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Portrait Of Secretary Of The Interior John P. Usher, Officer Of The United States Government (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Portrait Of Secretary Of The Interior John P. Usher, 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 The Interior John P. Usher, Officer Of The United States Government (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This is a formal 19th-century photographic portrait of John P. Usher, who served as United States Secretary of the Interior in Abraham Lincoln's cabinet during the Civil War.

Visual Elements & Composition

The image is a black and white photograph built from soft light greys, deep charcoal and a few off-white highlights. The standing figure dominates the frame, dressed in a double-breasted frock coat and bow tie, with a sober, unsmiling bearing. Around him sit an ornate carved wooden chair with a scrolled back, a stack of books on a carved side table and a draped curtain, all arranged in the traditional studio manner of the period. The photograph's worn borders are still visible, a reminder that it is a physical object with a history.

Meaning & Symbolism

The portrait is a documentary record rather than an allegory. Its props, the books, the carved furniture and the formal dress, signal learning, standing and public office, which is exactly how state photography of the era wanted its sitters remembered. Usher held his post in the later years of the Civil War, when the Union was fighting for its survival, and as Interior Secretary he oversaw public lands, Native American affairs and government buildings. The image comes from the Civil War Glass Negatives and Related Prints series at the Library of Congress, dated roughly 1860 to 1870, and it stands as a direct link to Lincoln's wartime administration.

Cup in Hand, History in View

A mug is turned slowly in the hand and read at close range, so every detail of this photograph stays in view as the coffee goes down. The figure faces the drinker across the curve of the cup, and the carved chair and draped curtain wrap around the ceramic as the mug rotates. It is a quietly cheeky way to keep a serious piece of Civil War history on the desk at breakfast.

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.