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James Mcgrail In Union Uniform With Shoulder Scales And Eagle Breast Plate Sitting With A Musket And Bayonet In Scabbard (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

James Mcgrail In Union Uniform With Shoulder Scales And Eagle Breast Plate Sitting With A Musket And Bayonet In Scabbard (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

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Regular price $17.99 USD
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James Mcgrail In Union Uniform With Shoulder Scales And Eagle Breast Plate Sitting With A Musket And Bayonet In Scabbard (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This is a formal soldier's portrait from the American Civil War, showing James McGrail in Union uniform seated with his musket and bayonet beside him.

Visual Elements & Composition

The design is built around the figure. The young soldier sits in a dark uniform, with his rifle held across his body, and the eye settles on the structured detail of his dress: the shoulder scales, the eagle breastplate, and the oval cartridge-box plate on the crossbelt. A kepi with its insignia and an oval waist buckle complete the outfit. The palette leans on gold, dark navy and soft grey, with a touch of pink warming the skin tones. The image has the look of a hand-coloured tintype photograph, presented in a rectangular gilt case, and a small numeral 20 sits within the frame.

Meaning & Symbolism

Every object in the portrait tells you about the man's service. Shoulder scales marked rank and unit in the 1860s, and the eagle on the breastplate stands for the national identity the Union army fought to preserve. The musket and the bayonet resting in its scabbard speak to the soldier's readiness, while the seated pose lends the picture a dignity that was typical of the period's portraiture. Hand-colouring was a way of making a sober photograph feel personal, and the gilt frame signals that the sitter was a figure worth keeping.

Turning the Story in Hand

A mug is a piece you hold close and turn slowly, so the portrait reveals itself a section at a time. The soldier's uniform and his musket wrap around the curve, and each turn brings the next detail into view, from the insignia on the kepi to the bayonet at his side. It makes a fitting gift for a reader of Civil War history, and a good excuse to linger over the details of a period portrait with your morning coffee.

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.