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Aiken House On Weldon Railroad, Virginia (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Aiken House On Weldon Railroad, Virginia (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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Aiken House On Weldon Railroad, Virginia (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

A sepia albumen photograph of a two-storey farmhouse stands framed in a cream mat, its white picket fence and shade trees holding a moment from February 1865.

Visual Elements & Composition

The photograph sits in a pale cream mat, the way it would have been mounted in a period album, and sepia dominates the frame. Warm browns and muted greys carry the scene: the house, the dark mass of foliage, and the bark of the large trees that shade the lot. A white picket fence runs across the front, and small figures gather near the porch and fence line. The caption printed beneath reads "AIKEN HOUSE ON WELDON RAILROAD, VIRGINIA" with "No. 71" and "February, 1865", so the record of the image is part of the composition itself.

Meaning & Symbolism

The house was an ordinary residence near Petersburg, Virginia, placed close to the Weldon Railroad, a Confederate supply line that Union forces worked to sever from June 1864 to April 1865. The people on the porch and the Union soldier posted there show civilian life under military occupation: a household going on while armies fought around it. The soldier's job was to keep wandering stragglers away from the property, which makes the picture a record of Union authority imposed over local devastation. It was published by Alexander Gardner in his Photographic Sketchbook of the War, which is why it survives as one of the period's most detailed glimpses of domestic life in total war.

On the Black Coffee Mug

A mug is held in both hands and turned slowly as the coffee cools, so the image travels around the cup rather than sitting still. Each turn brings the house, the fence and the porch back into view, a quiet reminder of the people who lived beside that railroad. It makes a thoughtful choice for a history reader's morning.

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.