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USA - Northwestern (1950) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

USA - Northwestern (1950) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
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USA - Northwestern (1950) - Black Mug Design

This design is a 1950 National Geographic map of the Northwestern United States and the neighbouring Canadian provinces, drawn with the care that magazine cartography was known for.

Visual Elements & Composition

The map is built around its borders. State lines for Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming run across the main field, and they meet the southern edges of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan without a break, so the international line reads as one continuous frame. Set into the wider view is an inset of the Puget Sound region, enlarged so that its shoreline and inlets receive far more detail than the surrounding land. The result is a layout that moves from broad regional overview to close local study in a single image.

Meaning & Symbolism

The map was compiled by the Cartographic Section of the National Geographic and published in June 1950, with Gilbert Grosvenor serving as Editor of The National Geographic Magazine. Its emphasis tells you as much as its outlines do. The Puget Sound inset signals the region's maritime access, settlements and transport links, the places the editors judged worth magnifying in 1950. The shared frame of the US and Canadian provinces also reflects how North American geography was understood in the mid-twentieth century, as one interconnected landscape divided by political lines. It stands as a primary source for that period's view of the region.

Turning the Map in Hand

A mug is a surface you turn rather than look at head-on. As the cup rotates, the boundaries and the Puget Sound inset pass across the eye in sequence, the way a reader moves through an atlas page by page. The curve of the body keeps the northern border and the southern states in view together, so the map always seems to be unfolding. Whether it is your first coffee or a late cup of cocoa, the design rewards a slow turn, which suits a piece of cartography that was meant to be studied.

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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.