American Toby Jug Museum 

William Gladstone prototype toby jug produced by Mason's of Hanley, England, circa 1975. William Gladstone (1809-1898) was a British statesman and Liberal politician. In a career lasting over 60 years he served for 12 years as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom spread over four terms beginning in 1868 and ending in 1894. He also served as Chancellor of the Exchequer four times serving over 12 years. Note the axe in his lap which refers to Gladstone's enthusiasm for chopping down a tree a day. A tree branch forms the handle of the jug. This is one of ten known prototype toby jugs produced by Masons in the mid 1970s but never put into production.