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USA - North Central (1948) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

USA - North Central (1948) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
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USA - North Central (1948) - Black Mug Design

This is a map of the North Central United States, dated 1948, drawn to show the region's states and their borders as they stood at the end of the 1940s.

Visual Elements & Composition

The map gives the region its full width, with state boundaries as the main structure and the names of states and principal places set into the land areas. Its layout is orderly and reference-like. Nothing is decorative for its own sake: the lines do the work, and the eye moves across the grid of borders from one state to the next. The date sits within the design as a printed fact, so the artwork reads as a record of a particular moment rather than a generic landscape.

Meaning & Symbolism

A map of this kind stands for a shared sense of place. The North Central states were defined by farmland, river valleys and the Great Lakes shoreline, and the 1948 date fixes the picture in the years after the Second World War, when the country was measuring its own growth. Maps like this were made to be consulted and kept, which is why they still carry a quiet authority. The design asks you to find your own state, trace a river or follow a route you once took.

Turning the Map in Your Hands

A mug is a surface you turn as you drink, so the map never sits still for long. Each rotation brings a different stretch of the region into view, and the handle sets which side faces you. The design is made for that slow turning, a small atlas that rewards a second look while the coffee cools.

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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.