A coffee pot, featuring brown and maroon transfer-print illustration of the ship, the Pequod, from Moby Dick on a cream background. Produced by the Los Angeles-based Vernon Kilns between 1938 and 1940, this coffee pot was part of a dinnerware series inspired by Herman Melville's Moby Dick and was designed by the traveler, writer, and artist Rockwell Kent. Many of Kent's illustrations reflect his love for travel and adventure, and in 1930, Kent designed the book jacket and 280 illustrations for an edition of Melville's classic novel. According to Maxine Feek Nelson, "Moby Dick" was the most popular dinnerware set that Kent designed for Vernon Kilns. Each item depicted a nautical vista, encircled by a sunburst pattern and the striped border that is characteristic of this series. The base of the pot is stamped with the name of the pattern, Rockwell Kent's signature, and "Vernon Kilns." Kent's designs were executed on shapes designed by Vernon Kilns master artist Gale Turnbull. Single chip to lid and to handle, else a fine and rare Kent collectable. (Collectible Vernon Kilns, p. 186).