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Portrait Of Secretary Of State William H. Seward, Officer Of The United States Government (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Portrait Of Secretary Of State William H. Seward, Officer Of The United States Government (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

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Regular price $17.99 USD
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Portrait Of Secretary Of State William H. Seward, Officer Of The United States Government (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This is a formal Civil War-era photographic portrait of William H. Seward, United States Secretary of State, seated and composed with the gravity of a man steering the nation through its darkest years.

Visual Elements & Composition

The photograph is almost entirely monochrome, with light grey filling most of the frame and charcoal anchoring the darkest areas, supported by off-white highlights and mid grey tones. The sitter, an elderly man in a dark suit and bow tie, sits in a wooden armchair with carved scroll arms, a top hat and walking cane resting beside him. The image keeps the worn borders of an original print, and a small numeral, 1431, appears within the frame. Nothing competes with the figure: the composition is calm, centred and deliberate.

Meaning & Symbolism

The portrait records Seward's official standing as an officer of the United States government. He served under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson from 1861 to 1865, a period when the federal government was fighting for its own survival. The top hat and cane signal the formal public life of a 19th-century statesman, while the upright pose and sober dress carry the dignity expected of a cabinet member. The image was created between 1860 and 1865 as a glass-negative photograph using the wet collodion process, for Brady's National Photographic Portrait Galleries, and it is preserved in the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. It is a primary source as much as a portrait.

Turning the Story in Your Hand

A mug is held and turned, so this portrait reveals itself a little at a time. As the cup rotates, the seated statesman passes slowly across the eye, the charcoal suit and pale grey background shifting against the black base. It suits a slow morning and a long conversation, and it gives the quiet, serious tone of the original photograph a warm and everyday setting.

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.