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Charles City Court House, Va. Rear View Of The Courthouse (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Charles City Court House, Va. Rear View Of The Courthouse (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

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Regular price $17.99 USD
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Charles City Court House, Va. Rear View Of The Courthouse (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This is a documentary photograph of the rear of the Charles City County Courthouse in Virginia, taken in June 1864 by Timothy H. O'Sullivan while working with Alexander Gardner.

Visual Elements & Composition

The image is rendered entirely in tones of grey, from pale silvery highlights to near-black shadow, the palette of a glass plate negative. A brick building fills much of the frame, its rear wall marked by a chimney and farmhouse-style massing. Large shade trees frame the scene, and a dirt yard runs across the foreground where mounted riders move among a group of horses. A standing man in a long coat and hat anchors the figures, and the plate's irregular edge and rectangular frame keep the picture rooted in its original form.

Meaning & Symbolism

The courthouse is a colonial-era brick building, raised between the 1730s and 1750s, and it stands among the oldest courthouses in continuous use in the United States. Union troops passed through the county repeatedly in 1862, 1863 and 1864. In the course of those campaigns the building was damaged and rifled, and many valuable county records were lost. Gardner's Sketchbook of the Civil War recorded it as Plate No. 68, and the photograph shows it from behind rather than from its formal front façade. That choice makes the picture a witness to wartime disruption rather than a polished architectural portrait.

Thinking of the Mug in Hand

A mug is turned slowly in the hands, so the scene wraps around the cup as you rotate it, the trees and riders passing by one at a time. The rear view suits that slow reveal: it rewards a longer look over a morning coffee, much as the photograph rewards close study. Each sip brings the old courthouse back into view, a quiet reminder of the history that passed through its yard.

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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.