Crocker Farm, a stoneware and redware speciality auction house, concluded its first sale of the calendar year on March 31. The auction grossed $1,849,230 (including a 20-percent buyers premium), making it the firms second highest gross total. An item of regional interest here in southcentral Pennsylvania was a one-and-a-half-gallon stoneware batter pail with three cobalt man-in-the-moon motifs, stamped COWDEN & WILCOX / HARRISBURG, PA. The ca. 1865 batter pail realized $54,000 (est. 15,000-$25,000), selling to a local private collector. Its over-the-top application of the famous man-in-the-moon motif three times on the same vessel melds rarity with extreme visual appeal, according to the Zipps, the family who owns and operates Crocker Farm. The front and sides are decorated with three brushed renderings of a long-nosed face in profile, emanating from a crescent-shaped foliate motif. Interestingly, the three man-in-the-moon motifs present three different facial expressions; the face to the left of the spout appears angry or disappointed, the face to the right of the spout happily displays a smile; and the larger face on the reverse appears satisfied or content. The pail included a tin lid and spout cover. Next week, we will highlight another item from this sale. To learn more, visit the online catalog with prices realized at www.crockerfarm.com.