Home / Color Changing Coffee Mugs / Mollie Knopp Zigler, Left, and Betty Hoover, Right ; Unidentified Midshipman in Confederate Uniform With Book (U.S. Civil War) Color Changing Mug 11oz
  • Mollie Knopp Zigler, Left, and Betty Hoover, Right ; Unidentified Midshipman in Confederate Uniform With Book (U.S. Civil War) Color Changing Coffee Mug 11oz Default Title 11oz - Go Mug Yourself
  • Mollie Knopp Zigler, Left, and Betty Hoover, Right ; Unidentified Midshipman in Confederate Uniform With Book (U.S. Civil War) Color Changing Coffee Mug 11oz - Go Mug Yourself
  • Mollie Knopp Zigler, Left, and Betty Hoover, Right ; Unidentified Midshipman in Confederate Uniform With Book (U.S. Civil War) Color Changing Coffee Mug 11oz - Go Mug Yourself
  • Mollie Knopp Zigler, Left, and Betty Hoover, Right ; Unidentified Midshipman in Confederate Uniform With Book (U.S. Civil War) Color Changing Coffee Mug 11oz - Go Mug Yourself
  • Mollie Knopp Zigler, Left, and Betty Hoover, Right ; Unidentified Midshipman in Confederate Uniform With Book (U.S. Civil War) Color Changing Coffee Mug 11oz - Go Mug Yourself
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Mollie Knopp Zigler, Left, and Betty Hoover, Right ; Unidentified Midshipman in Confederate Uniform With Book (U.S. Civil War) Color Changing Mug 11oz

Mollie Knopp Zigler, Left, and Betty Hoover, Right ; Unidentified Midshipman in Confederate Uniform With Book (U.S. Civil War) Color Changing Mug 11oz

100 in stock

$17.99 USD
$17.99 USD
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Mollie Knopp Zigler, Left, and Betty Hoover, Right; Unidentified Midshipman in Confederate Uniform With Book - Color Morphing Mug Design

A hand-colored Civil War ambrotype shows three people posed together: two women flanking a young man in a Confederate Navy midshipman's uniform, who holds a book.

Visual Elements & Composition

The composition is formal and centred. The midshipman stands between the two women, so the eye moves across the frame from Mollie Knopp Zigler on the left, to the uniformed young man, to Betty Hoover on the right. The palette is muted and sombre, with the hand-applied colour sitting softly over the old glass plate. The book in his hands is the one object held out to the viewer, and it draws attention in an otherwise still, stiff pose. The picture is printed as two photographs housed in a single case, which gives it a doubled, almost diptych-like presence.

Meaning & Symbolism

The Confederate Navy midshipman's uniform places the young man directly within the Confederacy's naval service during the war years of 1861 to 1865. The women's names are recorded in the title, but their exact roles and relationships to him are not documented. The book may signal learning or serve as a personal keepsake, and its meaning is undocumented. The portrait comes from the Liljenquist Family Collection of Civil War Photographs at the Library of Congress, and it preserves the likenesses of people whose lives were shaped by one of the most turbulent periods in American history.

Why It Works on a Mug

A mug is turned in the hand and viewed from close range, so the three figures come into view one side at a time as the cup is rotated. The colour-changing surface adds a quiet reveal: the image appears as the mug warms, much as a faded photograph would come back into focus. The artwork is a historical record worth keeping close, and this 11oz mug gives it a daily, handheld setting.

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Color-changing ceramic mugs with a glossy finish, black exterior, and white interior. Available in one size: 11 oz (≈330 ml). Heat-reactive coating reveals your custom design when filled with hot liquid. BPA- and lead-free, with a comfortable C-handle.

This mug brings a playful twist to the daily coffee or tea ritual. At room temperature, it looks like a simple black mug with a glossy finish. But add a hot beverage, and your chosen design fades into view, showing vivid colors against the white interior.

The ceramic body is durable enough for repeated use, while the C-shaped handle balances comfort and grip. Printing uses sublimation techniques that fuse color into the heat-reactive surface for crisp results when the design appears.

  • Material: ceramic with glossy black exterior and white interior.
  • Size: one standard size, 11 oz (≈330 ml).
  • Finish: glossy glaze with heat-sensitive surface.
  • Printing: sublimation process produces crisp, vibrant colors.
  • Safety: BPA-free and lead-free, suitable for everyday drinks.
  • Effect: design is faintly visible when cold, fully revealed when hot.

Perfect as a novelty gift or a fun personal mug, the heat-reactive design makes coffee breaks more engaging. It works well for morning coffee, afternoon tea, or hot chocolate.

  1. Daily routine: fill with any hot beverage to reveal your chosen artwork.
  2. Gifting: the “magic” reveal makes it a memorable present for birthdays, holidays, or office exchanges.
  3. Office use: sparks conversation while still being practical for everyday drinks.

Note: for best results, avoid designs that rely heavily on deep black backgrounds, as they may blend with the mug’s surface when cold.

Unlike standard mugs, color-changing mugs require gentler care to preserve the heat-reactive coating. Hand-wash only — avoid the dishwasher and abrasive scrubbers, which can damage the finish and reduce the effect.

The mug is safe for short microwave use when heating liquids, but repeated high-heat cycles may shorten the lifespan of the coating. Always allow the mug to cool before washing.

Available in one classic size: 11 oz (approximately 330 ml). It’s large enough for most standard coffee makers and fits comfortably in most cabinets.

Size guide

All measurements are product dimensions in inches.

11 oz
Height (in) 3.78
Diameter (in) 3.23
Diameter w/ handle (in) 4.76

Note: measurements are approximate; slight variations may occur due to manufacturing tolerances.