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Unidentified African American Soldier In Union Uniform In Front Of Painted Backdrop Showing Military Camp (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Unidentified African American Soldier In Union Uniform In Front Of Painted Backdrop Showing Military Camp (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
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Unidentified African American Soldier In Union Uniform In Front Of Painted Backdrop Showing Military Camp (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This design presents a dignified portrait of an African American soldier in Union uniform, posed before a painted military camp backdrop from the American Civil War.

Visual Elements & Composition

Dark brown dominates the picture and sets the soldier's uniform in shadow, while antique gold picks out the brass buttons, the round badge and the gilt edging of the case. Muted grey-green and dusty red fill the painted camp scene and the striped flag at the edge of the frame, and a band of pink velvet lines the opening. The composition is restrained. The soldier sits at the centre, and nothing else competes with him. No lettering or numerals appear anywhere in the image.

Meaning & Symbolism

This is a hand-tinted tintype from the 1860s, a format made to be kept, carried and handed down. The camp backdrop belongs to the studio tradition of the period, a painted stand-in for the army life the sitter had just left. The Union uniform and the steady pose stand for the service of African American troops, who fought for the Union and whose place in its ranks this portrait commemorates.

Made for the Hand

A mug is turned in the hand before it is lifted, so the portrait reveals itself in stages. The soldier's face comes round first, and the camp scene wraps across the curve as you rotate the cup. It suits a slow morning ritual of coffee and quiet reading, the kind of small object history lovers keep close. On a mug, this portrait becomes something you handle every day rather than something you only glance at on a wall.

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.