American Toby Jug Museum 

John Shorter character jug modeled by William K. Harper and produced by Royal Doulton of Burslem, England, in a 1991 limited edition of 1,500 commissioned by the Character and Toby Jug Collectors Society of Australia. The Shorter family maintained a long connection with the Doulton family dating back to 1892 when John Shorter, this John's grandfather, became Doulton's agent in Australia. John Shorter (1912-2006) began working for Royal Doulton in 1929, his family's business in Australia representing Doulton in that region of the world. In 1930 John spent six months working in various factories in England to gain hands-on pottery experience. In 1956 he became Chairman and Managing Director of the Shorter family company that continued to operate independently until 1970 when it was purchased by Doulton. John retired in 1971 and opened his own retail business, Shorters, in Sydney to deal in china and crystal. A kangaroo and joey form the handle of this jug.