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A Group Of Contrabands (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

A Group Of Contrabands (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $17.99 USD
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A Group Of Contrabands (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This sepia albumen stereoview shows a gathering of formerly enslaved people who had reached Union lines during the American Civil War, photographed in front of a clapboard building in 1865.

Visual Elements & Composition

Sepia tan dominates the image, with dark brown shadows and a cream card border that give the photograph its aged, documentary warmth. Two side-by-side arched panels hold the scene, and the group sits and stands in the front row, with children seated at the front and women in headwraps among them. The clapboard wall and doorway anchor the background. Printed text runs through the design: "A Group of 'Contrabands,'" "The War For the Union," "1861 Photographic War History," and the numerals 1861, 1865 and 383.

Meaning & Symbolism

During the war, "contraband" was the name given to people who escaped Confederate territory and sought protection from Union forces. Commanders treated them as confiscated Confederate property, yet the label also shielded them from being returned to slavery. Many lived in makeshift contraband camps, where they worked as laborers, nurses and guides while the Union army and groups such as the Freedmen's Bureau provided food, shelter and limited schooling. Their gathering marks a turn from forced labour to active participation in the war, and a step toward emancipation and Reconstruction.

On the Black Mug

A mug is turned in the hand, so the stereoview's paired panels come into view one after the other as the cup rotates. The black ground frames the sepia figures the way a card mount holds an old photograph, and the cream border lets the group's faces hold the eye at close range, where a mug invites a long look over the morning's first cup.

Size

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Glossy black ceramic mugs in two practical sizes — 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml). Comfortable C-handle, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and manufactured to be lead- and BPA-free. Note: printed blacks may read slightly different from the mug’s base color.

These mugs are made from solid ceramic with a glossy glaze that gives a deep, even surface for printing. Sublimation printing embeds ink into the glaze so artwork sits smoothly on the mug rather than simply sitting on top — that means better resistance to fading and scratching during normal use.

They’re available in the classic 11-ounce size for everyday black coffee and tea, and a larger 15-ounce cup if you like extra room for milk, foam or a long pour. The C-shaped handle is wide enough for a secure grip and balances the mug well when full.

  • Material: 100% ceramic with a high-gloss finish for punchy, saturated results.
  • Sizes: 11 oz (≈330 ml) and 15 oz (≈440 ml) — choose your routine size.
  • Printing: sublimation process fuses color into the glaze for durable imagery.
  • Safety: lead- and BPA-free; meets common food-contact safety standards.
  • Design note: very dark artwork and the mug’s black base can produce subtle shade differences — add a thin lighter outline to ensure contrast if needed.

These mugs are at home in the kitchen, on the office desk, or tucked into a morning routine. They work for espresso shots, pour-overs, oat-milk lattes — you name it. The larger size is handy when you want a second cup’s worth without a refill.

  1. Daily use: fill with your preferred brew and sip — the mug handles hot liquids safely.
  2. Office-friendly: fits most standard mug warmers and sits securely on communal trays and kitchen counters.
  3. Gifting: packs well (wrap with a soft layer) and pairs nicely with coffee beans, tea tins, or a small box of biscuits.

Practical tip: for very dark designs, try a thin light border or a small margin so the artwork reads cleanly against the black ceramic.

These mugs are both microwave- and dishwasher-safe, but gentle habits extend the life of the print. We recommend dishwasher use on the top rack and milder cycles when possible.

Hand-washing is the friendliest option: warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge. Avoid steel wool, harsh scouring pads, or blasting with extremely hot industrial cycles. And a quick reminder — don’t microwave an empty mug.

Two sizes: 11 oz (approx. 330 ml) and 15 oz (approx. 440 ml). The smaller cup is the familiar, everyday size; the larger one is for fuller pours and extra-creamy drinks.

Each mug’s mouth and height are proportioned so they’re easy to drink from and easy to clean. If you’re pairing with saucers or nesting in cabinets, expect the 15 oz to be slightly wider and taller than the 11 oz.

Size guide

All measurements are product dimensions in inches.

11 oz 15 oz
Height (in) 3.86 4.72
Diameter (in) 3.35 3.35
Diameter with handle (in) 4.72 5.12

Note: dimensions are nominal — small production tolerances may apply. If you need precise fitment (e.g., for nested storage or custom packaging), please allow a small margin.