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Central America & West Indies (1939) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

Central America & West Indies (1939) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
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Central America & West Indies (1939) - Black Mug Design

This design gives you a map of Central America and the West Indies, drawn as it stood in 1939.

Visual Elements & Composition

The map is built around its subject. The isthmus of Central America runs across the design, with the scattered islands of the West Indies set out beyond it. Nothing is decorative for its own sake: the coastlines, the regional divisions and the place names carry the whole composition, so the eye moves from one shore to the next. The date, 1939, sits within the design as the anchor for everything else on it.

Meaning & Symbolism

Cartography of this kind is a record of how a region was understood at a given moment. A 1939 map shows the geography as it was then charted and named, which makes it a document of its era as much as a picture of land and sea. The year also places it on the eve of the Second World War, when the political map of the world was about to shift. Its mood is informative rather than ornamental, and that plainness is the point: it describes the region and lets the history sit in the date.

Turning the Map in Your Hands

A mug is never seen all at once. You turn it as you lift it, so the map arrives in sections, with coastline appearing at one edge while the islands slide out of view on the other. Wrapped around a curved surface, the isthmus bends toward you and the West Indies trail away, which suits a map of a region strung out across the sea. It is a good design for a coffee lover who likes a little history with their morning, or for a friend who has always wanted to know where everything sits on the map.

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.