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Sergeant B. F. Smith Of Company B, 52nd Virginia Infantry Regiment, And Company F, 1st Virginia Cavalry Regiment (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Sergeant B. F. Smith Of Company B, 52nd Virginia Infantry Regiment, And Company F, 1st Virginia Cavalry Regiment (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

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Regular price $17.99 USD
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Sergeant B. F. Smith Of Company B, 52nd Virginia Infantry Regiment, And Company F, 1st Virginia Cavalry Regiment (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This design takes a hand-tinted tintype of a Civil War soldier and sets it inside an ornate case, so the man looks out at you as if from a century and a half ago.

Visual Elements & Composition

A seated man in a buttoned jacket and bow tie fills a rounded rectangular portrait opening, his face the clear focal point. Around him, an ornate gold diamond-pattern case frame gives the image its structure, and a draped table or pedestal anchors the figure below. The palette is restrained: antique gold dominates, warmed by dusty brown and softened by pale grey and slate green, with near black deepening the edges. The result reads as a document rather than a decoration, quiet and deliberate.

Meaning & Symbolism

The portrait commemorates Sergeant B. F. Smith, a documented Confederate soldier of the American Civil War. His service record places him in two Virginia units: Company B of the 52nd Virginia Infantry Regiment, where he fought on foot to hold lines, and Company F of the 1st Virginia Cavalry Regiment, where soldiers rode for combat, scouting and reconnaissance. Moving between the two reflects the shifting demands of wartime, when manpower needs and individual skills often decided where a man was posted. The image's meaning rests on that record, and the hand-tinted case of the 1860s gives it the feel of a family keepsake.

Made to Be Turned in the Hand

A mug is held close and turned slowly, so the story here unfolds in stages. Each rotation brings the gold frame and the seated sergeant back into view, one side at a time, much like the case of a tintype passed from hand to hand. Pour a morning coffee and the portrait keeps you company, a reminder that history is often best savoured one sip at a time. It makes a thoughtful pick for the history buff in your life who would rather talk about a soldier's transfers than the weather.

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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.