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Unidentified Soldier In Union Uniform And Unidentified Young Man Sitting On The Ground And Whittling (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Unidentified Soldier In Union Uniform And Unidentified Young Man Sitting On The Ground And Whittling (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

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Regular price $17.99 USD
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Unidentified Soldier In Union Uniform And Unidentified Young Man Sitting On The Ground And Whittling (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

Two men from the 1860s share one quiet moment in this tintype-style scene: a soldier in Union blue and a young man whittling on the ground beside him.

Visual Elements & Composition

Warm grey dominates the image, with dark brown and antique gold running through the tree trunk, the ground and the figures' clothing. Dusty olive grey and pale tan add a worn, sun-faded softness. The scene sits inside an arched portrait vignette framed by an ornate rectangular case, so the eye moves from the frame to the figures and back again. The soldier sits against the tree in his standard-issue uniform and forage cap, while the young man sits low in shirtsleeves and suspenders, knife in hand.

Meaning & Symbolism

The soldier stands for the organised military world of the Northern infantry and the common men who carried its weight. The young man stands for the other side of camp life: the stretches of waiting, the small hobbies that kept hands and minds busy. Whittling was a way of holding on to personal focus while a nationwide conflict pressed in from every direction. Photographs like this one, drawn from the archival traditions of institutions such as the Library of Congress and the National Archives, give a rare, unposed look at 1861 to 1865 as the people who lived it experienced it.

Designed for the Hand

A mug is turned in the hand and read at close range, so this vignette rewards a slow look. The arched frame suits the curve of the cup, and the two figures sit close enough to share the same quiet corner of your morning. It is a sensible companion for a coffee break, the kind of cup that invites a second look at a small, human moment from the past.

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.