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USA - Ohio Valley 1 (1985) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

USA - Ohio Valley 1 (1985) (Map) Black Coffee Mug

100 in stock

Regular price $17.99 USD
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USA - Ohio Valley 1 (1985) - Black Mug Design

This design is a map of the Ohio Valley, drawn as a single sheet of cartographic information and set against a black field.

Visual Elements & Composition

The map fills the surface as one continuous image rather than a border-framed panel, so the eye reads it as a landscape first and a chart second. The black ground does most of the work. It pushes the map's lines and labels forward, and it gives the whole piece the quiet contrast of a night-time reference sheet. The title carries the year, 1985, which anchors the image to a specific moment in mapmaking rather than to a general idea of the region.

Meaning & Symbolism

A valley map is really a story about water and movement. The Ohio Valley took its shape from the river that gives it a name, and every settlement, road and boundary on a map of it follows that course. Naming the design after a region and a date makes it a record of how the country was surveyed and understood in the mid-1980s, which is why it reads as a document as much as a decoration. For anyone who has ever traced a route with a finger, that is the pull of it.

Turning the Artwork Into a Daily Ritual

A mug is held and turned, so a map on one is never seen all at once. The handle sets the front, and as the cup moves through the hand, rivers and place names slide in and out of view, the way a route unfolds on a long drive. The black ground makes that unfolding feel deliberate. It is a good companion for a slow first coffee, when there is time to find a town you half-remember, or to wonder where the next one lies.

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.