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Russia - Western Soviet Union (1959) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

Russia - Western Soviet Union (1959) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
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Russia - Western Soviet Union (1959) - Black Mug Design

This design is a cartographic map of the western Soviet Union as it stood in 1959, drawn as a reference document of its moment rather than as decoration.

Visual Elements & Composition

The map is built around geography. Borders, rivers and the outlines of the western republics organise the whole surface, and the eye moves across them the way it would across a desk-sized chart. Place names and lettering carry the information, so the design reads as text and line before it reads as picture. Nothing is pictorial or ornamental; the composition is the map itself, laid out edge to edge.

Meaning & Symbolism

A map from 1959 records a particular political order. The title places the territory under the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War, when the western frontier of the USSR was a line that Europe watched closely. Maps of this kind were produced to inform, to instruct and to assert a national view of territory, so the design carries the authority of its origin along with its geography. Looking at it now, the viewer reads a snapshot of how one state drew its own borders in a single year.

Turning It in the Hand

A mug is held and turned, so the map is experienced in fragments: a stretch of border passes under the lips, then the handle interrupts, then the outline returns on the other side. That rotation suits a map, which was always meant to be read by moving around it. Each sip is a small chance to trace another region, a quiet, slightly cheeky bit of geography for anyone who likes their history with their coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

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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.