American Toby Jug Museum 

Major General large size toby jug designed by Clarice Cliff and produced by Shorter & Son of Stoke-on-Trent, England, circa 1950. From the Gilbert and Sullivan opera "The Pirates of Penzance", pirates arrive capture several girls, intending to marry them. Mabel warns the pirates that the girls' father is a Major-General Stanley, who soon arrives and introduces himself. He appeals to the pirates not to take his daughters, leaving him to face his old age alone. Having heard of the famous Pirates of Penzance, he pretends that he is an orphan to elicit their sympathy. The soft-hearted pirates release the girls, making Major-General Stanley and his daughters honorary members of their band. "The Pirates of Penzance", or "The Slave of Duty" is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. Its official premiere was in New York City in December 1879, where it was well received by both audiences and critics. Its London debut was in April 1880 at the Opera Comique where it ran for 363 performances. With permission from D'Oyly Carte, Shorter modeled this series based on the actor and costumes from the operas and posing in scenes from the operas. A turret and arch of the building behind the General form the handle of the jug. The small size Major General toby jug stands 5" tall.