups (possibly intended as a creamer or syrup pitcher) while the tall pitcher holds 1 gallon and weighs 12 pounds when filled with lemonade or milk.
        A typical daily purpose of these pitchers could include table use at family meals; it would take a strong and steady hand to pick up and pour from, or pass, these big pitchers which could help explain why so many have chips on the spout tip.
    The above photo illustrates the 9 inch and 5-1/2 inch tall Cow pitchers.

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