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Portrait Of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, Officer Of The Confederate Army (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Portrait Of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, Officer Of The Confederate Army (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
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Portrait Of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, Officer Of The Confederate Army (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This is a formal studio portrait of General Edmund Kirby Smith, shown as a bearded officer in full Confederate uniform.

Visual Elements & Composition

The image is a black and white photographic portrait with no colour to distract from the subject. Mid grey and light grey carry most of the frame, with charcoal shadows deepening the uniform and off-white highlights lifting the face and collar. The man fills the centre of the plate, facing the viewer with a steady gaze. His double-breasted frock coat is fastened with a row of brass buttons, and a high collar with embroidered trim frames his face. The composition is simple and upright, with nothing in the background competing for attention.

Meaning & Symbolism

Portraits like this one were built to project authority. The uniform, the buttons and the embroidered collar signalled rank and position, and in 1860s military portraiture those details served as both personal keepsakes and historical records. Smith was born in 1824 in St. Augustine, Florida, graduated from West Point and served in the U.S. Army before joining the Confederacy. He is best remembered for commanding the Trans-Mississippi Department, which oversaw Confederate forces west of the Mississippi River in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. Archival images of him, preserved in collections such as the Library of Congress, document that career and the visual culture of 19th-century American military leadership.

Designed to Be Turned in the Hand

A mug asks to be held and turned, so this portrait reveals itself a little at a time. Rotating the cup brings the formal frock coat and brass buttons into view, and the stern, composed face sits at eye level as you lift it. Each sip becomes a short moment with a historical figure, which suits anyone who enjoys reading the story behind an old photograph over a 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.