Yellow Ware "Sweetheart Pitcher" In Rockingham Glaze - Possibly Bennington Pottery c. 1850

Found this on that auction site at a great price. Looked like a real nice pitcher in a Rockingham glaze, just thought I'd found a good deal. So I had been studying Bennington forms and styles at the time and was reading, "Bennington Pottery and Porcelain," by Richard Carter Barrett, and came upon the page shown in pic 4.

Turns out this is a "Sweetheart Pitcher". These were usually made in white, and people would have them personalized for weddings, anniversaries and things in blue. According to the page above:
"Made in Rockingham glaze, ONLY KNOWN EXAMPLE, 1850-1858. This design was usually made in graniteware, decorated in gold and blue."

The one pictured is 9 1/2 inches high, and mine is only 8 inches tall. I wonder if the 8 inch pitchers were as rare??? The form is almost identical.

It has a purplish sheen, a luster to it. I have seen this same characteristics on other, signed, Bennington Rockingham glazed pieces.

Not without some issues....there is a chip to the rim, and it looks like the handle has a crack where it meets the body, someone glued it pretty neatly. Not signed.

Hope you enjoy it!