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USA - North Carolina, Tennessee (1889) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

USA - North Carolina, Tennessee (1889) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
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USA - North Carolina, Tennessee (1889) - Black Mug Design

This design is a map of North Carolina and Tennessee, dated 1889, printed as a single pale-on-black survey of two neighbouring southern states.

Visual Elements & Composition

The black field fills the whole print, so the map's lines do the work. The two states sit side by side, their borders drawn as fine strokes that meet and part where the Appalachian ridges divide them. Place names and the 1889 date appear as small lettering across the surface, reading as a document rather than a decoration. Nothing competes for attention, and the composition stays flat and orderly.

Meaning & Symbolism

A map from 1889 records how people in that decade understood the land: state boundaries, towns and routes set down with the confidence of a new century nearly in view. North Carolina and Tennessee are linked by a long shared border and by the mountains that run through both, so the pairing is a study in neighbours. The date anchors the piece in the late nineteenth century, when printed maps were the main way most households saw the shape of their country.

On the Black Mug

A mug is turned in the hand, so the map never appears all at once. Each quarter turn brings another stretch of border and lettering into view, the way you would trace a route with a finger. The handle sits on one side of the map, and the lines run continuously around the body, so the sense of two states meeting at a border carries round the curve of the cup.

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.