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Unidentified Graduating Cadet In Military Trousers And Mortarboard (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Unidentified Graduating Cadet In Military Trousers And Mortarboard (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
Regular price Sale price $17.99 USD
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Unidentified Graduating Cadet In Military Trousers And Mortarboard (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

This design shows a young man seated in a mortarboard cap, a graduation emblem he wears with the bearing of someone already dressed for service.

Visual Elements & Composition

The image is a hand-tinted tintype or ambrotype, and the tinting gives it its character. Antique gold dominates the palette, warming the frame and the figure's skin, while charcoal anchors the dark jacket and the cap. Pale grey lifts the lighter areas, and two small notes of colour stand out: a dusty blue bow tie and a rose pink tassel swinging from the mortarboard. The portrait sits in an oval-cornered vignette within an embossed gilt case frame, so the eye moves from the tassel and bow tie inward to the face. No lettering appears in the artwork itself.

Meaning & Symbolism

The mortarboard stands for formal education completed, and the trousers and dark jacket stand for the structured life that follows. Put together, they describe a figure at the threshold between study and duty, the moment a student becomes a cadet. The 1860s setting places this within the American Civil War era, when military academies and volunteer regiments shaped young men's lives. Because the subject is unnamed, the portrait speaks for a whole generation of graduates who traded the lecture hall for the field.

On the Black Mug

A mug is turned slowly in the hand, so the image is seen in pieces, one slice of the vignette at a time, as the cup rotates over a morning coffee. The dark ground of the print sits close to the black body of the mug, so the gilt frame and the rose pink tassel appear to float against the glaze. It is a quiet, reflective image for a quiet, reflective moment with a warm drink.

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.