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Charleston Harbor, S.C. Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren (Fifth From Left) And Staff Aboard U.S.S. Pawnee (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Charleston Harbor, S.C. Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren (Fifth From Left) And Staff Aboard U.S.S. Pawnee (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

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Charleston Harbor, S.C. Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren (Fifth From Left) And Staff Aboard U.S.S. Pawnee (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This is a black and white photograph of Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren and his staff aboard the Union warship USS Pawnee, taken in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, on June 17, 1865.

Visual Elements & Composition

Light grey dominates the frame, with charcoal and mid grey carrying the shadows and near-black giving the deepest accents. Nine uniformed officers stand in loose rows across the warship's deck, their swords and belts catching the light, while one seated officer holds his sword upright at the centre of the group. Diagonal rigging lines cut across the background and lead the eye toward the men, so the composition feels ordered and formal.

Meaning & Symbolism

The photograph records Union naval leadership at the close of the Civil War. Dahlgren, fifth from the left, stands among his officers as a reminder of the command structure that directed the Federal Navy's blockades and seaborne operations against the Confederacy. The steam-powered sloop-of-war beneath them represents the technology that carried those campaigns. Preserved in the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, the image belongs to the institution's collection of Civil War glass negatives and related prints, and it stands as a primary visual record of 1865 at Charleston Harbor.

Turning the Scene in Your Hand

A mug is turned in the hand as it is drunk from, so the photograph reveals itself a section at a time. The officers and their rigging wrap around the curve of the cup, and the black ground frames the grey tones the way a dark deck frames its crew. It makes a fitting companion for a slow morning coffee, a pause to reflect on a moment of history.

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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.