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James River, Va. Deck And Turret Of U.S.S. Monitor Seen From The Bow (I.E. Stern) (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

James River, Va. Deck And Turret Of U.S.S. Monitor Seen From The Bow (I.E. Stern) (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

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Regular price $17.99 USD
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James River, Va. Deck And Turret Of U.S.S. Monitor Seen From The Bow (I.E. Stern) (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This black-and-white historical photograph shows the deck and turret of the U.S.S. Monitor, taken from the stern as the ironclad sits on the James River in Virginia.

Visual Elements & Composition

Charcoal, light grey and mid grey do most of the work here, with near-black shadows anchoring the darkest areas of the deck. The iron turret rises as a solid cylinder and dominates the frame, its canopy-covered top cutting a clean horizontal against the flat expanse of the deck. Naval officers stand on the deck beside it, small against the bulk of the vessel, so the eye moves from the ship's low profile up to the turret and back again. The composition has no text or numerals, only the structure of the ship and the people who worked on it.

Meaning & Symbolism

The Monitor was built to change naval warfare, and this view makes its engineering the story. The revolving turret and low, flat deck were a new answer to wooden warships, and the men on deck were the crew who sailed her through the Civil War. Shot in the 1860s, the photograph records a vessel and a waterway at the centre of a conflict that shaped the American navy for decades.

Brewing a Little History

A mug is turned in the hand, so the image never sits still. As you rotate it, the turret's curve follows the curve of the cup, and the deck slides into view across the surface. Settle in with a morning coffee and the Monitor sails past one sip at a time, a quiet reminder that history is best enjoyed close up and slowly.

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.