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Portrait Of Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, Officer Of The Federal Army (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Portrait Of Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, Officer Of The Federal Army (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
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Portrait Of Maj. Gen. William B. Franklin, Officer Of The Federal Army (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This is a formal studio portrait of Major General William B. Franklin, a Union commander of the American Civil War, rendered in the stern black-and-white tones of a 19th-century photograph.

Visual Elements & Composition

Mid grey dominates the image, with charcoal shadows and pale grey highlights carrying the detail. Franklin sits in an upholstered wooden armchair with turned finials, his body squared to the lens, dressed in a dark button-front coat with shoulder insignia. The pose is rigid and centred, and the photographic plate's dark border frames him like a formal record. Nothing in the frame is decorative; every line serves the figure.

Meaning & Symbolism

The uniform and upright posture were meant to announce rank and authority, and the portrait's composure signals the discipline expected of a field officer. Franklin, who lived from 1823 to 1903, led the VI Corps and fought in the Peninsula Campaign and at Fredericksburg. He is remembered both as a wartime commander and as a post-war civil engineer, which gives this image its second meaning: it shows how a 19th-century officer chose to present himself to history.

Holding the Story

A mug is turned in the hand, so the portrait reveals itself in stages. Franklin's upright figure sits against the dark ground of the black mug, and as the cup rotates, the armchair, the coat and the steady gaze come into view one by one. It makes a quiet conversation piece for a morning coffee or a slow evening tea, and a sharp reminder of the officers who shaped the nation's history.

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.